Kimberly shares the deeply personal experience of supporting two loved ones through motor neurone disease and voluntary assisted dying. Rohan who declined rapidly after his 2020 diagnosis, discovered accessing VAD was slow and complex. It was worsened by institutional barriers and limited information, but ultimately his death via PEG-administered VAD was peaceful and the least traumatic part of his illness. When Kimberly’s mother was diagnosed with bulbar-onset MND, Kimberly used the knowledge she had gained to plan early, secure approvals, and preserve choice. Her story highlights the emotional toll of MND, the importance of timely information, and the profound value of autonomy at end of life. 

Comprehensive information on Voluntary Assisted Dying in Your State is provided on the Go Gentle website  at https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/vad_in_your_state or by contacting your State Health Department. 

If listening to this podcast raises distressing issues for you, please contact one of the following support services: 

Griefline (https://griefline.org.au/) 1300 845 745
Grief Australia (https://www.grief.org.au/) 1800 642 745
Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/) 13 11 14, or chat online 24 hours a day