I have always been an independent woman. And I will remain that way until I die,’ says Catherine. ‘I want to decide my fate myself. So also about my death. That is why I became a member of the Last Will cooperative and euthanasia will be performed when necessary.’
Suffering
Catherine has known for years that she wants to make this decision herself. ‘I saw it with my father who was in the hospital when both his legs were amputated. He didn’t want to live anymore. A life without legs was not a happy life for him. Why don’t they give me an injection? he asked me. I understood him. He would become so dependent on others. I then asked the doctors if he could get an injection. But I got the answer that they knew people who also have a happy life without legs. They wouldn’t cooperate with my father’s request.’ Eventually, her father stopped eating and starved to death. For Catherine, that was the moment she wanted it sorted for herself.
Independent
‘I am a woman alone, I have no partner and no children. There is some family, but I really won’t burden them when I need care. I have a lovely house that I would like to continue to live in. When that is no longer possible, life is no longer necessary for me. I’m going to go to a care home. That I have to be looked after by others when I’ve always been so independent… Then it’s done. The same goes for if I get cancer and the doctor said that chemo would give me extra years. Even then I say: It is enough. My life is finished.’
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