Robert Munsch, a well-known children’s author famous for books like The Paper Bag Princess and Love You Forever, has received approval for medically assisted dying in Canada. Munsch, who has published over 85 books and sold more than 80 million copies worldwide—translated into at least 20 languages—was diagnosed with dementia in 2021 and also has Parkinson’s disease. He expressed in an interview with the New York Times Magazine that he has not determined a specific date for his death but will make that decision when he begins to face significant difficulties with communication.
Canada legalized euthanasia in 2016 initially for individuals with terminal illnesses. In 2021, this legislation was expanded to include people with serious and chronic physical conditions, even if not necessarily terminal. To qualify for assisted dying, individuals must be over 18 and meet several criteria, including having a serious, incurable illness and making a voluntary request without external pressure. Two independent medical professionals must then assess the person’s eligibility.
Munsch cited his brother’s death from Lou Gehrig’s disease as a significant influence on his decision, stating that he believed unnecessary interventions prolonged suffering. Scholastic, his publisher, acknowledged the impact of Munsch’s work in light of this announcement, and his daughter, Julie, noted on Facebook that her father’s decision to pursue medically assisted dying was made years ago, clarifying that he is not in immediate distress.
According to Canadian law, individuals must be able to actively consent on the day of their assisted death. As of 2023, medically assisted dying accounted for 4.7% of all deaths in Canada, with 96% of cases linked to severely foreseeable medical conditions like cancer.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c931y04jg1vo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss