As members of the British Parliament debate proposed legislation that would allow medically assisted death for terminally ill adults in England and Wales, BBC News published an article this week detailing one man’s experience with the process here in California. 

The thought-provoking piece — linked here — tells the story of 80-year-old Wayne Hawkins, a former resident of Arcata, who, after suffering from chronic pain, heart failure and “a myriad of other health issues,” decided to pursue medical aid-in-dying, which was legalized in California through the End of Life Options Act of 2016. The law allows terminally ill adults with a life expectancy of six months or less and the mental capacity to make the choice to request medication that will hasten their death. 

After Hawkins’ request was approved by two doctors, he invited BBC News to his San Diego home to share his perspective on the controversial aid-in-dying process and observe his final day alongside his family.

“Britain is pretty good with freedoms and this is just another one,” Hawkins told BBC News. “People should be able to choose the time of their death as long as they meet the rules like six months to live or less.”

While proponents of medically assisted death — often dubbed “death with dignity” — view the process as a compassionate option for people facing terminal illness and suffering, opponents argue that it is morally wrong. Dr. Vincent Nguyen, a palliative care specialist interviewed in the BBC’s article, asserted that aid-in-dying laws “lead to ‘silent coercion’ whereby vulnerable people think their only option is to die.”

The article’s author, Medical Editor Fergus Walsh, continues:

This isn’t just a story about one man’s death in California - it’s about what could become a reality here in England and Wales for those who qualify for an assisted death and choose to die this way.

Whether you’re for or against the proposed new Westminster law, the death of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional time for a family. Each death leaves an imprint, as will Wayne’s.

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LINK: California man invites BBC to witness his death as MPs debate assisted dying