Autonomy, dignity & the right to die

In 1983, Elizabeth Bouvia sought the right to die and began a nationwide debate in America about autonomy and the dignity of disabled people.

She was a young, quadriplegic woman who was stricken with cerebral palsy which left her bedridden and dependent on other people to perform all the activities associated with daily living.

Here was an intelligent woman, locked in a body which left her physically unable to care for herself. In 1983, at the age of 26, Elizabeth expressed a clear wish to end her life.

In the documentary Life After, showcased at this year’s BFI London Film Festival, director Reid Davenport tells Elizabeth’s story. Although Elizabeth’s story is a personal one, the narrative is timely as the assisted dying debate continues in this country.

Chronic illness

It has been posited in this publication that there is an irrationality in the Terminally