Catie’s mother, Alison, was described as an ‘incredible lady’ by her daughter. In February 2023, Alison traveled to Switzerland to a Dignitas clinic with the intention of ending her life with the assistance of medical staff. This decision was made after Alison’s health began to deteriorate due to motor neurone disease. Catie and her sister accompanied their mother to the airport, knowing they would never see her again. However, they also faced the possibility of their father being stopped and charged for facilitating the trip, adding to the stress of the situation.
The issue of assisted dying in the UK is highly charged and will be voted on by MPs for the first time in nine years on November 29. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has allowed a free vote on the issue, with his cabinet split on their opinions. Catie, who lives in Oxfordshire, believes that the current approach to assisted dying in the UK adds unnecessary complications and stress to already painful situations for families like hers. Despite the passionate arguments on both sides of the debate, Catie advocates for a change in the law to allow for assisted dying in the UK.
Alison, a university lecturer and talented musician, decided to end her life at the Dignitas clinic after her diagnosis of motor neurone disease in May 2022. She kept her plans a secret from her daughters until October, ultimately choosing to spare her family the pain of watching her deteriorate further. Catie supported her mother’s decision, understanding the suffering that would come with the progression of the disease. Despite the emotional difficulty of saying goodbye at the airport, Catie and her sister held it together until their mother’s departure, at which point they collapsed in grief.
Catie’s father, David, was left to handle the aftermath of Alison’s death, including informing doctors of her absence from scheduled appointments and navigating the grief and stress of the situation. The lack of time to fully process her mother’s death added to Catie’s emotional burden. Since then, Catie has become involved in campaigning for assisted dying alongside Dignity in Dying, advocating for a change in the law to allow for more compassionate end-of-life options for those suffering from terminal illnesses. The upcoming vote in Parliament on November 29 will be crucial in determining the future of assisted dying in the UK.
Many MPs remain undecided on how they will vote on the issue, with opponents expressing concerns about the potential for coercion and the impact on other aspects of the NHS. The last vote on assisted dying in Parliament was in 2015, with a majority against the proposal. Catie’s advocacy efforts, along with those of other supporters, aim to highlight the need for more compassionate end-of-life options for terminally ill individuals in the UK. The emotional toll of Alison’s decision to end her life at the Dignitas clinic has prompted Catie to speak out in support of assisted dying as a necessary and humane choice for those facing terminal illnesses.
