Roz Hervey, a 58-year-old former dancer and mother of two, utilized her final hours to advocate for more accessible Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) laws in Australia. Diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2022 and given a two-year prognosis, Hervey chose to pursue VAD to maintain control over her final days.
In a video recorded shortly before her death, Hervey pleaded for the Australian government to remove barriers to VAD. "It is so, so important that people have the opportunity to die with dignity," she stated. "I get to choose my beautiful surroundings, people who I love around me and dying in a calm, beautiful, and graceful way."
Hervey, who had an award-winning career in dance before settling in Adelaide, aimed to "curate" a peaceful death for herself and her loved ones. Her daughter, Tilda, a filmmaker, documented her mother's journey, including the challenges in accessing VAD in Australia.
VAD is currently legal in all Australian states and territories except the Northern Territory, which is in the final stages of legislation. However, a study by the VAD advocacy group Go Gentle revealed that only one in three Australians are aware of its availability for those with terminal illnesses.
Doctors in South Australia, where Hervey sought VAD, are prohibited from initiating discussions about the procedure with patients; patients must first inquire about it. Furthermore, a significant obstacle is the requirement for medical practitioners to confirm that a patient is expected to die within six to 12 months, depending on their condition, for a VAD permit to be approved.
Hervey expressed concern that this timeframe could lead to her losing bodily control before she qualified for the procedure, which was the primary reason she sought VAD. She had initially registered with Dignitas, an assisted dying program in Switzerland, but eventually secured an Australian VAD permit after her lung function began to decline.
"I am sitting here with my beautiful family on my last day, looking out over vineyards and listening to the birds sing," Hervey said in her final video message. "I would really encourage people to talk about this more. Allow doctors to talk to patients about it, allow the media to talk about it, so that everyone is aware of their right to die with dignity."
Hervey's family described the period leading up to her death as filled with joy, noting that confronting mortality had taught them how to live more fully. Her daughter Tilda highlighted the paradoxical happiness experienced while planning for and undergoing the VAD process.