When 56-year-old Wendy Duffy lost her son, Marcus Dolman, her life changed in ways she never expected. Marcus was her only child, and when he died, so did a part of Duffy. The mother lost her will to live and attempted to take her own life but survived. Though she’s physically well, Duffy is ready to leave her life behind. She will soon travel from her home in the United Kingdom to Switzerland for an approved assisted suicide at Pegasos Swiss Association. Duffy wants to die on her own terms and is grateful for the opportunity.
Marcus’ death changed Duffy completely.
According to the Daily Mail, Marcus, 23, died after choking on a tomato more than four years ago. Losing her only son had a profound impact on Duffy.
“They think he must have fallen asleep when he still had food in his mouth. That’s the only comfort, that there was no struggle,” Duffy told the news outlet.
Nine months after Marcus’ death, Duffy attempted suicide by drug overdose and wound up on a ventilator for two weeks. She said no amount of time or therapy will change her mind about wanting to die, and she’s ready for her journey to Switzerland.
Duffy awaited Pegasos’ approval.
She explained to Daily Mail that assisted suicide is not legal in the UK but is available in Switzerland. Right-to-die activist Ruedi Habegger founded Pegasos Swiss Association in 2019. Duffy believes it’s the right place for her to live her final moments. She believes the more than $13,000 she’s paid Pegasos to oversee her death is well worth the money.
“I could step off a motorway bridge or a tower block but that would leave anyone finding me dealing with that for the rest of their lives,” Duffy told Daily Mail.
Her family knows of her plans.
Duffy explained that her siblings know she intends to end her life at Pegasos, and she will have one final call with them before her death.
“Pegasos have been in touch with them. I will call them when I get to Switzerland. It will be a hard call where I’ll say goodbye and thank them,” Duffy said, per Daily Mail. “But they will get it. They know. Honestly, 100 per cent, they know that I’m not happy, that I don’t want to be here.”
Duffy, who chose Bruno Mars’ and Lady Gaga’s “Die with a Smile” as her last song, added that she wouldn’t travel if the service was available closer to home. “My life, my choice. I wish this was available in the UK, then I wouldn’t have to go to Switzerland at all,” she shared.
Duffy’s grief is certainly nothing any parent should ever have to face. Even though ending her life may not be a choice most people would make, she seems confident in her decision. We hope this brings her peace.
