**Daughter Raises Concerns After Father’s Assisted Dying in Switzerland**
The daughter of a man who made the tough choice to travel to Switzerland for an assisted death is urging MPs to back legislation on assisted dying. John Hawkins, 66, decided to end his life on September 27, 2024, after an 18-month battle with motor neurone disease (MND), a condition his late father also suffered from. Concerned about becoming too ill to travel after a severe fall, John chose to go to Switzerland earlier than initially planned. Nicola Hawkins, 24, his daughter, revealed that her father worried about being “trapped” in the UK and believes that legalising assisted dying could have granted them more time together. She advocates for terminally ill individuals to have the autonomy to choose their moment of passing.
Nicola, who works in Manchester as a CCTV trainer, emphasises the importance of individual choice when it comes to end-of-life decisions. She highlights that assisted dying is not about being coerced but about providing a compassionate option for those facing unbearable suffering. Despite her support for the upcoming parliamentary vote on assisted dying legislation, Nicola acknowledges that the UK may not be fully ready for such a change. She shares that in April 2022, her father received the devastating MND diagnosis, a condition that his father had also wrestled with before passing away in 2012.
Witnessing his father’s decline, John understood the grim progression of MND and opted for an assisted death to avoid a similar fate. Nicola reveals that her father’s active lifestyle drastically changed post-diagnosis, and his decision was informed by the experience of watching his father’s health deteriorate. She reflects on his choice to end his life with dignity and believes that everyone facing terminal illnesses in the UK should have the same right. Additionally, Nicola recalls the challenges they faced as a family travelling to Switzerland for John’s assisted death.
Following an emotional 18-month journey, John, along with his wife Lynn Hawkins, 56, and daughter Nicola, travelled to Dignitas, where he peacefully passed away surrounded by his loved ones. Nicola narrates the difficulties they encountered in a foreign land without the needed support. She expresses anxiety over the possibility of facing legal repercussions due to assisting in her father’s suicide, as such actions are illegal in the UK. Nicola describes her father’s fear of being unable to travel due to his deteriorating health and the uncertainty of what the future held for him.
Reflecting on the bravery and vulnerability her father displayed throughout his ordeal, Nicola emphasises the need for a compassionate approach to end-of-life care. She hopes that the assisted dying bill will succeed but recognises the current challenges in shifting societal perspectives on the matter. Nicola underscores the importance of dying with dignity for individuals suffering from incurable, painful, and terminal conditions. Despite the legal complexities involved, Nicola believes in advocating for the rights of terminally ill individuals to have autonomy over their final moments.
Nicola’s poignant story sheds light on the complexities and emotional toll faced by families navigating end-of-life decisions, especially when legal frameworks fall short of addressing their needs. Her call for greater compassion and understanding in legislation concerning assisted dying resonates with many individuals in similar situations. As the debate on assisted dying continues, Nicola’s experiences serve as a compelling narrative urging society to consider the humane and dignified treatment of those facing terminal illnesses.