Peter Quarry, a psychologist, writes in The Brisbane Times and The Sydney Morning Herald that despite his long career, he is grappling with how to navigate likely conversations about voluntary assisted dying (VAD) with three close friends.
He recounts a friend, Sam, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease five years ago. When Quarry asked early on whether Sam had considered a "Plan B", Sam demurred, feeling optimistic about treatment breakthroughs. Now his condition is deteriorating, but Sam may be ineligible for VAD in Australia because he is unlikely to die soon. His alternatives include travelling overseas, perhaps to Switzerland, where the criteria are less restrictive.
Quarry says he is worried that time is running out for Sam to fully investigate these options. The piece highlights the delicate balance between supporting a friend through a deteriorating illness while avoiding any sense of coercion.