Eddie wanted to do a Reddit AMA - Ask me anything. You can find the AMA here:
www.reddit.com/r/AMA/comments/1c5veup/ama_im_dying_on_friday_medically_assisted_death/
My dear friend Eddie, a constant presence in my life for three decades, drew his final breath on the morning of April 19th in Zurich, Switzerland.
Our bond was forged thirty years ago when we first met as neighbors. From those early days, our friendship grew, evolving as we navigated the various stages of our lives together. We were more than just friends; we were schoolmates, military buddies, and eventually, roommates at the time of the fateful accident that would forever change the course of Eddie's life.
Eddie was the epitome of an adrenaline junkie. Among our entire group of friends, he stood out as the most talented and daring rider. Off the road, his trusty Toyota truck was his daily driver and off-roading companion, modified to handle any terrain. He often joked it was ready for the zombie apocalypse, a scenario he eagerly anticipated while watching shows like The Walking Dead.
Shooting guns in the desert was one of Eddie's greatest passions and all-time favorite hobbies. On weekends, he could be found playing hockey on his roller blades, showcasing his active and adventurous spirit.
On December 7th, 2014, Eddie went on his last ride. We were mountain biking, a new hobby for the both of us. We attempted a simple log jump, not higher than a couple of feet, but he made a small mistake and went flying over the handlebars and landed on his head. Despite wearing a full face helmet, the impact was too much. In that instant, Eddie was paralyzed from the neck down. In the medical terms, he was a C3 complete quadriplegic.
Eddie was initially optimistic, but as the gravity of his situation became clear, his hope began to wane. Driven by a passion for helping others, he had been working in the ER and was just weeks away from becoming a licensed RN. This made his keen understanding of the severity of his condition all the more heartbreaking.
After years of struggling with his condition, Eddie made the decision to travel to Switzerland for medically assisted death. It was the most straightforward path, and he was exhausted from the daily challenges he faced. While there were options available in the US, they required him to establish residency in a specific state for several months before he could proceed. Ultimately, he chose Switzerland. One aspect that deeply saddened Eddie was the fact that he could not donate his organs, as this was not possible through the medically assisted death program. It was a bitter pill to swallow for someone who had always been driven by a desire to help others.
Eddie's decision weighs heavily on all of our hearts, but expecting him to endure such a challenging existence for our sake would have been selfish. Once fiercely independent, he found himself completely reliant on others for even the most basic needs, like scratching an itch-a simple act that never quite felt the same when done by someone else. According to Eddie, it was this total dependency that was the hardest part of his new reality. I believe that if he had retained even a little mobility, like the use of one arm, he would have found the strength to carry on. But the complete loss of his autonomy was a burden too great to bear.
In the last few weeks of his life, Eddie imparted a powerful message to us all: "Don't take anything for granted." His words served as a poignant reminder to appreciate the little things in life, the moments we often dismiss as mundane. Eddie's journey and his ultimate decision to end his suffering underscore the immeasurable value of personal autonomy and the countless daily blessings we frequently fail to recognize. His story is a testament to the importance of cherishing our independence and finding gratitude in the simplest aspects of our lives.
In his final moments, as he lay in the bed where he would take his last breath, Eddie reached for the shot of Pentobarbital with an eagerness that spoke volumes. A liberation from the chains that had bound him for so long. With a grin on his face, he uttered his final words: "I love everybody." I am told there was no hesitation, no second-guessing in his actions. "Life is Good" by Flogging Molly filled the room, Eddie drank the solution, a peaceful smile etched upon his face, and he drifted off to the oblivion he had so often mentioned, finally finding the solace he had been seeking. Rest easy, my dear friend. Though my heart is heavy with your absence, I take comfort in knowing that you are at last free from the burdens that weighed you down. Your memory will be forever cherished by all of us who had the honor of knowing and loving you. Until our paths cross again, I will carry you in my heart, celebrating the beautiful life you lived and the indelible mark you left on this world.