Facing early-onset Alzheimer’s, Sandra Demontigny has taken bold steps to advocate for the right to choose assisted death in Quebec, influencing policy and providing a voice for others confronting similar challenges.
Champion of Choice: Sandra Demontigny's Battle for Assisted Death Rights
Champion of Choice: Sandra Demontigny's Battle for Assisted Death Rights
At just 45, Sandra Demontigny has become a powerful advocate for the right to plan her death amid her fight with early-onset Alzheimer’s in Quebec, Canada.
In a poignant moment of reflection, Sandra Demontigny, a 45-year-old mother of three, grapples with the grave implications of her early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis. One evening, she sought solace in the quiet ambiance of her home, hoping to pen down her thoughts about when she would decide to end her life. Battling emotions, she sat surrounded by the flickering light of a candle, pondering the enormity of the decision that lay before her—a decision she has tirelessly fought for in Quebec, a province that recently permitted individuals facing serious illnesses to choose medically assisted death well in advance.
Ms. Demontigny’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Diagnosed with a rare form of early-onset Alzheimer’s, a condition deeply rooted in her family history, she has emerged as a vocal proponent of dying with dignity. Contrary to retreating in the face of her deteriorating memory, she has stood at the forefront of advocacy efforts, making impassioned pleas to lawmakers and health officials. Drawing from personal experience, she often recounts the heartbreak of watching her father transform into a shadow of his former self during his battle with Alzheimer’s.
Her determination has not only raised awareness but also opened the doors to a legislative change that places Canada among a select group of jurisdictions permitting the advance directive for assisted death. The landscape of healthcare and end-of-life issues in Quebec is shifting, with Ms. Demontigny pioneering the change for those who wish to retain agency over their destiny, even when faced with devastating health challenges. As her memory continues to fade, her message remains vivid—every individual deserves the right to choose their path in life, and ultimately, their end.
