Paralympic Athlete Marieke Vervoort Chooses Euthanasia

Paralympic athlete Marieke Vervoort is a fighter. The 37-year-old Belgian woman signed the documents for euthanasia in 2008. Although she said that the time had not yet come, she wanted her death to be her own choice when she was ready.

We all know that we cannot control what happens in our lives. Illnesses, accidents, unexpected events… all these challenges shape us as human beings and put us to the test.

We can’t choose what life prepares for us, but sometimes we can choose how to end it. 

Marieke Vervoort once again opened the subject of euthanasia and was the protagonist of a false rumor that she wanted to say goodbye to the whole world after the Paralympic Games.

Of course, this is not true. The time has not yet come, but his words full of wisdom, sensitivity and courage have impressed a whole world.

Whether we approve or not of the idea of ​​euthanasia, one thing is clear: this wonderful woman deserves all our respect and admiration. 

Today we want to tell you her story.

Last race for Paralympic athlete Marieke Vervoort

Marieke Vervoort lives her life to the fullest. The woman enjoys every new day, every image, every sound, every breath of fresh air.

• Marieke practiced athletics, blokarting and was an expert even in triathlon, before the disease limited her movements. Even though she won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Games, she has many other trophies at home.
• He competed in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London and won two medals, one silver and one gold.
• He has won various awards in his country. Sportiva claims that the award she enjoyed the most was the one offered by the Flamenco Association of Sports Journalists, which recognized her strength, her wonderful character and the extraordinary example offered to the whole world.

Marieke claims that last year was really her last race at the Olympic Games.

A degenerative disease

Marieke suffers from a degenerative muscle disease that has pinned her in a wheelchair from an early age. The real problem is not the disability itself, but the physical pain they endure every day.

The woman has been battling this disease for 20 years. Every year, he notices how his body is getting weaker and weaker. Sometimes he faints, has epileptic seizures, feels immense pain and knows that in a short time he will go blind. Currently, his vision is only 20%.

The chronic illness she suffers from has condemned Marieke to a life full of disabilities.

euthanasia

Vervoort knew what would happen to her from a very young age. After receiving the diagnosis, the woman admits that she thought about suicide.

But in those moments, something happened that made her change her mind. Doctors told her that in order to improve her quality of life, it is important to stay active. Sport means struggle and survival. He really liked this idea and found in it a strong reason to continue living.

Marieke started playing basketball in a wheelchair, and then dived and swam. He discovered his true passion when he participated in the triathlon where he won first prize and won international recognition.

In 2006, she became a para-triathlon champion, a title she held for two years in a row.

In 2008, Marieke was unable to participate in triathlon due to her gradually evolving illness. His life was not the same. However, her compatriots contacted her and asked her to tell her story, which she did in a TV show.

Marieke then published a book called Sport for Life . At the same time, the athlete was preparing her documents for assisted suicide.

Her body was no longer able to practice the sports she was passionate about, and she knew that in a few years, her eyes and her whole body would give up completely.

The time has not yet come for Paralympic athlete Marieke Vervoort, but one day it will come

Since giving up triathlon, Marieke has started a sport called blokarting or yachting on land. Yachting on land is a sport that consists of a race with the help of a sailing vehicle, propelled by the wind. In 2011, Marieke came in second in blockarting. 

Later, he discovered a new platform: wheelchair sports. After being included in the T-2 category, Paralympic athlete Marieke Vervoort broke all records at the European Championships.

• Her success at the 2012 London Olympics boosted her even more. The woman continued to have reason to live, despite the excruciating pain of each day.
• The pain he endures is so intense that he can only sleep for short periods of 10 minutes. 

• Every day, epileptic seizures are, in turn, more and more pronounced. The sportswoman knows that her end is near, but until then she is going to enjoy life as much as possible.

When she is completely blind, when her life will be just pain and paralysis, when her own body will no longer belong to her, Marieke will say goodbye to everyone. Euthanasia is not a defeat, but a rest for brave people. 

Paralympic athlete Marieke Vervoort has already planned her funeral ceremony. Its ashes will be dumped into the sea around the island of Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands Archipelago. This is how she will look at everyone in her place of rest, where peace reigns and where there is no more pain and suffering.