Physically, you would think she is healthy. Despite this, 28-year-old Zoraya ter Beek decided to undergo euthanasia.
The reason for the decision is debilitating depression, autism and borderline personality disorder.
Under Dutch law, what she is about to do is legal. However, public opinion has mixed feelings. "Too rarely do we notice that the whole person is sick, not just his body or just his mind," explains Prof. Paweł Łuków, specialist in normative ethics, bioethics and philosophy of medicine.
There is nothing wrong with her body, but her mental problems are so serious that doctors have exhausted treatment options. Even the support of a loving boyfriend cannot bring enough relief.
According to The Free Press, 28-year-old Zoraya will undergo euthanasia in May. Although it is in accordance with Dutch law, the matter is controversial for internet users. There is an ongoing discussion in the media about the role of euthanasia in the treatment of mental illness.
The reason this outrages us may be the belief that mental illness may not cause suffering on such a large scale. In the Netherlands, people whose pain becomes unbearable can undergo euthanasia.
Łuków points out that when our body refuses to obey us, we suffer and are unhappy. When the mind fails, the body also suffers.
Zoraya plans her death
According to The Free Press, the 28-year-old already knows under what circumstances she will undergo the procedure. Euthanasia will be performed at her home. Zoraya will be given two medications - first a sedative and then a cardiac arrest medication. According to her will, after her death she will be cremated and her ashes will be scattered in the forest, in a place designated by her.
Prof. Łuków points out that the role of the media and the way of reporting on them are very important in this type of stories.
"Regardless of whether we condemn such decisions or not, we should talk about them with an appropriate amount of empathy and understanding. Then the discussion about euthanasia may not involve harm to others," the professor argues.
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This article was originally published on Onet Woman.