1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,040 Speaker 1: If you've been listening to the show in recent weeks, 2 00:00:02,080 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: she'll know that there has indeed been a renewed push 3 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:08,000 Speaker 1: for the Northern Territory government to get things moving on 4 00:00:08,119 --> 00:00:12,479 Speaker 1: voluntary assisted dying legislation, which the Northern Territory hasn't had 5 00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:16,280 Speaker 1: for more than twenty seven years. We remain the only 6 00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:19,040 Speaker 1: jurisdiction in the country where people don't have the right 7 00:00:19,440 --> 00:00:22,320 Speaker 1: to choose the way that they die. Counsel of the 8 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:25,840 Speaker 1: Aging nt IS called for the old euthanasia legislation to 9 00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 1: be re enacted while a new framework is developed following 10 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:34,479 Speaker 1: community consultation and a report by a Voluntary assisted Dying 11 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 1: Advisory Committee. Now, listener who's been advocating for voluntary assisted 12 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:44,360 Speaker 1: dying for eight years after her mum took her own life, 13 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:49,160 Speaker 1: contacted the show Keen to share her story. Sharon cramp 14 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:53,200 Speaker 1: Oliver joins me on the line. Good morning, Sharon, Good 15 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:53,880 Speaker 1: morning Katie. 16 00:00:53,920 --> 00:00:55,200 Speaker 2: Thanks for having me on the show. 17 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:57,960 Speaker 1: Oh, thank you so much for your time. Now, Sharon, 18 00:00:58,040 --> 00:01:02,080 Speaker 1: I understand that you lost your mum in twenty seventeen. 19 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:03,560 Speaker 1: Can you tell us what happened? 20 00:01:04,920 --> 00:01:08,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, my mum actually had bad of breast cancer for 21 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:11,280 Speaker 2: twelve years and she'd had two hip replacements and one 22 00:01:11,319 --> 00:01:16,520 Speaker 2: became dislocated in twenty seventeen. She was in so much pain, 23 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:22,600 Speaker 2: so she basically all our lives was always about euthanasia 24 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:24,800 Speaker 2: with our animals if they needed to be put down 25 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:28,199 Speaker 2: in because of their pain and stuff. And my mom 26 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:31,319 Speaker 2: basically decided she was going to take her life because 27 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:33,559 Speaker 2: there was no choice in Australia at all at that time. 28 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 2: So my partner and I actually spoke to my month 29 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:40,520 Speaker 2: about six weeks and I offered to go down and 30 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:43,360 Speaker 2: actually lie next to her so she could take her 31 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:48,200 Speaker 2: own life. But back then and now I'm sure, it 32 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:50,560 Speaker 2: was basically a matter of that if you do that, 33 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:53,080 Speaker 2: you'll probably go to jail, so I need to do 34 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:56,920 Speaker 2: this by myself. She sat in her car with her 35 00:01:56,960 --> 00:02:01,520 Speaker 2: little dog who was fifteenth and took her own life. Yeah. 36 00:02:01,560 --> 00:02:05,320 Speaker 2: God bless cases for being there for her. Yeah. Yeah. 37 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:08,080 Speaker 2: So it was very tragic, I guess because yet she 38 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 2: had no family, no friends, nobody around her because she 39 00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:16,120 Speaker 2: didn't want anyone to be implicated in helping her. And 40 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 2: of course for us, my partner, myself and my brother 41 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:21,799 Speaker 2: and sister was very difficult knowing that she was going 42 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:23,120 Speaker 2: to take her out in her own life, and we 43 00:02:23,200 --> 00:02:25,000 Speaker 2: couldn't help her with that. 44 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:31,760 Speaker 1: Sharon, I'm so sorry to hear that your mum, you know, 45 00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:35,120 Speaker 1: I went through that, and that your family, you know, 46 00:02:35,240 --> 00:02:37,400 Speaker 1: went through that, and that your mom was in that 47 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:42,679 Speaker 1: kind of pain. I understand. She left diaries documenting her 48 00:02:42,760 --> 00:02:46,720 Speaker 1: life and her loss of independence, and her story is 49 00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 1: something that was mentioned in parliament and attracted national and 50 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:56,720 Speaker 1: international media. In terms of those diaries. Were they tough 51 00:02:56,880 --> 00:02:59,880 Speaker 1: to read after her passing over? 52 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 2: Much so because I didn't realize how much pain she 53 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:06,640 Speaker 2: was actually in before the January that we saw her 54 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 2: last in twenty seventeen. She was very tough lady, and 55 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:14,399 Speaker 2: she really didn't let us know. I actually went through 56 00:03:14,440 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 2: the last seven years of her diaries and marked where 57 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:20,919 Speaker 2: she'd mentioned euthanasia with little tags, and I also marked 58 00:03:20,919 --> 00:03:23,520 Speaker 2: where she was in pain. And actually I was very 59 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:25,880 Speaker 2: lucky my partner and I got to meet with the 60 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:30,519 Speaker 2: Experts Advisory Panel in the Northern Territory when they were 61 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:35,040 Speaker 2: doing their research in their terms of reference, and I actually, 62 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 2: excuse me, took those diaries in so they could actually 63 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:41,360 Speaker 2: read through them and see how much pain she had 64 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 2: been in. It was very devastating, as I say, for 65 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 2: all of our family and my friends and all the 66 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 2: people at mew M mum and the ironic thing. I 67 00:03:51,800 --> 00:03:54,440 Speaker 2: guess in a way that she was the justice of 68 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 2: the peace for many years, and she did lots of 69 00:03:57,400 --> 00:03:59,840 Speaker 2: other things, but the most important thing is I look 70 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:03,920 Speaker 2: that she was a lifeline counselor voluntarily for eighteen years. 71 00:04:04,200 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 2: So I think about how many people she may have 72 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:09,320 Speaker 2: helped over the time, and in a way there was 73 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 2: no one to help her. 74 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:14,480 Speaker 1: Oh, Sharon, that makes me feel really like, that makes 75 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 1: me feel quite emotional thinking about what your mum's gone through. 76 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:22,760 Speaker 1: And you know, and like I always think with voluntary 77 00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:26,000 Speaker 1: assisted dying is it's the last It should be the 78 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 1: last choice that we as humans make. And I know 79 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:33,080 Speaker 1: that people have very differing views on this. I know 80 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:38,920 Speaker 1: that everybody thinks differently. Whatever your views may be, you 81 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 1: can't deny in your mum's situation. You know she should 82 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:44,799 Speaker 1: have that right to choose. 83 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:48,520 Speaker 2: That's correct. And I guess I would like to make 84 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:50,880 Speaker 2: the point of why my partner and I advocate and 85 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 2: have done so for so long, was because my mum 86 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:59,039 Speaker 2: read left me text message and she said, do you 87 00:04:59,080 --> 00:04:59,720 Speaker 2: mind if I read it. 88 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:00,719 Speaker 1: Yeah that's not good. 89 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:04,359 Speaker 2: Yeah, so she said, Chads, thanks so much for understanding. 90 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:08,080 Speaker 2: You know, I can't do this existence anymore. Have nothing 91 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:10,919 Speaker 2: to look forward to but pallative care in a nursing home. 92 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:13,640 Speaker 2: Not doing that to you three or me. No youth 93 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:15,719 Speaker 2: in Asia in New South Wales was once passing the 94 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:18,599 Speaker 2: nt have it happen again? You of all people can 95 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:21,839 Speaker 2: do it. Animals have it. We are animals to my legacy. 96 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:25,000 Speaker 2: My spirit will always be watching over you. When you 97 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:29,480 Speaker 2: see a happy pigeon, it will be me. So hence 98 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:35,360 Speaker 2: that's why I contacted you, because it is my job 99 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:38,320 Speaker 2: on her behalf, to make sure that nobody else gets 100 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:42,640 Speaker 2: in that situation as she was in. And obviously in 101 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:44,599 Speaker 2: the Northern Territory we don't have that right. 102 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:50,480 Speaker 1: Sharon. You know, I mean to anybody listening this morning, 103 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:54,040 Speaker 1: who who is thinking to themselves? All right, this is 104 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:57,440 Speaker 1: not something that's ajourn taur, It's not something you know 105 00:05:57,480 --> 00:05:59,760 Speaker 1: that we need to be rushing to do. What would 106 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:02,320 Speaker 1: just to those people? I mean, I'd be surprised if 107 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:04,640 Speaker 1: they think that after hearing what you've just read out 108 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:07,680 Speaker 1: from your mum. But what would you say to those people? 109 00:06:09,080 --> 00:06:13,800 Speaker 2: I think euthanasia is actually a choice just because it's 110 00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:18,120 Speaker 2: passed in law, not terminology correct with parliament stuff, But 111 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:22,159 Speaker 2: it gives people a choice. You don't have to do it. 112 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:24,440 Speaker 2: If you'd like to access it, there's a process that 113 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:29,200 Speaker 2: the government has set up for you. But the biggest 114 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 2: thing I've always said, it's a choice. And we were 115 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:38,239 Speaker 2: very lucky. Literally two months after my mom passed away, 116 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 2: Sandra Nelson was the Member for Catherine and we lived 117 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:44,760 Speaker 2: in that area at the time, and she actually tabled 118 00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:48,479 Speaker 2: my mum's celebration of life booklets that we use for 119 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:51,400 Speaker 2: her celebration of life party if you want to call it. 120 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:55,040 Speaker 2: And then I also gave them the extracts from my 121 00:06:55,160 --> 00:06:57,880 Speaker 2: mum's diary for the last year and how much suffering 122 00:06:57,960 --> 00:07:00,680 Speaker 2: she had done. And I just look at it and 123 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:04,000 Speaker 2: just go, you know, this has gone on since, you know, 124 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:09,760 Speaker 2: November twenty seventeen. I've written to every Senator, all the 125 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 2: mt Chief Ministers over the time, the Governor General or 126 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:16,840 Speaker 2: the Queen of England even when she was alive, and 127 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:21,120 Speaker 2: lots of different government lots of people must know my 128 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:26,760 Speaker 2: name and because my NL so larch, But I just 129 00:07:27,120 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 2: think it's devastating that you don't have a choice. And 130 00:07:33,360 --> 00:07:37,240 Speaker 2: I have a friend whose husband was very much well 131 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:42,280 Speaker 2: to do Territory. He received an i AM in twenty 132 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 2: eighteen for his service to the stock injury industry because 133 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:50,400 Speaker 2: he was part of developing the Buyernic arm. He had 134 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 2: a six year battle of cancer and ironically they had 135 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 2: a property over in Queensland, so they lived over there 136 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:03,600 Speaker 2: and basically well, when he was too weak to do 137 00:08:03,680 --> 00:08:05,880 Speaker 2: anything and he was in misery, he just said, you know, 138 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 2: I can't take this life anymore, and sadly, I will 139 00:08:10,880 --> 00:08:17,000 Speaker 2: say sadly, but in a good way. He was happy. 140 00:08:17,680 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 2: And my girlfriend actually wrote in her letter the vad 141 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:25,000 Speaker 2: doctor and the lovely assistant made me, made him feel 142 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:27,320 Speaker 2: comfortable and left just to have time together. Cow was 143 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:31,160 Speaker 2: jolly and after he enjoyed a beer and he designed 144 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:35,080 Speaker 2: a gate for his farm, he said goodbye and told 145 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:37,360 Speaker 2: the doctor he's ready to lie down and go to bed. 146 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 2: And she said it was explained that the injection would 147 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:46,160 Speaker 2: put him to sleep, et cetera, et cetera. And he 148 00:08:46,240 --> 00:08:50,200 Speaker 2: was so funny that he even commented and said once more. 149 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:53,600 Speaker 2: And she actually had the opportunity to cradle him in 150 00:08:53,640 --> 00:08:56,720 Speaker 2: her arm and basically he took two breaths and then 151 00:08:57,400 --> 00:09:01,880 Speaker 2: was asleep. Very sad for everyone, but that was her 152 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:07,480 Speaker 2: husband's choice suffering. 153 00:09:08,040 --> 00:09:11,240 Speaker 1: That's right. Look, I know it's a I know it's 154 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:14,000 Speaker 1: a heavy topic for people to hear. I think that 155 00:09:14,679 --> 00:09:18,040 Speaker 1: voluntary assisted dying, it is one of those issues that 156 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:21,800 Speaker 1: until you've watched a loved one suffer, until you've watched 157 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:25,480 Speaker 1: a loved one pass away and in some cases go 158 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:28,280 Speaker 1: through that suffering for a long period of time, you 159 00:09:28,360 --> 00:09:31,480 Speaker 1: may not be very opinionated on it. But I can 160 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:37,000 Speaker 1: understand why why you are advocating for this following the 161 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:39,240 Speaker 1: loss of your mum. You know, I know what it 162 00:09:39,320 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 1: was like watching my dad suffer through cancer and his 163 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:45,880 Speaker 1: end of life was you know, it was a really 164 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:49,360 Speaker 1: nice situation where his family were all around him at 165 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:51,560 Speaker 1: the hospice and he had the care that he needed. 166 00:09:51,640 --> 00:09:55,640 Speaker 1: But you know, it's someone's choice when they are terminally 167 00:09:55,720 --> 00:10:01,560 Speaker 1: ill or when they are incredibly unwell. And and look, 168 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:06,400 Speaker 1: I think it's really admirable that you are carrying on 169 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:10,160 Speaker 1: with your mum's legacy. Sharon. We are going to have 170 00:10:10,280 --> 00:10:12,920 Speaker 1: to wrap up, but I'd be really keen to stay 171 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 1: in contact with you and continue this discussion if you'd 172 00:10:16,720 --> 00:10:19,480 Speaker 1: be keen to do that as we do get some 173 00:10:19,520 --> 00:10:23,240 Speaker 1: further updates from the Northern Territory government or certainly I 174 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:27,320 Speaker 1: know the Member for Johnson, Justine Davis, is indeed looking 175 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 1: at whether she can introduce a private member's bill or 176 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:32,960 Speaker 1: something else to try to make sure that this happens 177 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:34,280 Speaker 1: as well. 178 00:10:34,280 --> 00:10:38,520 Speaker 2: That's correct. And also Kate mcmura, we had a meeting 179 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 2: with her, my partner and I in January to discuss 180 00:10:41,559 --> 00:10:45,640 Speaker 2: the issue of how we could have it brought up 181 00:10:45,679 --> 00:10:48,880 Speaker 2: in parliament. I just it's a big wondering for me. 182 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:51,640 Speaker 2: Like the Injuries Bill was overturned by let Godwin. He 183 00:10:51,679 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 2: did an amazing job on December first, twenty two down 184 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:57,360 Speaker 2: in Canberra, and my mum's actual story was part of 185 00:10:57,400 --> 00:11:01,280 Speaker 2: that booklet put out by Gojen to the Senators and 186 00:11:01,320 --> 00:11:04,520 Speaker 2: I just go wow, that's a long time ago. He's 187 00:11:04,559 --> 00:11:07,040 Speaker 2: Bember first twenty two to now. And then we had 188 00:11:07,480 --> 00:11:13,200 Speaker 2: the Expert Advisory Panel in relation to VAD legislation in 189 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:16,320 Speaker 2: ordn Territory. The did an amazing job going around and 190 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:19,880 Speaker 2: finding information and I've got the actual documents and I'll 191 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:24,960 Speaker 2: just go wow, that was done in twenty three. So 192 00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 2: I'm just going this is taking a long time, and 193 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:32,400 Speaker 2: there are people in places here suffering, like my girlfriend 194 00:11:32,440 --> 00:11:35,920 Speaker 2: and Catherine. She's terminally ill, but she has no choice 195 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:36,439 Speaker 2: right now. 196 00:11:36,960 --> 00:11:38,960 Speaker 1: Sharon, I'm really sorry. We are going to have to 197 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:40,640 Speaker 1: wrap up because we've got to head across to the 198 00:11:40,720 --> 00:11:44,160 Speaker 1: National News. Thank you so much for sharing your story 199 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:47,160 Speaker 1: with me morning. I really appreciate it, and we will 200 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:48,280 Speaker 1: talk to you again soon. 201 00:11:48,960 --> 00:11:50,600 Speaker 2: That would be fantastic. Have a great day. 202 00:11:50,640 --> 00:11:52,920 Speaker 1: Thank you too, Thank you, thank you so much.