**Italian Man Facing Terminal Illness to Seek Dignified Death in Switzerland**
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In a poignant reflection on his struggle with an incurable condition, Roberto Frigo, a 67-year-old resident of Venice, Italy, has shared his heartbreaking decision to travel to Switzerland for medical aid in dying. Frigo’s plight stems from a brain tumour diagnosed over 20 years ago, which has led to severe seizures, debilitating pain, and a gradual loss of independence.
Frigo’s health has deteriorated steadily since his diagnosis in 2006, a grim prognosis that has left him living in constant apprehension of becoming completely incapacitated. “Every evening I hope to die in my sleep, without pain and in the peace that is denied to me today,” he expressed, highlighting the emotional and physical torment he has endured throughout this journey.
Despite the relentless suffering caused by his illness, Italian law surrounding medical assistance in dying (MAID) remains restrictive. While the Constitutional Court decriminalised MAID in 2019 for certain cases, comprehensive legislation has yet to be enacted by the Italian parliament, leaving many patients like Frigo in a precarious situation. The current legal framework necessitates that patients be reliant on life-sustaining treatments to qualify for assisted dying, a stipulation Frigo finds particularly cruel considering that his desire to end his life arises from a fear of such dependency.
“I have great difficulty walking, suffer constant epileptic seizures, experience long periods of semi-consciousness during the day, and often endure unbearable pain,” Frigo recounted. Although he can still manage basic self-care and navigate with a walker, he feels the weight of impending loss. “Day by day I’m losing my independence,” he stated, underscoring the centre of his decision to seek MAID before he becomes unable to advocate for himself.
Frigo applied for MAID twice, both of which were denied based on the assessment that he does not meet all required criteria. “They say I meet only three of the four criteria required to qualify for assisted dying,” he elaborated. This includes conditions such as suffering from a terminal illness and being of sound mind. However, his current ability to live without life-supporting measures led to the rejection of his applications. “The paradox is that I am asking to die precisely because it is that very situation of dependence on others for all my basic functions that I refuse to end up in,” he said, emphasising the anguish of such a fate.
With no hope of changing the outcome in Italy, Frigo has made the difficult decision to seek assisted dying in Switzerland, where the practice has been legal since 1942. “If Italy won’t grant me assisted suicide, I’ll go to Switzerland to die,” he declared, resolute in his pursuit of a dignified end. His arrangements for this transition are already in place, although the reality of leaving his home country weighs heavily on his heart.
Frigo expressed sadness over being forced to journey to another nation for the dignity he seeks in his final moments. “What a cruel country ours is, forcing its sick citizens to emigrate in order to die with dignity,” he remarked. He has set a date for his departure, and although he prepares for this final chapter of his life, the emotional toll is undeniable. “I would have preferred to die here, joking around with my closest friends right up to the very end. Unfortunately, that will be impossible.”
As he readies himself for this poignant farewell, Frigo considers the loved ones he will leave behind. “As soon as I’ve finalised some financial arrangements for my mother and my sister, I’ll bid farewell to life,” he explained. With no partner or children, he feels a heavy burden but also a sense of clarity in his decision.
Frigo’s story raises important questions about the current state of medical aid in dying legislation in Italy and the human experience of suffering. As society grapples with these complex issues, his predicament shines a light on the dire need for laws that provide compassionate choices for those in unimaginable circumstances. For many, like Frigo, the desire for a dignified end may remain a distant hope until there is a broader legal framework to support such choices within their own country.
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