Woman, 23, ‘surrounded by so much love’ in final moments before ending her life through assisted dying
A 23-year-old woman who chose to end her life by assisted dying was surrounded by ‘so much love’ in her final moments, her friend said at her funeral.
Lily Thai, from Adelaide, Australia, passed away on 21 June after voluntarily signing papers to end her life.
She had lived with a debilitating illness called autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy, or AAG, since 2021 - which left her dependent on her dad for even the most basic of tasks.
Speaking to a local publication, she said of her illness: “It’s gotten to the place that I’ve lost control of everything else in my life, and I’ve been reliant on my dad as a caregiver to do everything for me, even the most intimate things."
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In January, assisted dying was legalised for South Australians under the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021, and Lily voluntarily signed forms for medics to end her life.
She said: "I’ll no longer have any pain, I will no longer suffer with any of these issues, and I’ll finally be free of all the suffering that I have endured for so many years."
Now her friend Annaliese Holland, 21, who Lily became close to while they were in hospital together, has shared more details about Lily’s final moments.
Speaking at her funeral today (29 June), Annaliese said Lily passed away surrounded by family and friends.
She said: “I was so honoured to be asked by Lily to be with her and hold her hand on Wednesday, and I pinky promised her, and I said I don't ever break pinky promises, and I didn't.
“Lily was surrounded by so much love. Her family and her two beautiful friends, along with myself, we cherished those last moments altogether.”
Annaliese also shared Lily's 'final wish' before she passed away, explaining: "I asked Lily what I could do for her, anything, and one wish was that she wanted her life to be celebrated and be known.
"She wanted her journey to be known to help others. I hope that I was able to allow her a voice to share her story on every level."
To honour her friend, Annaliese promised to make 21 June Lily’s Day every year, where lily flowers would be sold to raise money for charity.
“I’ll always remember you, cherish you and keep you in my heart," she said. "We will be eating your dad’s pizza together up there together one day, I promise you.
"I will fight until I can’t … because no one should have to go through what we have at 23.”
Simon Fearn