'I'm Going Now,' Firefighter's Wife Reveals Final Words before His Death at a Euthanasia Clinic

Troy Thorton was known as an exceptional firefighter and a kind and loving person to his closest family and friends. He decided to end his life at a euthanasia clinic in Switzerland, and his wife reveals his last words were "No more words. I'm going now."

A firefighter of 30 years passed away at a euthanasia clinic in Switzerland, with his wife holding his hand beside him as he calmly listened to Sailing by Christopher Cross, one of his favorite songs.

The father of two, originally from Melbourne, Australia, arrived in Switzerland a week prior to the procedure, having said goodbye to his two children, Jack, 17, and Laura, 14.

His euthanasia clinic was the same one to do that of Australian scientist David Goodall, whom at 104 years old, chose to end his life on his own terms.

As for Troy, he asked people to be happy for him, as he's done so much in his life.

“I’m doing it my way, in my own time. Be happy for me; I’ve had a great innings. I’ve been fed, housed, educated, travelled, had a great career, with a family and lots of friends."

While Troy would have wanted to die surrounded by his family in Melbourne, Victoria's voluntary assisted dying laws, which come to effect in June, do not allow for non-terminal cases.

TROY'S UNCURABLE CONDITION

His condition, Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), does not fall under that category despite there being no cure for the disease.

As a fighter, Thorton explained that witnessing the loss of life firsthand has made it easy for him to decide on going to a euthanasia clinic because the quality of his life was being affected by his disease.

His disease is a neurodegenerative disorder which affects the autonomic nervous system, the part that controls involuntary activities such as blood pressure, digestion, and movement.

In his case, it was becoming more and more difficult for him to eat, walk, talk, and even urinate.

He hoped to share his story to make more legal options for people who want to end their life in Australia.

A BIGGER PICTURE

It wasn't easy, but Troy assured everyone that he and his family have had enough time to come to terms with his decision. In an interview he conducted, he asked Australians to let their politicians know what they want when it comes to their end of life choices.

"When it's our life, we should have control. We should be able to choose if we are of sound mind. That's what I'd like to say."