The wife of the late, great Ron Barassi, Cherryl, says she no longer wants to live.
Ron Barassi, one of the AFL’s most iconic figures, died last September at the age of 87, and now Cherryl has revealed she too wants to die.
Cherryl Barassi says she is not depressed and is “grateful for the life” she has had.
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“I’ve had a look at my future and I don’t like it,” she told The Age.
“I’m not depressed, I’m just sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
Cherryl has several deteriorating health issues after she damaged some nerves in a whiplash injury.
And she has admitted that she has already tried to take her life by overdosing on medication, however, a friend — unaware of the situation — accidentally saved her.
The friend, who was at Cherryl’s house to tell her that his own partner had died, let himself in when there was no answer.
When he saw Cherryl, he immediately called an ambulance, missing a suicide note.
Cherryl is now at home after that incident, but she says laws around voluntary assisted dying in Victoria do not go far enough.
The laws state that a person can ask for voluntary assisted dying if they are in “the late stages of advanced disease (then they) can ask for a medication that will bring about their death”.
But the laws clearly state that “not everyone is eligible and there are strict conditions”.
Cherryl says does not qualify, but she believes that it is wrong.
“I want Victoria to be world’s best practice,” she said.
“My family and my husband have all been absolutely onside with the principles of dying with dignity.”
She said people could get their sick or suffering pets put down peacefully and with respect, bit it was a less humane situation for many ill humans..
“(Pets are) given an injection, and three seconds later gone, no pain. It’s humane and caring … I want to die like my dog,” she said.
There are many organisations around the world that fight for “dying with dignity” and countries such as Switzerland have allowed assisted suicide — as long as the motives are not selfish — since 1942.
The act of euthanasia is illegal in Switzerland but supplying the means for dying is legal and called assisted suicide.
The Victorian government is reviewing its laws around assisted dying.
If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.