Woman explains why she's chosen to die by euthanasia in heartbreaking final message

Warning: This article contains discussions of assisted dying which some readers may find distressing

A 57-year-old woman revealed the reason she decided to die by euthanasia in a heartbreaking final message.

Euthanasia - often referred to as assisted dying - is administered to patients who suffer from life-long and debilitating illnesses that have a poor prognosis.

The practice is seen as controversial due to ethical reasons and is currently illegal under English law. However, countries such as the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium allow euthanasia in cases where a patient is either terminally ill or in extreme pain.

It's for this reason that Dutch national Edina Slayter-Engelsman decided to return to the Netherlands, after spending 30 years living in Scotland, due to suffering from severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).

Edina Slayter-Engelsman was diagnosed with ME in 2020 and became bedbound within weeks. (BBC/ Slayter-Engelsman family)

What is Myalgic encephalomyelitis?

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a chronic condition which can impact different parts of the body. It's reported that around 250,000 people in the UK have ME, with one in four suffers reporting severe symptoms like Edina.

The most common symptom of ME is extreme tiredness which can make performing daily tasks such as showering or eating difficult. Patients also report dealing with sleep problems, brain fog and post-exertional malaise (which sees symptoms flare up for weeks after any physical or mental activity).

It's not known what causes ME and there is currently no cure for the condition and complications of the disease can sometimes cause death in severe cases.

Recording a series of video messages before her death Edina detailed what it was like to be 'bedbound' with the condition.

'This disease has taken everything from me'

Edina was diagnosed with ME back in February 2020 and within weeks she went from an active lifestyle - which included cycling, swimming and hiking - to being unable to leave her bed.

"This disease has taken everything from me," she explained in a series of videos which her family have shared with BBC Scotland.

After exhausting all treatment options, Edina was granted euthanasia in her native Netherlands. (BBC/ Slayter-Engelsman family)

Describing the illness as a 'spider's web', she continued: "Every time you try to get out, the web just gets tighter and tighter around you."

She went on to reveal that ME has left her feeling isolated from her family due to extreme sensitivity to 'stimulation'.

"I exist but I don’t live and this condition has become unbearable to me and has been for a long time now, to the point where I want to end my life," Edina explained.

After exhausting all treatment options in the UK Edina returned to the Netherlands in 2023, where she underwent a series of assessments.

After concluding there were no other treatment options available, Edina was granted the option of euthanasia and she died by lethal injection while surrounded by her close family.

Edina's family are now hoping that sharing her story will help raise awareness about ME and the lack of treatment options available for sufferers.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.