or signup to continue reading A terminally ill woman with no access to voluntary assisted dying has been left with "no options", other than educating herself on substances used on death row, how to tie a hangman's noose, or how to end her own life with carbon monoxide poisoning. For five decades, Northern Territory woman Lori Martin lived a life filled with adventure and contribution to her community. But now, her days are consumed by relentless suffering and the growing terror of a slow, powerless, undignified death.
She was 54 when she was diagnosed with COPD - four letters thrown at her without any explanation, and without warning. "My doctor ..
. didn't even tell me what it was. I had to google it," she said.
"No lung specialist tells you much at all. You have to go online and connect with others to learn." But no online search result could have prepared Ms Martin for the reality she was to experience.
COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - a degenerative lung condition that slowly suffocates its victims. Every breath becomes a battle. Organs that rely on a plentiful supply of oxygen slowly deteriorate in stages.
Ms Martin's fight has already been going for years. "I used to think breathing through a straw was bad enough but as my chronic disease progresses, even that would be a luxury. Mine is a hideous, silent condition.
"In time I will be bedridden. Eating and talking will become more difficult if not near impossible. Current friendships will fade and I.