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A mother who has watched her teenage son endure a terminal illness has expressed her support for legalising assisted dying in the UK to prevent him from having to travel overseas to end his life. Shelley Herniman’s perspective shifted dramatically after witnessing her 19-year-old son Noah’s prolonged battle with an inoperable brain tumour, which has involved over a year of intensive chemotherapy. Initially opposed to Noah’s wish for assisted death, Shelley’s experiences with his suffering led her to reconsider her stance.
Shelley recounts the heartbreaking conversations she has had with Noah—dialogues she believes no parent should have to face. Noah’s diagnosis came during the Covid pandemic, and his treatment, consisting of 74 weeks of chemotherapy, severely impacted his health. By the age of 15, his weight had dropped to 15kg (33lbs), and he required feeding tubes and a wheelchair. Despite plans for further treatment, his body could no longer cope. While initially rejecting the idea of assisted dying or travel abroad to seek it, the intensity of Noah’s suffering and the limited options available have led Shelley to advocate for assisted dying as a legal choice within their own country, to avoid the trauma of dying alone in a foreign nation.
Noah himself remains frightened by the prospect of death but advocates for informed choice regarding assisted dying. Although he had hopes of attending university and pursuing acting, he acknowledges that his slow-growing brain tumour will ultimately be fatal. Noah has expressed a desire for a “quick and dignified death” rather than a prolonged, painful decline in which he loses independence and the ability to communicate. His family hopes politicians in Wales will consider their perspective as decision-makers prepare to vote on whether Wales should have the authority to introduce assisted dying services on the NHS, contingent on legislation passing in Westminster.
The debate over assisted dying remains highly contentious, with many in the healthcare community voicing concerns. Dr Mark Taubert, a palliative care consultant, described the proposed legislation as dangerous, pointing out the lack of sufficient safeguards and the strain on the current health system. He criticized lawmakers for conceptualizing the law as if it operates within a perfect healthcare environment, while in reality, services remain overstretched, with examples such as “corridor care” and failing social care. The Welsh Parliament’s upcoming vote is uncertain, with a free vote expected for members of most parties, although some remain undecided. The UK bill faces challenges in the House of Lords, where the volume of amendments threatens its passage, and whether Wales participates in the legislation could have significant implications for access to assisted dying services in the country
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