39-year-old Pernilla Wallin, who suffers from a fatal muscle disease, wanted help to end her life in Sweden in the not too distant future.
She has therefore submitted a request to the National Board of Health and Welfare for physician-assisted dying. But now the authority has decided to deny her euthanasia and reject her request. A decision she is not surprised by.
– We had not expected anything other than a no, so we knew about that, says Pernilla Wallin to TV4 Nyheterna.
Since 2011, Pernilla has had to sit in a wheelchair, because she cannot stand or walk by herself. Her disease has no known cure and worsens over time.
Thinking of going all the way
But even though she is now denied by the authority, she does not intend to give up the fight to get her last and greatest wish fulfilled.
– I’m getting more involved. Just roll up your arms. I think this will go all the way. And I think we will succeed sooner or later, she says.
Pernilla and the association that represents her intend to take it all the way to the European Court of Justice, if necessary.
– We still have a long way to go before the European Court of Justice, but that is still where we think we should go.
– It is very important. Not just for me but actually for many others who would like the same help. I think I do it for more than just myself.
For her, it is important to be able to say goodbye to her loved ones back home in Sweden, she says.
– It will be much easier. I would say that it is a real ten-pointer, she says about being able to end her life in Sweden.
No death wish
Pernilla explains that it is difficult for people to understand her situation. It is not about her having a longing for death, but about her wanting to decide on her life during the time she has left to live.
– I have absolutely no death wish. Absolutely not! But rather the opposite.
– People think that I sit and long for my death. But this is my way of getting to live on my own terms and then move on when I feel I’m ready.