The Story Of Marieke Vervoort, The Paralympic Athlete Who Signed Her Euthanasia

Marieke Vervoort is a fighter. This 37-year-old Belgian athlete prepared her documents for euthanasia in 2008 and, despite knowing very clearly that “her time hasn’t come yet”, she knows it will, and knows how she wants her death to be.

One thing we all know is that we don’t have full control over what life has planned for us. Illnesses, accidents, unexpected facts are like blows that shape us while putting us to the test.

We cannot choose what life offers us, but sometimes, yes, we can choose how to die.

Marieke Vervoort once again opened the debate on euthanasia, when the false rumor began to circulate that, after the Paralympic Games, she was thinking of saying goodbye to this world.

This is not true. Not at the moment, but his words, full of courage, wisdom and sensitivity, impressed the world.

It doesn’t matter whether or not we agree with the subject of euthanasia, the only thing this great woman deserves from us is full respect and absolute admiration.

Today, in our space, we want to tell your story.

Marieke Vervoort’s last race

Marieke Vervoort moves through life with the intensity of someone who wants to enjoy it fully. Every new day, every image, every sound, every bit of oxygen.

• She practices athletics, carving (Windcar) and, before the disease deprived her of mobility, she was a triathlete. Cabe highlights that, despite having won a silver medal at the Rio 2016 Games, she also has other trophies.
• He competed in the London 2012 Paralympic Games. He won two medals, one gold and one silver.
• In addition, in her country, she was also awarded on several occasions. According to her, the recognition that made her happiest was the one given by the Flamenca Association of Sports Journalists, who recognize her effort, character and example.

However, according to Marieke Vervoort herself, this will certainly be her last race in the Olympic Games.

The degenerative disease

Marieke suffers from a degenerative muscle disease that left her, from a very early age, in a wheelchair. The problem is not the disability itself; but, above all, in the suffering he faces every day.

• It’s been over 20 years with this daily struggle, in which you notice how your body responds a little less with each passing year.
• She suffers from fainting, epileptic fits, intense pain and, before long, she knows she will stop seeing. In fact, it only has about 20% of the vision. In a few months or years, the darkness will completely embrace you.

• His existence is an account of a life condemned to permanent disability, blindness, and total disconnection from what he loves so much: life.

Documents for euthanasia

From an early age, she knew what would happen to her. After the diagnosis of the disease, in his own words, he considered suicide. However, something happened.

• Her doctors commented that one way to gain quality of life was to stay active. Sport is fighting and survival, and that pleased her. Found a reason.
• He started playing wheelchair basketball. Later, he tried diving and swimming, but it was in triathlon that he found himself, where the first prizes and recognition came.
• In 2006, she became champion in the world of para-triathlon, an achievement she achieved for two years in a row.

However, in 2008, his illness worsened to the point where he could not continue with the triathlon. His life stopped. But his country offered him support: they asked him to tell his story on television.

Marieke Vervoort did so. “Wielemie, sports for life”. She also did something else: prepare her documents for her euthanasia.

His body was no longer fit for the sport he loved so much, and he also knew that, in a few years, his body and his vision would fade away forever.

Your “moment” hasn’t come yet, but it will come…

After leaving triathlon aside, she arrived at Windcar , a type of race in which cars move thanks to the action of the wind, and in which she became runner-up in 2011.

After that, he started another specialty: wheelchair athletics. After being included in the T-52 category, it broke all continental records.

• Her achievements at the London 2012 Olympics filled her with emotion. She still had reasons to live, despite the pain that accompanied her every day.
• So much so that, currently, he can only sleep in periods of 10 minutes, due to the intense pain.
• Epilepsy attacks are also becoming more intense. She knows that her time is passing by like a slow sunset, but in the meantime, and in her own words, she will enjoy life to the full.

But when complete blindness comes, when her body is no longer hers but of pain and total paralysis, she will say goodbye. Euthanasia is not surrender. It is a rest for the bravest.

You have already chosen how your funeral will be: your ashes will be thrown into the sea in Lanzarote (Canary Islands, Spain).

She wants her people to remember her with a smile, because that’s how she will see you all when she rests in peace. Painlessly.