The Life of Sue Rodriguez: Strength in Hard Times

The end of Sue Rodriguez's life may have been filled with controversy, but when reflecting upon her actions one can only admire the strength of her character and the perseverance of her will. Regardless of the personal trials and tribulations that she went through in the last couple years of her life, she tirelessly fought for what she believed; the right to die with dignity.

To backtrack, on August 22, 1991 Sue Rodriguez was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), which would eventually cause her to lose the ability to control her own bodily movement, while her mind would continue to function effectively. Sue understood the progression of her condition as one where she would be consciously trapped inside her own body, unable to move or even talk, until the disease would slowly and painfully take her life. Instead of accepting this as her fate and being denied her freedom to live out her remaining days as she saw fit, Sue challenged the courts on the constitutionality of the right to die. Specifically she championed the cause concerning the right to physician-assisted suicide in Canada.

While fighting for her right to die through physician-assisted suicide Sue Rodriquez asked a House of Commons Subcommittee a simple question that extended far beyond the issue of euthanasia. She simply asked “If I cannot give consent to my own death, then whose body is this? Who owns my life?” Her struggle to take ownership of her body and her life is one that can resonate with women throughout history, regardless of where one stands on the issue of assisted suicide. Though this may be taking her questions out of context, they are questions that can be universally applied and reflected upon.  

Despite her deteriorating condition and dealing with the emotional issues related to knowing how one was going to die and being unable to prevent it, Sue exemplified her convictions by taking her cause to the Supreme Court of Canada. Sue argued that the illegality of assisted suicide violated her constitutional rights, such as her right of equality despite a mental or physical disability, her right to life, liberty and security of the person, and finally her right not to be subjected to any cruel and unusual treatment or punishment. While the Supreme Court ultimately upheld assisted suicide as illegal in a 5-4 decision, Sue Rodriguez singlehandedly initiated a national debate on this issue. She not only showcased how one woman, despite her situation, could captivate a nation, but she demonstrated how one's spirit can far outreach their physical being.

Furthermore, Sue accomplished this feat while going through unbelievable personal hardships. Regardless of where one stands on the issue of assisted suicide or the various types of euthanasia, it is hard to deny the strength, courage and conviction that Sue Rodriguez embodied. She not only battled through the insufferable amount of pain associated with her personal condition, but she simultaneously dealt with the responsibilities and worries associated with having a young child, the stress related to being involved in legal matters and the constant hounding of the Canadian media, as well as the public, many of which openly and vigorously opposed her stance. She opened her life to investigation and scrutiny, while preserving the dignity she feared her condition would take from her.

Even though Sue Rodriguez lost her court battles, she refused to lose her dignity to her deteriorating condition. On February 12, 1994 at the age of 43, with the help of an anonymous physician, Sue ended her own life through the injection of a lethal substance. Through her fighting spirit, Sue not only won the hearts and minds of many Canadians, but she also forced a nation to reflect on the laws that govern this land.

Her choice and her actions expressed a powerful message. By deciding to end her own life, Sue Rodriguez answered the question that she originally asked the House of Commons. She may have silently slipped from this world, but by taking ownership of her own fate she loudly proclaimed that it was her body, it was her life and that she would live and die in complete adherence to this principle.

Written by Harry Malhi

Edited by Lucinda Atwood