British Columbia

Assisted suicide ban makes B.C. woman's decision harder

MS sufferer Elayne Shapray, who wrote an affidavit for Gloria Taylor's case in favour of doctor-assisted suicide, is disappointed the B.C. Court of Appeal's decision.

B.C. Court of Appeal upheld law against doctor-assisted suicide

Woman's plea for assisted suicide

11 years ago
Duration 3:13
Elayne Shapray, who has MS, fears she may have to kill herself

Vancouver woman Elayne Shapray, who wrote an affidavit for ALS patient Gloria Taylor's case in favour of doctor-assisted suicide, is "disappointed, but not shocked" by the B.C. Court of Appea​l's decision to affirm the law against it.

Shapray, who has multiple sclerosis, and says the ruling may actually encourage her to take her own life sooner.

"I might have to prematurely make that decision, because you have to do it yourself, and I only have the use of my right hand now," says Shapray,

"If you don't do it soon enough, then you lose your opportunity, unless you ask someone in your family to do something illegal, which I wouldn't do."