We spent three years with Marieke Vervoort as she and her family wrestled with her decision to end her life. nyti.ms/2PoyTye
What they saw was a top athlete taking control of her own destiny in an extraordinary fashion.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ELGylyjXUAAEdjK.jpg)
But, she said, her decision to pursue euthanasia turned her life around. 11 years passed until she decided, this year, she was ready to die.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ELGy_92XUAYc8fX.jpg)
Within a few years, she achieved excellence in wheelchair sports. She won 4 medals, including a gold, at the Paralympic games and 3 golds at the world championships.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ELGzZpWWwAAEmBq.jpg)
She denied that — but forcefully defended her choice and called on more countries to allow doctor-assisted suicide.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ELGzu_FWsAMIWiN.png)
But her health soon deteriorated as the pain intensified. By mid-2017, she was openly addicted to morphine. Her friends became more like caretakers.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ELG0HS-WsAEuX0U.jpg)
But she said she wanted her story to be told — of her life and her death, on October 22. She was 40 years old. nyti.ms/2DVFQ4s