‘Thank you New Zealand’: Matt Vickers’ emotional tribute after the end of life referendum result

When the result came in yesterday, a sense of relief washed over me. After so long, the story of my late wife had come to an end. And the conclusion he hoped for, the one in which Lecretia finally achieved what he set out to do and helped change the law, was finally fulfilled.

Lecretia can rest now and, frankly, I can too.

This law is five years too late to help my late wife, but with this change, people facing a terminal illness, in which they may have nothing to look forward to but pain and suffering, finally have a choice. They can choose to exercise control over a situation in which the rest of control is lost.

Today, more than ever, I am incredibly proud to be a New Zealander.

This law, which at first glance is about how people die, is actually a law about how we live.

We can choose to exist in a world where life is something that just happens to us, and we are simply pawns of fate. Or we can choose to live in a world where life is what we do.

I have learned, through Lecretia’s example, and through my own pain and loss, that it is better to live in a world where life is embraced, happiness and fulfillment are pursued, and suffering is minimized. A world where things like David Seymour’s End-of-Life Choice Law exist.

This law allows terminally ill people to live the life they want until the last day. When everything else has been taken away, the kindest thing we can do is empower them with this decision.

Some people, perhaps a third of us, will worry about what this law means. Between now and this time next year, the Ministry of Health will have the responsibility to clarify any missing details. They will implement the details of the policies and procedures outlined in the law, ensuring the proper balance of security and access.

For most of us, life will remain normal. Nothing will change. We will live full and rich lives, work hard, and provide for our families. We will go to school, we will go to church, we will fall in love and raise our children. We will chase our dreams and chase the desires of our hearts. And hopefully we’ll never have to worry about the Law of Choice at the end of life again.

Sadly, some of us will get sick. Some of us will get so sick that the choice to live is no longer an option we have. I didn’t think that would happen to me or Lecretia. But he did. And for people who find themselves in situations like Lecretia’s, I hope the Law of Choice at the end of life brings some comfort to them. That during their last days, if things become intolerable for them, they can know that they have options. And that you can be sure that your life is still yours.

Thank you New Zealand for supporting this law. Thank you for helping me finish this story in such a rewarding way. And thank you for voting Yes to End of Life Choice.