John Baylis’ Fight for VAD

No one knows how many Territorians have died, suffering needlessly like John, in the 28 years since their right to choose a more merciful end was taken away. 

Source: Go Gentle Australia, May 2025

Dec 15, 2014 – Imagine if you can, a good mind, with good recall and an active imagination, trapped in a body that can’t walk , can’t talk, both arms and hands affected, lips and throat not under control. Difficulty eating and drinking. Just take a moment please and really put yourself in my position. It is an awful place to be, believe me .

What then, do I have to look forward to ? palliative care ? that scares the shit out of me . Can’t eat ? so they’ll feed you through a tube , can’t drink , another tube . They will save your body without dignity , but what about the healthy mind that is trapped inside , until it escapes the efforts to keep the body alive , by dying .

Dec 20 – I am John Baylis MND sufferer . Have a look at my profile , and imagine the monster inside me , is inside you .

Dec 26 – I waited too long , letting others fight for this Voluntary Euthanasia to be made law. Discriminatory politicians make their policies on VE , following the religious lobby , all the time knowing that if needed, they are wealthy enough to fly to an enlightened country and use the ” Dying with Dignity ” program over there

Dec 28 – This is a real bad day for me , possibly the worst yet . I have deteriorated more overnight , my poor family are doing it hard . I so wish for a peaceful exit . VE if established now , would have eased my suffering . Make sure it’s there when you , or your loved ones might need it .

Jan 1, 2015 – I’m hitting the bottom of the barrel today. Got to hang up guys, thank you all , and may Kevin Andrews and all religious extremists rot in my hell.

Jan 4 – The m on szter is too smmmart it hhas taken my in dex finnger ojuuft now . mmmy typing fi nnger

Jan 5 – How can they do this to us ?? IIt’s inhumane and so blloody cruuel . I’m suffering so badly ,,, I dreeammm of relleeeease .

Jan 5 – Carlene-Baylis Webb: I’m signing because my father is suffering. He is in his final stages of Motor Neurone Disease. It has slowly taken everything from him, his dignity, his mobility and now he is unable to communicate with his loved ones. He can hardly eat & drink, palliative is NOT an option he wants to die peacefully at home with his wife and children supporting him in his plight. He wants to end this suffering he is being made to endure and advocates the right to die with dignity. We love you dad XO

Jan 10 – the mmonsttter goot both hhha ndds nnow , allll fkkkkkiingers afffecctted i think iiitxsss trying to stop mecommuniicatng ,, immm msurrrrrrre ittts evil and intellliiiigent … what you reckon kkev in a nndreews ? cooould you hhhhhhan dlle this ,,,,,,, yoou cruuuell bastaedddddd ? oor would you pprrrrrrefffer to die wiiith dignkkkity

Jan 13 – i thik this my “la s t Post” thamk you all wondnerfull suppo rtner s of mys elf and V E , wheen i pass i’d like our kid s and grandkids to jhave dign/ity in death.

Feb 23 – Message from JB added here by his kids: Facebook friends, I have reached the end of my journey. Talk to my kids Carlene, Clint and Kelly if you would like to find out any updates. Please, don’t forget my fight for VE!  JB x

March 8 – Finally, in words dad would have used…… DAMN YOU TO HELL Kevin Andrews.