Episode

Documenting a Death by Euthanasia
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36:41
Published: Mon Jan 24 2022
Description

This episode contains strong language. Marieke Vervoort was a champion Paralympic athlete from Belgium. In 2016, Vervoort, who had a progressive disease, announced her retirement from professional sports and spoke of her desire to undergo euthanasia.Today, we hear Vervoort’s story from Lynsey Addario, a photojournalist who documented the end of her life.“In most of my experiences covering Iraq and Afghanistan and Democratic Republic of Congo and Darfur, I’m photographing people who are trying not to die,” Lynsey said. “Marieke was the first person I had really met who wanted to die.”Guest: Lynsey Addario, a photojournalist who spent three years with Marieke Vervoort.Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, subscribe to our newsletter. Background reading: Knowing she had the legal right to die helped Marieke Vervoort live her life. It propelled her to medals at the Paralympics. But she could never get away from the pain.Lynsey Addario spent nearly three years photographing Vervoort as she prepared to die by choice. It became one of the most emotional assignments — and friendships — of her life.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Chapters
The podcast episode explores the story of Marike, who expresses a strong desire to undergo euthanasia.
00:00 - 06:59 (06:59)
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Euthanasia
Summary

The podcast episode explores the story of Marike, who expresses a strong desire to undergo euthanasia. The story delves into the daily life of the patient and the liberal euthanasia laws in the country of Belgium.

Episode
Documenting a Death by Euthanasia
Podcast
The Daily
Marieke didn't want her parents to be in the room when she ended her life, in order to protect them.
06:59 - 13:16 (06:17)
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End of life
Summary

Marieke didn't want her parents to be in the room when she ended her life, in order to protect them. The speaker reflects on their own deteriorating condition since eight months ago.

Episode
Documenting a Death by Euthanasia
Podcast
The Daily
Marike shares how her mother's coma changed her perspective on family and on her own thoughts about the end of her life.
13:18 - 18:27 (05:09)
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Relationships
Summary

Marike shares how her mother's coma changed her perspective on family and on her own thoughts about the end of her life.

Episode
Documenting a Death by Euthanasia
Podcast
The Daily
Marike's attempts to plan dates are constantly delayed by unforeseen events such as an infection, her mother's coma, and her doctor's vacation plans.
18:27 - 24:59 (06:32)
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Dating
Summary

Marike's attempts to plan dates are constantly delayed by unforeseen events such as an infection, her mother's coma, and her doctor's vacation plans.

Episode
Documenting a Death by Euthanasia
Podcast
The Daily
A photographer shares the story of his final shoot with a friend who was contemplating suicide, which happened just hours before her death.
24:59 - 30:02 (05:03)
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Suicide
Summary

A photographer shares the story of his final shoot with a friend who was contemplating suicide, which happened just hours before her death.

Episode
Documenting a Death by Euthanasia
Podcast
The Daily
Marike, who was in a coma for six weeks after an accidental overdose of her medication, surprisingly woke up just 10 minutes before the euthanasia doctors were supposed to arrive.
30:02 - 35:07 (05:05)
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euthanasia
Summary

Marike, who was in a coma for six weeks after an accidental overdose of her medication, surprisingly woke up just 10 minutes before the euthanasia doctors were supposed to arrive.

Episode
Documenting a Death by Euthanasia
Podcast
The Daily
Despite the decrease in daily COVID-19 cases, deaths continue to grow, averaging at over 2,000 a day.
35:08 - 36:27 (01:19)
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COVID-19
Summary

Despite the decrease in daily COVID-19 cases, deaths continue to grow, averaging at over 2,000 a day. Meanwhile, officials claim that Russia is planning to install a pro-Russian leader in Ukraine, sparking fears of a potential invasion.

Episode
Documenting a Death by Euthanasia
Podcast
The Daily