In a poignant call for legislative change, renowned photographer Rankin has partnered with the campaign group Dignity in Dying to launch a series of videos urging Members of Parliament to revive the stalled assisted dying bill in England and Wales. This initiative comes in the wake of the heartbreaking story of Paola Marra, whose courageous final days highlighted the urgent need for individuals facing terminal illness to have the right to choose a dignified end to their lives.
A Personal Journey to Advocacy
In December 2023, Rankin set up an evocative pop-up studio in London’s Carnaby Street, inviting members of the public to share in the creation of memorable portraits. Among those who visited was Paola Marra, a 53-year-old former charity worker diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer. Paola’s visit was not just about capturing a moment; it was her way of saying goodbye. “I’m going to Dignitas,” she told Rankin, a statement that reverberated with profound significance. The image of her defiantly raising a finger to cancer became a powerful symbol of her fight and the broader struggle for assisted dying rights.
Sadly, Paola passed away in March 2024 at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland, just a day after her poignant portrait was shared with the world. This moment served as a catalyst for renewed advocacy, as Labour MP Kim Leadbeater championed the assisted dying bill, which had initially gained traction in the Commons before encountering significant hurdles in the Lords, where it was delayed due to over 1,200 amendments proposed by a select group of peers.
A Collective Voice for Change
On Monday, Rankin’s collaboration with Dignity in Dying bore new fruit with the release of the video series titled “Time to Back the Bill Again.” The first of these films features candid interviews with eight individuals aged between 19 and 77, all of whom are grappling with terminal illnesses or the knowledge that they will face such conditions in their lifetime. The video begins with a stark declaration: “Yep. I’m terminal,” and evolves into a collective plea for the right to choose how they approach the end of their lives.
Rankin, who previously addressed the topic of mortality through his 2013 exhibition and documentary *Alive in the Face of Death*, expressed his admiration for the participants. “It’s inspiring to meet them all, because they’re all very different and have very different rationales and reasons for it,” he noted, but added that they share a common frustration at the bill’s stagnation. “Why hasn’t this law been passed? It’s about taking control of one’s life in a responsible and dignified way.”
Dignity in Dying has highlighted recent polling data from Opinium indicating substantial public support for continuing the debate on assisted dying. In fact, 69% of respondents believe that Parliament should pursue a decision on the bill, while 61% feel the government should ensure sufficient time for MPs and peers to deliberate and vote.
Stories of Struggle and Hope
Among those featured in the video series is Barbara Shooter, 69, who courageously assisted her husband, Adrian, in travelling to Dignitas in 2022 after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Recalling the experience, she said, “It was getting control back. Once he knew he had a day, it was very powerful. He cheered up no end… And he had a calm, peaceful death.” Now facing her own diagnosis of the same disease, Barbara is appalled at the actions of the few peers who have hindered the bill. “Who wants to face horror and pain and awfulness at the end of their life? Some may be content to let nature take its course, but I want my choice,” she asserted.
Maddie Cowey, 28, who has lived with an incurable form of cancer since her teenage years, echoed these sentiments. “Not having an alternative option is really scary,” she said. With over 30 nodules in her lungs, Maddie is acutely aware of the potential for rapid decline. “Having the alternative of being able to choose how and when it happens would give me a lot of peace and hope,” she added, highlighting the emotional toll that uncertainty brings.
The Call for Legislative Action
Sarah Wootton, the chief executive of Dignity in Dying, emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating, “Every week, dying people are left with the same cruel options: suffer, travel abroad to die, or act alone.” The implications of the stalled legislation extend beyond individual tragedies; they call into question the very principles of compassion and democracy within the UK’s legislative framework. “MPs voted for compassion. Unelected peers with their own agenda tore down our democratic principles. Parliament has unfinished business,” she asserted.
Why it Matters
The fight for assisted dying legislation is more than just a legal battle; it is a deeply human issue that impacts the lives of countless individuals and families. With the voices of those who have faced terminal illnesses now amplified through Rankin’s powerful storytelling, there is a renewed hope that the campaign will galvanise public support and parliamentary action. As society grapples with the complexities of life and death, the call for compassion and choice remains a fundamental aspect of the debate, reminding us that every individual deserves a dignified and autonomous end to their life journey.
