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Choosing to Die shares the first personal story ever written about VSED (Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking) as an end of life choice. You can buy it on Amazon now. SEARCH FOR MEANING FESTIVAL: February 24, 2018 at Seattle University Click to watch this Phyllis’ inspiring presentation. Search for Meaning is Seattle University’s annual community festival dedicated to topics surrounding the human quest for meaning, and the characteristics of an ethical and well-lived life. Phyllis Shacter is one of 50 authors who has been chosen to speak at this event.

View this 30 minute podcast from Death Hangout. In this June 2017 interview, Phyllis speaks about VSED and how it relates to our lives today. Click to read a Harvard Law Blog book review of Choosing to Die. The First National Conference on VSED: October 14 – 15, 2016 at Seattle University. This was a large multi-disciplinary academic conference with an audience of mostly doctors, lawyers, hospice workers, nurses and social workers. This 23 minute video covers Phyllis’ presentation.

This memoir and guidebook follows the journey Phyllis took with her husband, Alan, once he decided to VSED. Read More …

On November 2013, only seven months after her husband died, Phyllis gives a TEDxBellingham talk. This poignant talk explains the five choices Phyllis’ husband Alan made leading up to his decision to voluntarily stop eating and drinking (VSED). Read More … For an expanded, more informative, version of the TEDx talk. – CLICK HERE.

Paula Span, journalist for the N.Y. Times newspaper, wrote about the first National Conference on VSED held at Seattle University October 14 – 15, 2016. Alan Alberts’ VSED journey is mentioned in the article. Read More … To view Phyllis’ presentation at the VSED conference. – CLICK HERE.

The VSED Choice Is VSED Suicide? VSED in 9 ½ Days Medical Preparations Care Giving Supplies Legal Preparations Being An Advocate Read More …

 

My husband, Alan Alberts, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and laryngeal cancer toward the end of 2011. He was able to heal the cancer, but the Alzheimer’s advanced. While he was still mentally competent, he decided to voluntarily stop eating and drinking (also called VSED) so he did not have to endure the indignities of living into the late stages of Alzheimer’s. Alan died consciously and peacefully on April 19, 2013.

Alan knew it was time to stop eating and drinking when he was too fatigued and no longer engaged in life in a way that was meaningful to him. His personal marker was when he could no longer attend our local Center for Spiritual Living (CSL). This Center represented love and community to Alan. This photo is from Alan’s last time at CSL.

My website includes the details that led up to his decision and the substance of what occurred during his decision making process. I’ve included details from the nine and a half days of his fast. I was his advocate. I share everything I did to support him through the process. There are online interviews, informative presentations, pertinent medical and legal guidelines, and more.

My husband’s choice may not be your choice or the choice of your loved one. But it is my hope that if we each participate in the planning of our own death, we may have the same kind of peace that my husband experienced.

Phyllis Shacter header image photo credit: Jeff Aspnes Photography