Parents Support Mentally Ill Teen After She Decides to End Her Life by Refusing Food: 'Nothing That Could Be Done' “As a mother, I don't want my little girl to die,” Cissy Dekker said of her daughter Iris. “But out of love, I also don't want this life for her"
Nineteen-year-old Iris Dekker from the Netherlands, who had lived with severe depression and chronic pain for several years, passed away in early 2024. Her story has gained international attention due to her family's decision to support her choice regarding the end of her life after years of intensive medical and psychiatric treatment.
The Background
The Struggle: Iris faced significant health challenges, including profound depression and functional neurological disorder (FND), which at times impacted her mobility.
Treatment History: Her family noted that she had undergone numerous interventions, including various forms of therapy and specialized medical treatments, in an effort to find relief from her suffering.
The Decision and Legal Context
End-of-Life Requests: Iris had previously explored legal avenues for voluntary euthanasia, which is a regulated process in the Netherlands.
The Final Choice: Ultimately, Iris made a personal decision regarding her end-of-life care. Her parents, Omar and Cissy, chose to respect her wishes and remained by her side during her final days.
Parental Perspective
Cissy Dekker: Cissy expressed the profound difficulty of the situation, stating that while she did not want to lose her daughter, she recognized the depth of her daughter's pain and supported her out of a desire to see that suffering end.
Omar Dekker: Omar also supported the decision, focusing on his daughter's expressed needs and the reality of her long-term condition.
Topic: As a parent, I think this is the toughest decision for just about any parent (Read 10 times)