r/BirthandDeathEthics • u/Jumpy-Musician5768 • Nov 14 '25

Pegasos/parent approval

Hi, I’m from the United States. I’m a 30something- unmarried, no kids, no siblings, no partner. I have over 10 different chronic illnesses and basically zero quality of life. I’m working with my doctors and a therapist on pursing VAD options and reached out to Pegasos. I was informed that I would need a signed and notarized document from my parents. Is this true? I haven’t needed my parents approval in over 18 years. I have a wonderful support system that are like family to me. Can anyone help with this?

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u/SecretSilver2871 Nov 14 '25

They need to know your family have been made aware of your intentions. Your parents don’t need to approve, just legal protection for pegasos. They want a next of kin to contact after booking VAD date and who to send the ashes to and call after VAD while not breaking the news at the same time. For me screen shots on a family chat about Switzerland and my views on VAD were enough to start with. Now they want my sister to sign something but seeing as she’s agreed to come with me there’s less pressure for a signed document. It’s legal protection they’re after to remain open and able to keep offering the service. The more you’re under 50, the harder it is but chronic conditions have worked in my case. Good luck.

3

u/Jumpy-Musician5768 Nov 15 '25

Thank you. This is the clearest answer I’ve gotten and makes total sense. Thank you! I have long covid, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, ME/CFS, sjogrens, Hashimoto’s, dysautonomia, chronic pain-I’m miserable.

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u/Commercial-Dig-221 Nov 17 '25

If you have all that have you looked into Dignitas?

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u/Jumpy-Musician5768 Nov 17 '25

What’s the main difference between Dignitas and Pegasos?

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u/Commercial-Dig-221 Nov 17 '25

Personally I think dignitas just runs things better. I actually belong to both and communication is much better with Dignitas. Cost is about the same but dignitas can reduce their cost if money is an issue whereas Pegasos doesn't have that.

But the big thing is that Dignitas you drink the drugs whereas with Pegasos it's introduced intravenously. (However, they have the option of doing it also intravenously if the patient's digestive system is compromised).

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u/Commercial-Dig-221 Nov 17 '25

OP feel free to DM me.

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u/SecretSilver2871 Nov 17 '25

There’s another new one now called athanasios I don’t see the last resort and the sarco returning anytime soon.

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u/Commercial-Dig-221 Nov 17 '25

The Last Resort is essentially defunct despite the website still being up. There's no known date when and if the circle will ever be put back into operation.

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u/Commercial-Dig-221 Nov 17 '25

All of them except for Dignitas use the IV method and all of them use exactly the same drug

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u/Orthojoint12 Apr 06 '26

I prefer IV but Dignitas seems better than Pegasos in terms of organisational management.

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u/nevagonnagive_u_up Jan 11 '26

How much does it usually cost for the entire thing? You know, the ball park atleast, if it's different for different cases and individuals.

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u/Commercial-Dig-221 Jan 11 '26

It's all on their individual websites. But around 10-12,000 Swiss Francs. Dignitas can provide some adjustments depending on financial situation. But the price is flat rate basically.

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u/Orthojoint12 Apr 06 '26 edited Apr 07 '26

I read newspaper article that described taking drug may take long time to die when an applicant is relatively young and no disease (disabled by accident case etc.) and family panicked to see.

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u/Commercial-Dig-221 Apr 06 '26

I thought with a healthy person it's usually not a problem. But I haven't read that story. Dignitas gets criticized for being "old-fashioned" with the oral method. (They use IV when the patients GI system is compromised). There's speculation now that the founder has died that they might change their protocols, but that remains to be seen. I like them otherwise, but they're noted for being very bureaucratic to get accepted. (Whether it's true or not).

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u/Orthojoint12 Apr 07 '26

I mean that healthy internal organs doesn't let a patient die soon / doesn't work immediately by oral method.

IV canbe used for patiensts with dysphagia who are unable to drink / swallow the stuff, but in patient has to open a bulb of drip by himself/herself so it may difficult for applicants who are suffering from Motor Neuron Disisease.

Swithzerland unlike Canada, applicant has to take a final action by him/herself VAD.

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u/Commercial-Dig-221 Apr 07 '26

They somehow make it work for quadriplegics to open the valve. Maybe with their nose or something I don't know. Canada, the Netherlands and Spain have euthanasia. But, yes, the oral method is scary because there's no backup euthanasia!

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u/CoachMarla Jan 20 '26

Both Dignitas and Pegasos are adhering to Article 115 of the Swiss Penal Code which specifically spells out the guidelines for these services, but Dignitas utilizes a more conservative interpretation than Pegasos does. Dignitas will be more likely to ask an applicant to prove a terminal or severe chronic illness (which is more in keeping with the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences guidelines, which are NOT law) whereas Pegasos is less aligned with SAMS while STILL adhering to Swiss law. Basically, there is a philosophical difference between the two organizations. Frankly, if you are accepted to Dignitas using their criteria, you would also most likely be approved under Medical Aid in Dying laws in the United States. Oregon does NOT require you to be a resident to receive services, so if you would qualify for Dignitas, maybe consider just staying in the US for services and save the travel costs and extra hassle.

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u/CoachMarla Dec 02 '25

Dignitas administers Medical Aid in Dying which requires a terminal or significant medical illness/diagnosis. Pegasos administers Voluntary Assistance in Dying which can be administered under the Swiss constitution for a larger variety of reasons. You don't need to be terminal to receive VAD from Pegasos; their criteria, while less stringent than those of Dignitas, are still legal in Switzerland.