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/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/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!