Woman With ALS Hosts Suicide Party For Loved Ones “Do Not Cry In Front Of Me”

41 year old Betsy Davis was dying of #ALS (#LouGehrig’s disease), a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function.  Rather than wait for her body to deteriorate, she planned to utilize #California’s new doctor-assisted “Right To Die”  law for the terminally ill, and take a lethal dose of drugs that will end her suffering.

Before her dying day, Betsy had a two-day farewell party for close friends and family. “These circumstances are unlike any party you have attended before, requiring emotional stamina, centeredness and openness,” she told them. “The idea to go and spend a beautiful weekend that culminates in their suicide – that is not a normal thing, not a normal, everyday occurrence,” said said Niels Alpert, a friend of Betsy’s. “In the background of the lovely fun, smiles and laughter that we had that weekend was the knowledge of what was coming.” However Betsy’s friends were there for her, as they’ve been during her battle with ALS. Betsy just had one rule for anyone who attended the celebration — no crying in front of her. “Dear rebirth participants you’re all very brave for sending me off on my journey,” she wrote in her invitation. “There are no rules. Wear what you want, speak your mind, dance, hop, chant, sing, pray, but do not cry in front of me. Oh, OK one rule.” More than 30 people attended the party that was held on July 24. As the weekend gathering drew to a close, loved ones kissed and said their goodbyes to Betsy, who was wheeled out to a canopy bed on a hillside and had to take  a combination of morphine, pentobarbital and chloral hydrate prescribed by her doctor.

Betsy Davis has since taken her life and no longer has to suffer. #RIP