EL PAÍS: Ecuador legalizes euthanasia thanks to Paola Roldan's fight
In the intimate narrative of Paola Roldán's journey, captured through a series of photographs, she courageously unveils her personal battle for the right to decide when to embrace a dignified death. Afflicted by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a condition rendering her immobile and entirely dependent on the care of others, Paola publicly shares her story to lend a voice to a struggle many in the country cannot engage in.
On February 7, 2024, a significant milestone was reached in Ecuador as the Constitutional Court despenalized euthanasia, following a demand presented by Paola Roldán. In a country like Ecuador, where euthanasia had remained illegal until recently, Paola, alongside her legal team, took the fight to the Constitutional Court, seeking to decriminalize this compassionate choice for a dignified end. Confined to a bed, her body sustained by a respirator, Paola endeavored to challenge the conservative and deeply religious norms of this country, paving the way for the legalization of euthanasia.
Aware of the imminent nature of her fate, Paola confronted the possibility of a painful demise due to her condition. Yet, she strove to retain agency over the little she had left—her voice. Organizing every aspect of her home with meticulous care, Paola prepared a trove of gifts for her 3-year-old son, to be unwrapped on significant milestones until he turned 40.
While only nine countries worldwide had embraced the legality of euthanasia, Ecuador, a conservative stronghold, stood outside that brief list. Paola's struggle echoed the protracted battles for rights such as same-sex marriage and abortion in cases of rape, victories achieved only through constitutional rulings and laws in the past years. In her poignant journey, Paola not only contended with her own mortality but also championed a cause that transcended her personal story, pushing the boundaries of societal norms for a more compassionate and humane future.
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Here you can read the different publications about this story:
- Paola Roldán pide abrir el debate de la eutanasia en Ecuador: 'Si no he hecho nada a escondidas en mi vida, ¿por qué tendría que morir así?'
- La batalla de Paola Roldán para obtener la eutanasia en Ecuador
- La lucha de Paola Roldán por tener una muerte digna en Ecuador: 'Reconozcan este derecho que me corresponde'
- La Corte Constitucional de Ecuador legaliza la eutanasia
- 'Ha sido una petición desde el amor': la mujer con ELA que ha logrado la legalización de la eutanasia en Ecuador
