Stein-Anders Rasmussen died last November. He was severely ill with ALS. He could only move his eyes. He wanted assisted suicide, but it is not allowed in Estonia. His family believes that the law should be changed. Because the current situation causes suffering for the person.
His wife Anne-Ly said that the first sign of the illness was Stein-Anders's crying. He cried with joy when daughter Birgit talked about weddings. Later, the words started to tremble. Daughter Birgit said that her father had a confused voice on the phone. He could drink beer, because somehow his voice sounded strange.
The family received different diagnoses. Finally, it was found that he had ALS. This disease was also suffered by Jane Paberit, who in 2019 performed assisted suicide in Switzerland. ALS destroys the nerves of the body. It is certain that people die within 2-5 years. Stein-Anders had a rapid decline both mentally and physically. Speech disappeared first, then hands and feet. Finally, only the eyes moved.
Anne-Ly refused to leave the apartment. She promised to stay at home, doing daily chores. The boy was able to use an eye-controlled tablet. Thus he communicated with tablets, called, and sent messages. Also, the owner remained optimistic and healthy. Anne-Ly said that she would ask for assisted suicide to change the law, because it is a human right.