Beloved Canadian-American author Robert Munsch made headlines on Sept. 16 as word spread that his application for MAID had been approved. The Times recently published a profile piece on the author of The Paper Bag Princess(1980), where Munsch disclosed that after his dementia and Parkinson’s diagnosis, he put in a request for MAID. This came after he witnessed one of his brothers slowly succumb to Lou Gehrig’s disease, according to CTV News.
In 2021, Munsch told CBC News that he has “ongoing dementia” and has already lost many cognitive functions. His daughter took to Facebook to clear up rumours stating that Munsch “IS NOT DYING” anytime soon.
MAID stands for Medical Assistance in Dying, an intricate procedure that is aptly described by the Government of Canada.
“[It] is a process that allows someone who is found eligible to be able to receive assistance from a medical practitioner in ending their life.”
Candidates must be at least 18-years-old and mentally competent in order to give consent, as well as make a voluntary request and be living with a “grievous and irremediable medical condition.”
While Munsch has been approved for MAID, that doesn’t mean the procedure will take place soon.
