Final Exit Network: A Client's Story

This is a film about John Macauley Smith, who chose to end his life at age 89, several years after an Alzheimer's diagnosis. John sought out Final Exit Network for education and support in his chosen death.
After reaching out to Final Exit Network, being accepted into the program, and meeting with exit guides, John planned his final day meticulously, choosing to celebrate his life surrounded by family and friends. He faced his last moments with remarkable clarity and happiness.
The Smiths' experience underscores a critical lesson about end of life conversations: it is vitally important to have these difficult discussions, and to embrace them as a gift of love and honesty. By doing so, we offer our loved ones and ourselves a path to peace and dignity. For John and Catherine, this meant acknowledging the inevitable and making a decision that aligned with John's desire for autonomy in dying.
John's story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of being loving and honest about our final wishes, ensuring that our last days are lived with dignity and surrounded by those we cherish most.