Elderly woman goes to the hospital for back pain, instead doctors offer her the option of death

Miriam Lancaster, an 84-year-old Canadian woman, woke up with excruciating back pain, prompting her daughter to call an ambulance for help. When they reached the emergency room, she was shocked when the doctor immediately offered her Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). It was particularly jarring because it came up before other treatment options were even discussed.

According to the NY Post, Lancaster was understandably appalled by the suggestion. “All I knew was that I woke up in excruciating pain — so much so that my daughter came running in from another room,” she shared in a video posted to X. She went on to describe the moment: “Off I went to the Vancouver General Hospital and I was approached by a young lady doctor whose very first words out of her mouth were, ‘We would like to offer you MAiD.'”

Lancaster emphasized that the idea of dying was the furthest thing from her mind. “I was taken aback. That was the last thing on my mind. I just wanted to find out why I was in pain — I did not want to die,” she explained.

I really hope that was a mistake, and the doctor intended to talk to someone who asked about the program

Canada’s MAiD program is designed for eligible adults who have serious, irremediable medical conditions and are experiencing intolerable, irreversible suffering. The program has strict rules, requiring voluntary requests, informed consent, and assessment by two independent professionals before any assistance is provided. This is where Lancaster’s situation seems to diverge significantly from the intended use of the program.

What’s even wilder is Lancaster’s recovery journey. After a month in the hospital for rehabilitation, she recuperated remarkably well. She has since traveled extensively, visiting Mexico, Guatemala, and even climbing the Pacaya volcano.”So my recover has been amazing, and there was no need for MAiD to even be suggested,” Lancaster stated.

Jordan Weaver, Lancaster’s daughter, was with her mother at the hospital during the incident. She explained that their family’s faith plays a big role in their views. “My mother and I are practicing Catholics. We would never accept MAID under any circumstances,” Weaver said, adding that “Her life is valuable to the people who care for her.”

The story has generated immediate blowback from various organizations. Amanda Achtman, who founded the Dying to Meet You Project to prevent euthanasia, wrote, “Stop offering death to people who have adventures to lead!” The Delta Hospice Society also weighed in, blasting the doctor’s quick offer. They said, “MAID should not have been suggested,” and claimed that the doctor’s actions actually broke the law. 

Being healthy and getting medical treatment at that age is already tricky. As Joe Rogan mentioned, being in your 80s is spooky, especially for a world leader. However, it is also hard because a lot of people that age did not have access to advanced healthcare when they were younger, allowing conditions like a calcified fetus to go untreated.