ELIZABETH GIROMELLA , 56 years, suffering from Duchenne .
" I, sick as Welby decide on my life "
PISTOIA . I am free even on this wheelchair, her legs that do not want to know more of walking, breathing one day begin to fail.
I am free and want to stay, I want a law on living wills that I make sure I'll decide what to do when it becomes unbearable I love this life that despite all the limitations. For I have the same disease Welby, muscular dystrophy, blocking days days after all the muscles, and like him I want to decide how and whether to treat me.
If tomorrow I accept that a small hole the throat to breathe, I attachino to a machine the lungs to swell and close it there or not.
Giromella Elizabeth has taken 56 years with power and passion, massive doses of polemical spirit - "sa Tuscan and blood is thicker than water" - and drops of irony that punctuate the story of a difficult life living arrangements. Nothing pietism while, long dark hair that frame the face was thin, it is said girl hurt and angry about the disease which strikes in 12 years, the "day when writing becomes a chore" because his arms were suddenly without power .
how did you feel?
"victim of an injustice, I was a teenager, difficult to understand a disease that does not even know how it was going to end, but I have not stopped fighting, I studied, I did a normal life as long as I could. Teaching in elementary school, working at school. No marriage, I did not felt to bind someone knowing my fate, but I have not deprived of anything. Including love. "
15 years in a wheelchair.
"Yes, and the disease goes on, not waiting for me. But I obviously do not stop even if I did not do as I dreamed potto paleontology. I take care of the disabled, to eliminate architectural barriers, the project of the Tuscany region which allocates funds to provide independent living and independent people like myself as well as engage with the Association Luca Coscioni. Because the history of Luke and Pierre is like mine, because the urge, the right to decide their own destiny is the same. Because the Constitution says I can not be compelled to undergo treatment that I will not. "
is religious?
"I believe in something that regulate everything even if they are Catholic in a strict sense. I believe in freedom, in life, but the EXISTING be worth living and that it may decide only those who suffer, those who are sick and not others. This is why I support the living will, my will on paper when one day did not breath and voice to say to doctors. How does
the ruling on Eluana?
"She told her father that such a life would not have endured and I understand. It took sixteen years to court and because they respect his wishes. "
And who says that no one can decide about life?
"answer that everyone is free to do what he wants: to suffer, to seek treatment or not, leaving a will or avoid. The point is all there: the freedom over their lives that is a personal, non-transferable. "
Caterina Pasolini
