A man has spoken out about developments to his plans to be euthanised, originally applying out of fear of homelessness.
Amir Farsoud has been relying on government housing and food payouts after injuring his back and becoming severely disabled in an accident several years ago.
In October, the 54-year-old became worried he would end up living on the streets after the shared accommodation he lives in, located in St Catharines, Ontario, Canada, got put up for sale.
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Farsoud - an Iranian immigrant - subsequently decided to apply for Canada's medically assisted death programme for the terminally ill and debilitatingly disabled (MAiD), however, he's since revealed he's had a change of heart as a result of the community's fundraising efforts.
After news of Farsoud's situation spread in the media, a GoFundMe page titled, 'Choose 2 LIVE,' was organised by a user named Effie C, who said they felt 'compelled to help' Farsoud despite not knowing the man.
They wrote: "Please, everyone, my goal is to raise enough money for him to be able to pay his rent and for food for the next seven years so he can apply and move into affordable housing and show him hope.
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"We need humanity to win. We are all in this life together and as Canadians we need to help. If the past three years taught us anything it’s that without compassion, resilience, community and good health we are nothing. If we all donate what we can spare, we can help him."
The GoFundMe page has since raised over $60,000 CAD and has encouraged Farsoud to rethink his plans.
The Iranian immigrant - who fled the Middle Eastern country at the age of 12 - told City News: "I honestly thought by December I wouldn’t be here. So no, I certainly did not envision this by any stretch of the imagination
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"[...] I have felt like this one time in my life. When we left Iran and got to France, we left the plane and I was a kid, but I fell to my knees and kissed the tarmac, because no one was going to shoot me, no demonstrations, no army, no burning buildings.
"I’m going to get up in the morning knowing I wouldn’t be dead that night. The way I feel or have been feeling since this happened, that’s the closest I’ve come [to that]."
"The people who would be using it are people that society deemed ... throwaways." - Amir Farsoud Love them, do not reject. #prolife #VivaChristoRey
In a previous interview with City News, the 54-year-old explained his rationale behind signing up for the euthanasia programme.
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"I don’t want to die but I don’t want to be homeless more than I don’t want to die," he said. "I know, in my present health condition, I wouldn’t survive it anyway. It wouldn’t be at all dignified waiting, so if that becomes my two options, it’s pretty much a no-brainer."
However, the fundraiser has provided him with a new lease of life.
So far, the money from the GoFundMe has helped Farsoud pay off debts and loans amounting to $20,000.
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While he awaits affordable housing, his shared accommodation has also been taken off the market.
The fundraiser has since been closed so the 54-year-old can keep receiving Ontario Disability Support Payments, which he is adding to by $800 every month to see him through the next four years until he's received new housing.
Farsoud resolved: "Basically as long as I have enough that I’m not going hungry and not worrying about the basics until however many months or years I went on the waiting list for permanent, stable, affordable housing. That’s all I ever wanted.
"People in my shoes don’t want extravagant lifestyles, we just want to move on."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123
Topics: Health, Mental Health, Money, World News, Canada