Niamh Shackleton
Warning: This article contains discussion of death and terminal illness which some readers may find distressing.
A mom with an incurable disease has died by starving herself.
Emma Bray was a well-known right-to-die activist who had been suffering with motor neurone disease (MND), which is a life-threatening neurological disorder that currently has no cure.
Following her devastating diagnosis, Emma became part of a campaigning group called Dignity in Dying — a UK-based community calling for assisted dying to be legalized for terminally ill, mentally competent adults specifically.
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Despite her campaigning, assisted dying remains illegal in the UK so Emma decided to die by starving herself before she fully succumbed to her MND, which in its final stages can lead to paralysis.
Emma described her MND as 'the worst disease possible'.
With the devastating health affects the disease can have on a person, Emma decided to voluntarily abstain from eating and drinking so her teenage children didn't see her condition worsen.
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Speaking about her heartbreaking decision, Emma told The Mirror in June: "Imagine seeing your children crying and upset and not be able to hug them or curl up in bed and wipe their tears away.
"This is hands down the thing I hate the most about motor neurone disease," she went on. "It's taken my children's mum from them little by little."
Two days ago, Emma 'finished [her] final spin round the sun'.
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A tear-jerking Instagram post announcing her passing read: "If you are reading this then I've finished my final spin round the sun.
"I've lived a very good life, surrounded by love, music and laughter and I want this to continue in my memory. Rather than shed a tear (or whilst you do) please plant a tree or call a friend, do a random act of kindness or take time to watch a sunset.
"For moments of doubt please ask 'what would Emma do?' and run with that probably inappropriate answer. Hug everyone a little tighter and love openly."
The pre-penned statement from Emma went on: "Please surround those who were closest to me with love, time and patience. And to quote Frank Turner - Remember you get to dance another day but now you have to dance for one more of us. Love you, bye."
Before her passing, Emma made the most of her life the best way she could.
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Per The Mirror, the mom-of-two went on a bucket list trip to the Maldives and even hosted an 'End of Life Party'.
Just a few days before her death, Emma went to watch Alanis Morissette live with a group of her friends as well.
Because she knew that her death was on the horizon, Emma also planned her own funeral and penned a eulogy.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].