Assisted dying bill backed by mum who doesn't want son to die abroad
BBC World
February 24, 2026
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Shelley Herniman, the mother of a terminally ill teenager named Noah, has shifted her stance on assisted dying after witnessing her son’s prolonged suffering from an inoperable brain tumour. Initially opposed to Noah’s wish for an assisted death, Shelley now supports legalizing assisted dying in the UK to prevent him from traveling abroad to end his life. This change of heart comes after more than a year of grueling chemotherapy, which left Noah physically debilitated and in severe pain. Shelley’s story highlights the emotional and ethical complexities surrounding end-of-life choices and the impact of prolonged suffering on families.
Noah, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour during the COVID-19 pandemic, underwent 74 weeks of chemotherapy but saw little improvement. His condition deteriorated rapidly, leaving him reliant on feeding tubes, a wheelchair, and unable to perform basic tasks independently. Shelley described witnessing her son’s intense pain and fear of a slow, agonizing death as “terrifying.” These experiences led her to reconsider her opposition to assisted dying, emphasizing the importance of allowing terminally ill individuals in the UK to die with dignity in their own country.
Despite his optimism about the future, Noah acknowledges that his condition will eventually lead to death. He expressed his desire for a quick and dignified end to his life, stating, “I don’t want it hanging over my head for months being scared and terrified.” His mother echoed these sentiments, explaining how she would not want her son to endure further suffering or travel alone to a foreign country to seek assisted dying.
The bill proposing legal changes to allow assisted dying in the UK has sparked significant debate among policymakers and healthcare professionals. While some view it as a way to grant terminally ill patients control over their end-of-life decisions, others, like palliative care consultant Dr. Mark Taubert,
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/24/2026