Roger Foley, a Canadian man suffering from spinocerebellar ataxia, has shared that hospital staff repeatedly suggested medically assisted death as he sought self-directed home care essential for his survival.
Foley has been confined to Victoria Hospital in Ontario since 2016, trying to secure a personalized home-care plan. His attending physician, Dr. George K. Dresser, confirmed in a letter that Foley could leave if the Ontario government approved this arrangement.
Despite his stable condition, Foley remains hospitalized due to inadequate community programs for complex needs. Dr. Dresser noted that standardized care does not suit Foley, who demands constant, specialized support. Furthermore, leaving him in the hospital may be more costly than home-based care.
Foley claims the idea of assisted death was revisited in 2017 during a contentious discharge process, with implied threats of daily hospital fees if he refused offered care options. His plea to return home involves recruiting personal support workers if funding is sanctioned.
His situation worsened in May 2025 when the hospital stopped providing lighting suited to his condition, making care troublesome. Foley argues this change forced him to wear restrictive goggles, hindering basic activities like eating and drinking.
Amid ongoing negotiations with hospital staff, Foley claims some personnel were told not to care for him unless using fluorescent lighting, adding to his stress as he alleged that questions about suicidal thoughts resurfaced.
Throughout his hardships, Foley has maintained his apartment, which is suitably equipped for his needs. His preference is a self-directed funding model, enabling patients to select and manage their caregivers apart from traditional systems. Foley regards this approach as safer for complex medical needs.
Though Foley intends to fund outside assistance to address his care deficit, financial barriers remain. He has emphasized his ongoing determination, despite a long-standing failure to secure necessary funding.
Foley’s past career in banking and entertainment ended as his health declined, but he’s engaged in projects like “Bring Roger Home” to raise funds. His song “Limitless with Limitations” spreads his message of resilience.
Foley critiques the Canadian MAID system, advocating for accessible treatment and alternative care before considering assisted death. He emphasizes that continuing his life requires comprehensive support, not simply an option to end it.
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