Children’s book author Robert Munsch, well-known for his classic books such as “Love You Forever” and “The Paper Bag Princess,” sat down for an interview with The New York Times recently, where he revealed that he’s planning to end his life with the help of medical assistance.
Munsch, 80, was diagnosed with dementia in 2021, and ultimately came to the decision to use medical aid to die.
According to the Centers for Disease and Control, Dementia is an umbrella term for a decline in mental ability that impacts thinking, memory and behavior.
The author also later learned that he had Pakinson’s disease, which is defined as a progressive brain condition that “causes problems with movement, mental health, sleep, pain, and other health issues,” per the World Health Organization.
Munsch, who currently lives in Guelph, Ontario, told the New York Times that both diagnoses have begun to affect his physical abilities, more so his balance.
“The big thing now is balance,” he explained to the outlet. “And it’s a bad idea if I fall.”
He’s also been struggling with reading. Despite what many might think, it doesn’t stem from being unable to remember what happened in the book, it’s the fact that he’s having difficultly comprehending the text itself. He told The New York Times that the material “seems off.”
It’s gotten so bad that Munsch feels too tired to attempt to read or even go outdoors.
Since his diagnoses, the beloved author has put an end to touring and no longer writes.
Due to the usual decline of both diseases, Munsch decided long ago that he would seek medical assistance in dying and applied for this shortly after he was diagnosed. He was later approved for the medical event.
What influenced his decision was watching his brother slowly wither away from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS.
Per The New York Times, Munsch has no desire to stick around and suffer the same way, saying when he has “real trouble talking and communicating,” that’s when he’ll know its his time to go.
Following his life changing decision that was made public, Scholastic Canada took to social media to release a statement, thanking him for sharing his story.
“It’s an incredibly generous act to open up like this, and it reminds us, once again, why Robert’s work continues to touch many generations.
“We love you forever,” the statement read in an Instagram post.
The famous author has published 85 books, which have sold a combined 87 million copies in North America. This cements Munsch as one of the top-selling children’s book authors in history.