Michael Alan Ramey, born August 2, 1938, in Washington. DC, died peacefully, as he wished, on June 12, 2026, in Seattle, after voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED), supported by loving frie...

This nutrition conference included a session on VSED. The video of that session is available here.  

YouTube video by Davy Craig

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) annual conference now includes both VSED and VSED advance directives. Check out this session on May 9, 2025: VSED: A Legal, Viable, and Peaceful End-of-Life Option. Here is the description:   VSED…

I have published and presented on six ways that VSED still matters even where MAID is authorized. This recent World Federation Right to Die webinar covers the role of VSED in New Zealand with Ann David, President of End of Life Choices, New Zealand and Treza Gallogly, a registered Death Doula.     For those who have a terminal diagnosis, but fall outside the requirements to be within a legal timeframe, VSED can offer a safe and natural alternative to VAD. This option is often considered by those with a diagnosis of dementia or other neurological condition. It can also be considered for those living with life-limiting chronic or terminal illness.

YouTube video by Davy Craig

Some recent discussions have pointed to the extraordinarily well documented case of Marcelle Pichon as a an example of VSED. In the middle 1980s, Pichon starved herself to death in her Paris home for forty-five days, keeping a diary of her agony. Her body was not discovered until ten months later.  This is so different from VSED.  * Death from VSED comes from dehydration, not starvation. * Death from VSED happens in about 10 days, not 45 days. * Death from VSED is supervised and supported by clinicians and other caregivers, not in isolation. * Death from VSED is peaceful and comfortable.