Belgian Paralympian refutes reports she planned to end her life after Rio

Belgian Paralympian Marieke Vervoort has signed euthanasia papers, but that doesn’t mean she’s ready to end her life.

Vervoort, who won silver in the 400-metre wheelchair race at the Rio Paralympics over the weekend, has an incurable and degenerative spinal condition, having been diagnosed when she was a teenager, according a story by the news wire service Reuters.

In 2008, she received and signed euthanasia papers —assisted suicide is legal in Belgium — but refuted earlier media reports that she was planning to end her life following the Rio Games.

"I have my (euthanasia) papers in my hand, but I'm still enjoying every little moment," she told reporters during an emotional press conference, according to Reuters.

"When the moment comes when I have more bad days than good days, then I have my euthanasia papers, but the time is not there yet."

Vervoort went on to say that merely signing those papers gave her hope and a sense of control in the face of a disease that is gradually taking over her body.

“I have a progressive disease,” she told the Guardian. “Every year, it is worse. Every time, I give things away. If you see me years ago, I could draw beautiful art. Now it is impossible. I see 20 per cent. What’s the next thing coming? I am really scared.”

The Paralympian, who won a gold and silver medal in London four years ago, said she wants to continue to educate people around the world about euthanasia. In Canada, assisted suicide is legal if the person meets certain eligibility criteria.

"I hope other countries like Brazil can talk about it. It makes people live longer. It doesn't mean that when people sign the papers, they have to die two weeks later. I signed my papers in 2008. Look now, 2016 and I won the silver medal,” she told reporters.

"Now my fear of death is gone. Assisted death is something like they operate on you, you go to sleep and never wake. It feels like it will be peaceful. I don't want to suffer when I die."