Sandra Demontigny suffers from early onset Alzheimer’s disease – the same disease that robbed her father of his health and independence.

She refuses to let the same thing happen to her.

“I want to take care of myself, my body… I don’t want to rely on people,” Demontigny says.

Her personal battle with Alzheimer’s disease became political when she began advocating for advanced requests for medical assistance in dying (MAID).

Today, she says her work has paid off.

Across Quebec, people with serious and incurable illnesses can begin requesting medical assistance in dying before their symptoms deteriorate to the point where they can consent.

“I have been waiting for this day for many years,” says Demontigny, who is also spokesperson for the Quebec Association for the Right to Die with Dignity.

The province is moving forward with the requests despite delays by the Canadian government in amending the Criminal Code.

Currently, providing MAID following a prior request constitutes an offense.

The Quebec government has asked its criminal prosecution office not to lay charges against doctors who process MAID requests as long as they respect provincial law.

In early September, the office’s director issued instructions to prosecutors, saying it would not be in the public interest to charge medical professionals over the issue.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Georges L’Espérance says his colleagues are divided on the subject.

“A lot of doctors I’ve talked to are comfortable with it…many others are not,” he said.

The College of Physicians of Quebec recommends that doctors act with caution.

The Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, says that even if Ottawa is not ready, Quebec is.

“We have the right to make sure all laws are in place when it comes to health and justice,” Dube said.

For his part, federal Health Minister Mark Holland said this week that Canada would launch a national consultation, the conclusions of which would be expected next spring.

As for Demontigny, she will make a request for medical assistance in dying in the coming months.