Canadian icon Robert Munsch has chosen to die by MAID

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/robert-munsch-maid-dementia

43 comments

  1. My father passed away from dementia. I’m thinking MAID would be my choice after seeing the shit he and my mother went through.

  2. Thank you for the stories, Mr. Munsch. They filled my childhood with fun and laughter.

    I hope passing on his own terms will prove a comfort to him and his loved ones.

  3. I’m so sad to hear he’s gone. As a kid, I enjoyed his stories and as a parent, I enjoy reading them to my kid. He’s up there with people like Mr. Dressup.

  4. MAID is a good thing, I’m glad it’s there for Canadians who need it.

  6. Nothing but the best of wishes through the remainder of your journey through life, Mr Munsch!

  8. *I’ll love you forever*
    *I’ll like you for always*
    *As long as I’m living*
    *My writer you’ll be*

  9. Good night, sweet prince. I’ll always remember you, and one day my children will too.

  10. I used to read those books when I was a kid, and now I read them to my kids. A true legend.

  13. Thank you for your stories Mr. Munsch.  I can’t express how much they meant to me.

  14. Thank you Robert Munsch for all the great stories I enjoyed as a child, and that I get to share with my children now. Truly a Canadian legend, you will be missed but definitely not forgotten.

  15. Love You Forever is the saddest book you will ever read to a toddler, but they won’t know it.

    Glad he can find peace on his own terms.

  16. I grew up on those books, and read them to my kids nightly now. He read to my class when I was in elementary school in the 80’s. Love him!

  17. This dude went Platinum in Canadian classrooms. A legend as far as im concerned.

  18. I loved his books as a kid; now my kids love them.The Paper Bag Princess is my absolute favorite.

  20. I 100% respect his decision. It’s his life, his health and he should be afforded death with dignity and grace. 

    I worked in dementia care for years, and it is absolutely brutal on families, the patient and staff. 

    Thank you Robert. You enriched the lives of millions. May your legacy live on in future generations. 

  21. He came to my small Canadian school, and read us his stories. It was a fun day.

  24. Despicable seeing comments elsewhere on his choice. He is suffering. It’s his life. His choice. The audacity of some telling Canada to make MAID illegal because it goes against their personal religions.

  25. He should take this time to colour himself all over with super indelible that will never come off till you’re dead and even sometimes after marker.

  27. I had to help my granddad through the process of MAID when his ALS got the the point where he would be telling us ‘this isn’t a way for anyone to live’. The process with the doctors is the most heartbreaking thing to go through, but I could feel the utmost compassion they had for the people making the choice.

    They sat with my grandad and asked questions about his life, and when we were finalizing it, the one joked with him about it he ever wanted to try any drugs, now’s the time to do it- because what’s the worst thing that could happen?

    The last meal he asked for was an ice cream sundae. He passed with dignity by his own choice surrounded by family.

  28. His stories have and will continue to shape young minds for a long time. Thank you Mr.Munsch.

  29. I am Canadian, my Papa passed when I was 9, we were huge library patrons.

    After he was gone, I would often go to the library and take out the “Bunch of Munsch” VHS’.

    There was something comforting about being read to by Mr. Munsch himself.

  30. The first ‘celebrity’ I ever met. He did a reading in my school library when I was in the Second Grade.

  31. Gosh. I was raised on his books. My mom used to get SO into them. The Mortimer book when the mom shouts “Mortimer go to bed” (or something like that) she’d actually shout it or the “I Have to Go Pee” book she’d shout when the little boy would shout it. Fond memories being read his books and learning to read using his books.

    This is so heartbreaking, but I’m glad in Canada we have this option. I would make a very similar choice with the same diagnosis. He will live on through his books.

  32. Had all his books, listened to many an audio recording.

    I’m glad he’s choosing his own departure, dementia is fucking cruel.

    Many thanks Mr. Munsch for all the happy memories.

  33. One of my core memories is when Robert Munsch came to my grade 3 class and read some of his stories while also making up new stories about some of my classmates.

    25 years later, I still think about that day.
    Mr Munsch, I know you’re probably not going to see this, but your books were a huge part of my childhood. Thank you for bringing so much joy to myself and so many others around the world.

  34. My mother went with MAID. It was hard watching her ups and downs with cancer, but her last few months she deteriorated quickly. She always said she wanted to die with dignity. As soon as she was bedridden, she picked her day a few weeks in advance (she had signed and did the paperwork’s probably a year in advance, but they’re amazing at giving you time if you need it).

    I got to spend the last 3 days with her, by her bed side, telling stories, jokes, saying all the things we knew we needed to say. She was so at peace with her choice. We stayed in the room until she was asleep, and minutes later, she was gone. 

    No more pain, no brutal hospitals/hospices (my FIL went that way, and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy). 

    If you are terminal, and you can see the finish line, please consider MAID, for yourself, but especially for your loved ones. They have to find peace after your passing, and no matter how hard it is, it’s so much gentler and humane to go on your own terms. 

  35. I grew up with his stories. He was so important to mine and millions of other Canadian childhoods. You will always be remembered fondly.

    Dementia is such a terrible disease, and having seen three grandparents go through it, I 100% understand his decision. It’s what I would do as well.

  37. Sad that Robert Munsch is going the same way as Terry Pratchett but appreciate they had the option.

  38. I wish death wasn’t such a taboo south of the border. It’s as much a natural part of life as birth, but Americans treat it as something to be avoided at all costs. I know some states have assisted suicide laws, but it’s far from mainstream acceptance.

  39. Between him and the LeapFrog guy (Mike Wood), we’re losing a lot of educators to dementia. This is unfortunate.

  40. He even has a sense of humor about it:

    >“Hello, Doc — come kill me!” he joked to the Times about his application. “How much time do I have? Fifteen seconds!”

    Classic Munsch. What a legend.

  41. My grandma just recently went through with MAID. She wanted to see all of her children and grandchildren individually one last time. I went there for a weekend and we just sat and talked the whole time. Reminiscing, laughing, crying. I’ll never forget that weekend. I’m beyond grateful that we had that time together, to get a proper goodbye

  42. Whenever he chooses to go, he’ll live on for generations as one of the greats. Between him, Dr Seuss and the The Berenstain Bears, you’ve got a wonderful start for any young reader.

    Thank you, Robert.

  43. My MIL chose MAID this summer. She had been struggling for some time and we knew she wanted to go. Once she got MAID approval she picked a day three days out – just enough for us to fly back out for a final visit. She was an extremely practical woman and just wanted to rip that bandaid off… not just for her but also for us. It happened so fast there was no time to be sad. We had time to talk, laugh, share some memories, then… she was gone. It was strangely less sad and agonizing than the passing of other relatives. While it was still hard, we and she walked through that difficult gate with our heads held high.

    Munsch, you were a mainstay of my childhood! I wish you all the joy and wonder you brought us on your next journey.

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