Betsy Thredgold, 96, frustrated she can’t access voluntary assisted dying legislation

A beloved 96-year-old grandmother who lives in constant pain is frustrated she can’t access SA’s voluntary assisted dying laws – and she wants the legislation changed.

Betsy Thredgold turns 96 this month. But it’s a milestone she’s not terribly excited to reach.

It’s not that she’s worried about the social stigma of being another year older. Or that she’s embarrassed about the prospect of a birthday cake, balloons and candles.

It’s more that she doesn’t want to be here anymore. Her birthday is simply another day of being alive when she’d rather be ... not.

Mrs Thredgold is ready to go. She’s lived a full and rich life, full of family and love. But now, she’s had enough.

Betsy Thredgold, about to turn 96, is one of six residents of a Grange nursing home over 90 who want to die with dignity. 29 April 2025. Picture: Dean Martin

She’s in constant pain and she wants to die. But she’s frustrated that an attempt to access the state’s voluntary assisted dying laws failed because she doesn’t have a terminal illness.

She’s sprightly and quick-witted as we speak in her room at Anglicare’s Grange residential aged care facility, a place she has called home for the past nine years.

“I want to die with dignity,” she says. “I’m old. My body’s old. I’m ready to go.

“It’s the pain I don’t like. I’m quite happy to be alive, it’s just the pain.”

People must have a terminal illness expected to cause their death within 6 to 12 months to access SA’s voluntary assisted dying laws. Requests must also be signed off by two doctors.

Mrs Thredgold says it’s unfair that she can’t access VAD legislation and wants the requirement for a terminal illness removed for people aged over 85.

She is the first to admit she’s lived a full and rich life. She had nine children, two husbands and 30 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Betsy Thredgold is full of praise for the staff at her nursing home. Picture: Dean Martin

Betsy Thredgold, “I can’t stand the pain, and I’m worried that I might not be able to walk.” Picture: Dean Martin

She speaks fondly of growing up as Betsy Scrase at Norton Summit, of how former premier Sir Thomas Playford sometimes drove her to work if she missed her bus, of having nine children with first husband Keith Clarke, and then enjoying more than 20 wonderful years of marriage to second husband Leslie Thredgold.

She’s full of praise for the staff at her nursing home and knows she has a loving family. But she’s had enough of life. And of the constant, debilitating pain she has suffered in her hand, elbow and hip for the past 15 years.

“I can’t stand the pain, and I’m worried that I might not be able to walk and I’ll (one day) be in the same condition as those who can’t control their bowels,” she says.

“You know when you want to go and when you’ve had enough.

“We get looked after here, can’t complain about that – it’s just that when you wake up in the morning, you’re in so much pain. My family are good and I try to be bright, but it’s very hard.”

Health Minister Chris Picton said he was sorry to hear about Betsy Thredgold’s situation. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

Originally published as Betsy Thredgold, 96, frustrated she can’t access voluntary assisted dying legislation