My Mother's Secret
20/03/2017
One morning in October 2015, two police officers knocked on the door of writer and newspaper columnist Nikki Gemmell. They were there to inform her that her mother Elayn had been found dead in her apartment. An apparent suicide. Did she know of her mother’s plans? Had she inadvertently contributed to her death in some way?
Blindsided by shock and guilt, Nikki was left not only devastated but desperately searching for answers. Alarmed, too, that she was suddenly part of a police investigation.
A vibrant and independent woman, Elayn had been suffering from chronic pain after a failed foot operation and had subsequently become addicted to painkillers.
With four children and a busy career, Nikki had struggled to deal with her mother’s increasing dependence.
Now, like a detective, she began to piece together her mother’s secret life. Who had she told of her plans, if not her family? How had she fed her opioid addiction?
Recognising that her mother had been forced to die a lonely death to protect her loved ones, Nikki dived down the rabbit hole of the euthanasia debate and unexpectedly found herself an advocate for change.
PROGRAM EXTRAS
VIDEO
- Australian Story: My Mother's Secret
RELATED LINKS
- ABC News article
- Euthanasia debate becomes personal for Nikki Gemmell after mother's 'lonely death'
- Beyond Blue
- Information and support to help Australians achieve their best possible mental health.
- Lifeline Australia
- Lifeline counselling services - 13 11 14
- Pain Management Network
- The site contains information to enable you to develop skills and knowledge in the self management of your pain in partnership with your healthcare providers.
Recent Programs
On Borrowed Time
Mojgan Shamsalipoor came to Australia in 2012, aged 17, after fleeing terrible abuse and trauma in her home country, Iran. A lot has changed since then. Mojgan has been released back into Brisbane's community on a bridging visa, but it will expire this month and her future remains uncertain.
Getting Away With Murder
The unsolved murder of Perth brothel madam Shirley Finn is one of Australia’s most notorious cold cases. For Shirley Finn’s daughter, Bridget Shewring, it is a personal tragedy.
Into Hot Water
With early signs that the northern sector of the Great Barrier Reef may be starting to bleach again, this episode tells the timely story of a scientist’s passion and determination to save some of the world’s great coral reefs from extinction.