(Editor’s note: Erica Heilman is the creator of the podcast Rumble Strip Vermont. For more of her shows, visit her website.)
[R]ob Mermin and Bill Morancy lived in neighboring apartments in Montpelier. They were best friends. And when Bill was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he asked his best friend to help him die.
In 2013, Vermont passed the Patient Choice and Control at End of Life Act, or Act 39, also called death with dignity. The legislation allows eligible Vermonters with terminal diseases the option to be prescribed medication that will hasten the end of their life.
In 2015, Bill elected to use Act 39 to end his life, and he asked Rob to help him. This story chronicles their friendship, and the months, days and moments leading up to Bill’s death.
This interview with Mermin, the founder of Circus Smirkus, is just one of the many interviews I have done for the Wake Up to Dying Project, a nonprofit that encourages people to think and talk more about death, dying and life from many different perspectives. For more information go to its website.
The music for this show was made by Vermont musicians Brian Clark and Mike Donofrio. And you’ll hear from the original film soundtracks of “South Pacific” and “Carousel,” both by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The piano licks in this show were made by Vermont pianist Marie Helene Belanger.
