Will Traynor, a quadriplegic man, chooses to end his life through assisted suicide.
In the novel “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes, Will Traynor is a former high-flying executive who becomes quadriplegic after a motorcycle accident. Confined to a wheelchair and unable to live the adventurous and independent life he once cherished, Will finds little joy in his new existence. His mother hires Louisa Clark to be his caretaker, hoping she can brighten his spirits.
Despite a rocky start, Lou and Will develop a deep bond. Louisa discovers that Will has given his parents six months before he intends to visit Dignitas, an assisted suicide facility in Switzerland. Determined to change his mind, Louisa embarks on a mission to show Will that life is worth living, despite his disability. They share many adventures and tender moments, and Louisa falls in love with Will.
However, Will’s mind remains unchanged. He feels that the life he can lead as a quadriplegic is not the life he wants, despite his feelings for Louisa. He believes he’s a shadow of the man he used to be and doesn’t want to live in a state of constant dependency and medical complications. In the end, despite her pleas, Will goes through with his decision to end his life at Dignitas, with Louisa by his side. His choice leaves a profound impact on her, and she is left to grapple with the loss and the lessons about life and choice that she learned from him.
