Belgian Paralympic wheelchair racer Marieke Vervoort says if euthanasia wasn't legal in her country, she would already be dead.
The 37-year-old, who won silver in the women's 400m T52 in Rio on Saturday, made international headlines after publicly contemplating ending her life because a degenerative muscle disease leaves her in agony and struggling to sleep.
Euthanasia has been legal in Belgium since 2002 and Vervoort signed her papers eight years ago, allowing her the freedom to end her life when she chooses.
She's calling for it to be legalised globally, so everyone else has the same right.
"If I didn't have those papers, I think I would have already committed suicide," she said.
"I'm still alive because I've got those papers in my hand and I know when it's too much for me, then I have my own life in my hands."
The London gold medallist suffers epileptic attacks, her vision has deteriorated to about 20 per cent and she needs a nurse to help her four times a day.
"I can suffer so much that I lose consciousness because of pain," she said.
"What is coming next? I'm really scared.
"Every year it's getting worse and every time I have to give things up. If you saw me years ago, I was able to draw beautiful art. Now it's impossible," she said.
Vervoort plans to retire from para-athletics after Rio, saying a gold medal would be her "last wish".
Competing has been her medicine and she uses training to vent her frustrations.
"I push so hard at the push rims to push all my fear, all my anger, everything away," Vervoort said.
The accomplished athlete still hopes to finish her career on top of the podium when she contests the T52 100m sprint next Saturday.
"When I finish it's going to be very, very hard," she said.
"I'm going to cry very hard because it's my last time that I will be in a racing chair."
But in the immediate aftermath of the Games, she has a lot of living to do, stressing that she would only resort to euthanasia once her suffering becomes unbearable.
Vervoort, who has already bungee jumped in a wheelchair, has a big bucket list, which includes stunt flying.
"I want to inspire people that they have to live day by day and enjoy every little moment," she said.
* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
