Robert Munsch, the renowned children’s author, has been approved for a medically assisted death under Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) laws. Although no date has been set for this decision, Munsch, who celebrated his 80th birthday this summer, has expressed his conviction about the choice.

Munsch is the creator of over 70 beloved children’s books, including classics like "The Paper Bag Princess," "Love You Forever," "Thomas’ Snowsuit," and "Angela’s Airplane." His works have likely found a place in most Canadian households with children over the past four decades.

Despite the joy his stories have brought to many, Munsch's life has been marked by personal challenges. The inspiration for "Love You Forever" came from his own tragedy; he and his wife, Ann, faced the heartbreak of losing two children, a stillborn son named Sam and a daughter named Gilly. They later adopted three children. Reflecting on this experience, Munsch remarked, "Until that time, I had this funny feeling you could just sashay your way around and get what you wanted. Then I discovered that we couldn’t."

Munsch has also been open about his struggles with addiction to cocaine and alcohol, as well as his diagnosis of bipolar disorder. In 2008, he suffered a stroke, and in 2021, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with dementia. "I can’t drive, I can’t ride a bicycle, I can’t write. So it’s been really whittling away on who I thought I was," he shared in an interview.

Following his dementia diagnosis, Munsch applied for MAID and was approved shortly thereafter. He humorously recounted his application, saying, "Hello, Doc — come kill me!" He also expressed his thoughts on the process, stating, "How much time do I have? Fifteen seconds!"

Munsch's decision to pursue MAID was influenced by witnessing his brother's struggle with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). He noted, "They kept him alive through all these interventions. I thought: Let him die." He plans to choose the timing of his death based on his ability to communicate. "I will choose to die when I start having real trouble talking and communicating. Then I’ll know," he said.

MAID regulations require that consent be confirmed at the time of death. Munsch explained, "I have to pick the moment when I can still ask for it." He has expressed concerns about his future, saying, "I worry about what I’ll be in a year. Will I be a turnip in a bed in a year?"

Currently, Munsch is in a phase of his neurodegenerative process where he is symptomatic but still self-aware. He described this experience, saying, "I can feel it going further and further away."

In 2023, Munsch found inspiration to write a new story about two girls causing chaos in a hospital, titled "Bounce," which was published last year. Another of his works, "The Perfect Paper Airplane," originally written years ago, is set to be released this fall.

Born in Pittsburgh, Munsch moved to Canada in 1975. He was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in 1999 and received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2009. He is also known for being the most stolen author from the Toronto Public Library.

In a recent profile, Munsch shared a moment from his 1985 book "Mortimer," demonstrating his storytelling ability despite his speech challenges. "I notice that the stories are mostly free from the problems I have with speech," he said, echoing his belief that his stories will endure even as he faces his health challenges.