After Extreme Sex-Change Distress, Belgian Transsexual Allowed To Die

Nathan Verhelst, born female named Nancy, is a 44-year-old Belgian national, thought that after following his heart to have a sex change, he will finally live "happily ever after." Apparently, it turned out otherwise. Dissatisfied over his physical transformation, Nathan filed for legal euthanasia to achieve his peace of mind.

On Monday afternoon, the Belgian government granted his request after experiencing "unbearable psychological suffering." Reports claimed he most likely have died by lethal injection.

"I was ready to celebrate my new birth," Nathan told Belgium's Het Laatse Nieuws hours before his death. "But when I looked in the mirror, I was disgusted with myself."

Nathan was the first Belgian to choose to die through euthanasia after a botched sex-change. Euthanasia is legal Belgium since 2002.

Nathan began his manly transformation in 2009 using hormone therapy. It was followed by a mastectomy or removal of breasts. In 2012, he had his penis construction. But Nathan did not like the outcome.

"My new breasts did not match my expectations and my new penis had symptoms of rejection. I do not want to be ... a monster."

"When I looked into the mirror after the first operation I was filled with self-loathing."

"Instead of starting a real new life I was incarcerated in a body that I did not wish. It was wrong when I was born as a girl. As a boy I got a body that I didn't want."

The report of Het Laatse Nieuws further revealed more of Nathan's suffering from early, younger years.

"I was the girl that nobody wanted. While my brothers were celebrated, I got a storage room above the garage as a bedroom. 'If only you had been a boy', my mother complained. I was tolerated, nothing more."

Wim Distelmans, a cancer specialist who performed euthanisation on Nathan, said the 44-year-old was suffering immensely.

"The choice of Nathan Verhelst has nothing to do with fatigue of life," Distelmans said. "There are other factors that meant he was in a situation with incurable, unbearable suffering. Unbearable suffering for euthanasia can be both physical and psychological. This was a case that clearly met the conditions demanded by the law. Nathan underwent counseling for six months."

The Daily Mail reported euthanasia deaths in Belgium have increased to 1,432 in 2012 from 1,133 in 2011. Euthanasia can be carried out in Belgium provided those opting for it have to consult first with a doctor and must present clear basis for suffering unbearable pain.

Nathan's family learned of his death only Wednesday morning through a farewell letter.

"I had happy times, but the balance is on the wrong side," Nathan noted.