Barcelona, Spain, 2026: Spain’s Constitutional Court has rejected an appeal filed by the father of a 25 year old paraplegic woman known as Noelia, clearing the way for her to proceed with euthanasia under Spanish law.
Paraplegia is a form of paralysis that affects the lower half of the body, particularly the legs. It occurs when damage to the nervous system disrupts the brain’s ability to send signals to the muscles, resulting in loss of voluntary movement and control below the affected area. 1
The ruling confirms that granting her request does not violate fundamental rights. The case has drawn national and international attention due to her age, mental health history and the circumstances that led to her disability.
In October 2022, Noelia attempted suicide by jumping from a fifth floor window. She survived the fall but sustained severe spinal injuries that left her paraplegic.
Since the incident, she has lived with chronic pain and significant physical limitations. Court documents cited in reports state that before the fall she had made multiple suicide attempts, including medication overdoses, and had struggled with psychiatric illness.
In July 2024, a specialist medical commission in Catalonia approved Noelia’s request for euthanasia. The panel determined that she met Spain’s legal requirements for assisted dying.
Her euthanasia was scheduled for August 2024. However, the procedure was halted after her father filed a legal challenge.
Noelia’s father argued in court that his daughter suffers from a personality disorder and ongoing psychiatric issues that impair her ability to make a free and informed decision.
He maintained that she had previously shown improvement through rehabilitation and had, at times, expressed uncertainty about wanting to die.
The conservative legal advocacy group Abogados Cristianos supported the father’s challenge.
Lower courts rejected the father’s objections. On February 20, 2026, Spain’s Constitutional Court also dismissed his appeal.
The court ruled that authorizing euthanasia in Noelia’s case does not violate constitutional protections. Judges determined that the medical approval process followed the law and that she met the legal criteria.
Following the decision, Abogados Cristianos announced plans to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.
Polonia Castellanos, president of Abogados Cristianos, said:
“We will not abandon these parents. We will continue to fight to the end to defend their right to save their daughter's life.”
October 2022: Suicide attempt leaves Noelia paraplegic
July 2024: Catalonia medical commission approves euthanasia request
August 2024: Procedure postponed after father files legal challenge
March 2025: Noelia testifies in court
February 20, 2026: Spain’s Constitutional Court upholds approval
In March 2025, Noelia addressed the court directly. According to reports, she told the judge:
“I want to finish with dignity once and for all.”
Her testimony became a central part of the legal proceedings and public debate surrounding the case.
Reference:
1. Cleveland Clinic. 2022. “Paraplegia.” Cleveland Clinic. Accessed February 28, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23984-paraplegia.
(Rh/ARC)