Husband’s right to a dignified end
ONE OF the last acts of Theresa May’s outgoing Justice Minister, David Gauke, was to lend his support to making assisted dying legal — just days before he left office. This important right is something for which so many of us have been campaigning for such a long time. I so hope David Gauke’s words are listened to by the new Government. On April 28, 2017, my husband Andrew Tyler died at Dignitas. On November 17, 2017, my close friend Annie also died at the Swiss assisted suicide clinic. I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart the lawyer Ludwig Minelli for founding Dignitas, and also the Swiss people for allowing so many foreigners to go to their country to end their lives in such a civilised manner. There is enough grief and sadness without the added burden of watching your loved one dying in pain. We must have this choice: it should be our human right, if we so wish, to die as Andrew and Annie did — but here in the UK. This should be available not just to those of us who are lucky enough, savvy enough, rich enough and ‘well’ enough to be able to flee to a foreign land, but for everyone facing this situation. SARA STARKEY, Tonbridge, Kent.
OH, HOW I agree with Sarah Vine’s view about Parliament needing to pass a law allowing assisted suicide. I have already told my three children that if I get dementia and no longer recognise them, can’t feed myself and do not have a dignified life, then I want to take a pill and go. If only I had the legal right to leave instructions with my GP and solicitor concerning my final wishes. We need to have a Dignitas option in Britain.
DENISE CLAXTON, Wigan, Gtr Manchester.