My ex-wife took her own life this year, leaving our daughter behind and the rest of us to pick up the pieces. She, like those in your article on Exit, was suffering from a terrible disease: hopelessness. We fought to keep her alive, to help her see there was hope. We failed. Yes, people facing some illnesses should have the right to slip away, but making it as easy as Exit would allow seems irresponsible and inhumane. Most people who take their lives need help to stay alive, not help to die.
MJ Freeman
Manchester
Your article says “even” Dignity In Dying is sceptical of Exit’s activities. Our position is hardly surprising: only a change in the law can provide the necessary safeguards. Frustration with the current situation should be channelled into campaigning for law change. Becoming arbiters of who receives assistance to die is not the answer, and potentially endangers vulnerable people.
Sarah Wootton
Chief executive, Dignity In Dying
London W1
Having been a fan of the Spice Girls’ feminist chutzpah back in the day, I was interested to see what Mel B had to say. I got as far as “surgically-enhanced boobs”, whereupon I lost interest.
Nigel Woodcock
Stretford, Manchester
Is anyone over 69 too old to have a birthday? Should we all join Exit?
Angela Huxter
Boars Hill, Oxford
I turned 30 in July, and freaked out about it because I’d been treading water for 11 years. I must try harder before 10 more years pass me by. The thought of my life being exactly the same at 40 is frankly terrifying.
Sarah Rubery
Nottingham
Having been 59 for half the year, it was a pleasure to read that Val McDermid has never felt more alive to possibilities. We are a lucky generation. But I won’t be joining her on the bus pass just yet – not until I’m 65 years, eight months and 21 days.
Gill Greenwood
Sheffield
Gendered Christmas presents? Seriously? I am a woman, but my interests do not include clothes or makeup. That’s me screwed, then. Speaking of which, the “men’s” screwdriver was nice, but what would I want with one of those?
Helen Lord
By email
A £60 luggage tag? Admit it: you put that in just to wind us up.
Kate Hebditch
Dorchester, Dorset
Did anyone else think there couldn’t be a man more poorly suited for a job than the fragile, Guardian-reading builder in What I’m Really Thinking?
Martin Pocock
Banbury
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