The freedom to die
Sir: I have only today seen the SPECTATOR of 7 February. I want to thank you for publishing so unbiased an article as Dr John Rowan Wil- son's on The freedom to die.' He deals with problems that we are all reluctant to consider objectively: not only are they distressing but they are likely sooner or later to have a per- sonal application.
For five years I worked professionally among the very old: I am not without knowledge of their problems. I am now myself an old-age -pensioner. A year ago I signed a declaration of a wish for euthanasia (my solicitor based this on the Euthanasia Society's draft of one). It was witnessed by a JP and lodged with my executors; my close relatives all have copies of it; my doctor has put it in my case file. He of course says he can do nothing; but I feel that at least my wishes are clear. I hope that a declaration such as mine will eventually be- come legal but fear that by the time it is I may be too gaga to avail myself of it.
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