I am a senior citizen and in relatively good health. However, I know full well the day is coming when this will not be the situation.

Through my many years upon this earth, I have witnessed too many family and friends suffer through terrible diseases until they fianlly succumb. This suffering has prompted me to write this letter.

I would like to see a law passed in Maine similar to the “Death with Dignity” laws in Oregon, Washington, Vermont and Montana. Our great country applauds living a dignified life, which most of us adhere to. This same logic should also apply when the time comes to control the end of our life.

The “Death with Dignity” law allows your physician to assist you in dying.

Is there any organization out there that is trying to fulfill that right? Please be in touch with me as I am willing to do whatever it takes to help get legislation passed to legalize “Death with Dignity.” At this point, I am contacting my state legislators and relaying my concerns to them.

The way it is now, the people who believe in “Death with Dignity” do not have a choice. If this is ever enacted into law, it would provide people with a choice allowing people to end their suffering by legal means.

I believe democracy is all about allowing an individual to make choices about their lives and, ultimately, about their death.

Jean Shore-Cabral, Saco