Colin Campbell's diary on his journey with multiple sclerosis and opinions on assisted suicide brings up many thoughts and feelings for me (A glimmer of hope has allowed me to call off my suicide ... for now, Journey to death, June 11). I too have primary progressive MS and it sounds as if my symptoms might be more affecting than Colin's. MS is indeed a punishing condition but it isn't a death sentence. We are all different but many people with MS live rich lives by seeking out and accepting help from wherever it's offered and by adopting strategies that help to manage the condition. Exercise, mindfulness, good diet and meeting with other MSers has worked for me. I go to the Inverness MS Therapy Centre and a support group in Elgin. I depend on home care but love the attitude and professionalism of my carers – lovely human beings whose instinct is to care. It's no picnic living with MS; at times it is lonely and depressing and I feel for Colin.
It's hard accepting that there is unlikely to be a cure in my lifetime. But it would be a mistake if your readers – many of whom will be living with a chronic, debilitating condition – concluded that Scottish society offered only early death as a solution. There is so much that can be done – even with decreased capacity – to make the world a better place. Starting with our own communities.
Alan Beevers
Forres
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