Readers sharing their sad tales of loved ones dying is so brave...how dare we not listen?'

THE daughter of Dame Esther Rantzen was moved to tears by heartfelt letters which have flooded into the Daily Express's office in support of her Mum's assisted dying campaign.

- Hanna Geissler

TV presenter Dame Esther, 83, has stage four lung cancer and Rebecca Wilcox said the words of those who shared tragic experiences and fears were a painful but important reminder of what she is fighting for.

One reader revealed her "husband and soulmate of over 35 years suffered beyond words" for more than two years. She added: "I would have sold my soul for him not to have suffered as much."

Another wrote of those who oppose assisted dying, saying: "These people do not realise it's not just the patients suffering, it's the close family who go through massive distress and torment."

Broadcaster Rebecca, 44, said: "Sharing these stories is so brave. How dare we not listen?

"It is so difficult these days to write a physical letter. The fact that they are sitting here these genuine voices on paper telling these terrible stories and being so brave to contact Mum and the Express, I'm so grateful.

Felicity Searle said her quality of life had deteriorated since being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 10 years ago.

Felicity, 79, of Devon, fears the condition will rob her of her dignity.

She wrote: "I dread the time ahead, a helpless, incontinent, crumbling heap...I am deteriorating. The future frightens me.

"Animals have more dignity than us. If we kept them suffering physically, going on and on, it would be deemed cruel.

"We can end their suffering when we know they've had enough. But humans? Nothing so dignified.

"Shame on them who don't want to make assisted dying legal."

Reading the letter, Rebecca said: "This is clearly someone who is so fearful of the future.