April 5, 2026
It’s Your Say
It’s time for your say.
For over 20 years we have been asking you why you join Exit and why you want to read the Peaceful Pill Handbook.
This is what you say.
Gillian, 79 years
I have always been interested in having a good death after watching many loved ones suffer unnecessarily. I feel it gives me more freedom to live well knowing that I will have some control over the end of my life.
Sue, 76 years
76-years – female with chronic mobility issues rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Osteoporosis and skin thinning due to long term steroid use. I have had a full life and I am not keen to progress to a point of being totally dependent on on others. I still have business interests. I am rapidly approaching a point of frailty beyond my comfort level & I don’t meet the criteria for MAiD. I have been married 60 years this year. We have 2 beautiful daughters, 6 grandchildren & a precious new great grand daughter.
Kurt, 62 years
My name is Kurt. I’m 62, a handsome chappy with degrees in sociology and philosophy. I did buy the Peaceful Pill Handbook a couple of years ago but failed to complete my renewal. As with so many things, ill health got in the way. I have severe emphysema. I was diagnosed in my 30s. As a talented journalist and someone deeply committed to Queer politics and activism this diagnosis completely derailed my life.
So how did I cope? I learned to plan and strategise. Spontaneity becomes a lost luxury, replaced by thoughtful anticipation and a self-caring discipline which foregrounded routine and vigilance.
These same skills inform my approach to my death; take nothing for granted and do not assume change is accompanied by a warning. Hence, I know iti is time to revisit the Peaceful Pill Handbook.
My health has flown into freefall. My lung capacity has decreased, I have system sarcopenia, my mobility is compromised and I am housebound. A whole technology of care has swung into action which is hell bent on presevering my chronicitities and calling it life.
My day to day existence makes a mockery of this word.
Yes, I still find meaning in simple pleasures but even these are undercut by an increasing symptom load which does not.
Tricia, 67 years
At the end of 2008 my father used a gun when he wanted out of his age-induced debilitation, and wouldn’t tell me when before the event, in case it was construed as complicity. But he did it NY eve, so as not to ‘spoil another year’, but inevitably I was the one who found him and I never got to say goodbye. My life, my choice; there has to be a better way in a civilised society.
Jordie, 63 years
I a a 63-year old man with a terminal illness, being MND (ALS). While I will have access to voluntary assisted dying this may be years away by which time I will be severely impacted. My quality of life is already poor, and will only get worse.
Kevin, 81 years
I am 81 years old and a strong believer in individual right to a peaceful end of life. I also believe I should live my life to the point I can live independently.
Beverley, 70 years
Euthanasia legislation has just passed in the ACT in Australia. I want a safety net in case I don’t qualify.
Gary, 59 years
For decades I’ve had the conviction that I should be able to choose when and how I want my life to end.