The Feb. 18 Free Press carried a number of letters to the editor which reflected misconceptions about the proposed death-with-dignity law in Vermont. Your readers should know that the physically infirm will have exactly the same protections and safeguards against abuse of the law as all Vermonters. Further, the entire process is completely voluntary. If an otherwise eligible patient does not wish to explore with his or her doctor or family the possibility of a patient-directed death, no prescription is written. And no doctor may be coerced into helping his patient if the doctor is not willing to help.

I affirm the right of each individual to choose for himself or herself from among all legal end-of-life options and I accept the decision of others who state that, under no conditions, would they opt for a patient-directed death. But, I don't believe that these individuals have the right to impose their beliefs on others who hold different values.

No one can really predict what he or she would do in the event that the dying process should become intolerable, and I am not convinced that I would use the law. But, when the time comes, I do want the right to choose from among all my end-of-life options for a gentle and humane death.
MARY LOU ASHTON
Colchester