A brain haemorrhage left a proud, private man as dependent on care home staff as a newborn baby on its mother, right down to demeaning nappy changes.

His family became strangers, forced to watch this 82-year-old great-grandfather turn into Benjamin Button, ageing in reverse.

He could no longer walk, nor feed himself, he talked gibberish, and a once polite and gentle man was often reduced to a cursing, spitting, kicking wee dervish.

Jackie's pal Charlie Danby was much more fortunate when his time came.

Within days of major organ failure being diagnosed, CD had passed away painlessly and peacefully at home.

My wife Nancy has no doubts that given the choice, Jackie, her dad, would have wanted the same dignified exit as CD, our cat.

Society considers it humane to put suffering animals out of their misery.

What was humane about the passing of my father-in-law, or those unfortunate to be dealt considerably more painful and traumatic ends?

Was Dr Iain Kerr humane when he gave sleeping pills to an elderly couple who wanted to die together? I believe he was.

Was the now-retired Clarkston GP compassionate when he told another pensioner how many antidepressants would end his life? Yes again.

Now, if you think Dr Kerr is the first GP to so ease his patients' passing then you probably also still believe in the tooth fairy.

But his reason for confessing was to highlight Margo MacDonald's new assisted suicide bill, before the Scottish Parliament.

Formidable MSP Margo, who has Parkinson's disease, wants registered individuals to be allowed to help the terminally ill end their lives, without fear of prosecution for culpable homicide.

There is no crime of suicide or assisted suicide in Scotland. Depending on the case, the law may get involved.

Dr Kerr has in the past been interviewed about patient deaths, and there are police inquiries into his latest revelations, but any action is unlikely.

Many of his patients have expressed support for him, others no doubt have a different opinion. Either way, assisted suicide should be a personal choice.

Why should people with no hope of recovery be condemned to suffer?

Why should those who feel life is intolerable not be allowed their death wish?

More and more countries are debating assisted suicide. If safeguards are not beyond the Dutch, Belgians, Swiss and several US states – all places where it is legal – then they shouldn't be beyond us.

When my time comes, and it's not at home, peacefully in my own bed, then I hope my GP is from the Dr Kerr school.

The personal method of my passing should not concern politicians or the police.

l What do you think? E-mail letters@evening times.co.uk with your views

IT'S a pity the aborted £15million overhaul of George Square came too early to support Comic Relief.

A fly-on-the-wall documentary of the judging panel's deliberations would surely have raised millions.

A leaked report from the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland is scathing of City Council leader Gordon Matheson.

It seems he hijacked the whole affair, usurping the role of the official chairman, resented the winning design, and "abandoned" the judging process.

Comforting to know the fate of our Dear Green Place is in such assured hands.