Last weekend Lord Rix passed away and our condolences go to his loved ones. He had spent much of his life campaigning for the rights of people with learning disabilities and played an instrumental role at Mencap, of which he was President when he died.
His decision to be open about his change of mind as a result of experiencing a terminal illness is a sign of a rare humility.
Despite having previously opposed assisted dying in the House of Lords he recently concluded that assisted dying should be made lawful in this country.
He understood both the concerns of disabled people and, as someone with a terminal illness, the importance of having choice at the end of life. His plea demonstrated what many disability organisations fail to recognise: that the views of terminally ill people are paramount in the conversation.
Whilst too late for some, his letter shows people do change their mind - that in itself should give us hope.
