[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fAZLNbxG6Iy4pTsYxLszno2I64JP6n9FH0iR0pNshxTU":3,"$fIIUoRjuWMjCXlKah_MnubX1yzlmhfwsw3GHh4TbaA_o":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"bio_jsonld":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},164960,"Margo MacDonald","M",7,null,"margo-macdonald",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":89},[14,27,38,50,61,72,83],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},2053522,"Some people may get in to the building without the proper passes and things, but I think that's the price you pay for being an open place for people to come.",4,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22],{"id":23,"tag":24},5040184,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},1806,"open",{"id":28,"quote_text":29,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":30,"source":31,"quote_tag":32,"commentary":9},2053504,"Women are the sustaining force of any society - they think of the children and the next generation's chances.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[33],{"id":34,"tag":35},5040171,{"id":36,"tag_name":37},382,"children",{"id":39,"quote_text":40,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":41,"source":42,"quote_tag":43,"commentary":49},2053493,"I know that there are people who believe that if they get to the stage where life is absolutely intolerable because of pain and indignity... they would like to end their life before nature intended, and we think they should have the choice to do so.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[44],{"id":45,"tag":46},5040158,{"id":47,"tag_name":48},14812,"absolutely","**The Backstory**\n\nMargo MacDonald, a Scottish politician and activist, uttered these words during her own personal struggle with motor neurone disease (MND), a debilitating neurological condition that gradually erodes one's physical abilities. At the time, she was advocating for the right to assisted dying in Scotland, which would eventually become a major focus of her work. Her experience with MND gave her a unique perspective on the value and dignity of life.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nOn the surface, this quote appears to be a straightforward statement about giving individuals control over their own mortality. However, upon closer examination, it reveals a more profound paradox: Margo is not advocating for a right to escape suffering, but rather a right to live with dignity until one's natural death. She acknowledges that some people may find life intolerable due to pain and indignity, yet she argues that this does not justify ending one's life prematurely.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nIn our modern lives, we often prioritize productivity and perseverance over acknowledging the limits of human endurance. Margo's insight encourages us to reevaluate our stance on suffering: instead of trying to overcome every obstacle or push through excruciating pain, perhaps it's more courageous to acknowledge when life is no longer worth living as one knows it. This mindset allows us to approach difficult situations with a clearer sense of purpose and values, rather than blindly striving to stay in control.",{"id":51,"quote_text":52,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":53,"source":54,"quote_tag":55,"commentary":9},2053482,"You can have a very bad end with Parkinson's, but on the other hand, you can be like me, because I'm lucky. I'm not having a bad end.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[56],{"id":57,"tag":58},5040145,{"id":59,"tag_name":60},2891,"bad",{"id":62,"quote_text":63,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":64,"source":65,"quote_tag":66,"commentary":9},2053445,"When I am in the Scottish Parliament chamber, I often feel the need to sit for the entire debate. It's only courteous to listen to what everyone has to say, although I often find myself desperate to say something but too scared to stand up in case I regret it.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[67],{"id":68,"tag":69},5040109,{"id":70,"tag_name":71},3459,"although",{"id":73,"quote_text":74,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":75,"source":76,"quote_tag":77,"commentary":9},2053427,"I believe in the teachings of Christ. I think that's a good way to set your moral compass.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[78],{"id":79,"tag":80},5040091,{"id":81,"tag_name":82},2955,"believe",{"id":84,"quote_text":85,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":86,"source":87,"quote_tag":88,"commentary":9},2053416,"If you have to rely on yourself, you try harder, and when you try harder, you feel bigger.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"currentPage":90,"totalPages":90,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":91},1,10]