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The question

How close have you come to dying?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A recurring Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

MB
Munroe Bergdorf
Recorded said elsewhere, not written here
Before transitioning, I had a severe eating disorder. The doctor said, “Your body’s shutting down and if you don’t improve your mental and physical wellbeing, you’ll die.” Shortly after that, I started transitioning medically and my eating disorder resolved.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 July 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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Esther Freud
My parents died within four days of each other. I was engulfed as I ran from one bedside to another.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2026 source ↗
Nuala McGovern
I lived in New York during 9/11 and worked a couple of blocks away from the twin towers. I was looking when the first tower exploded and then when the second plane flew in and, before we had to evacuate, I did see people jump to their death.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 November 2025 source ↗
Rebecca Lucy Taylor
I had some gynaecological issues that were very sudden, about 18 months ago, and felt that I might be dying. I wasn’t but it was quite serious.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 November 2025 source ↗

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