Miriam Margolyes is considering medical aid in dying as she continues to navigate a difficult health journey. The 84-year-old actress — known for playing herbology expert Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter movies — recently spoke to Weekend Magazine about her battle with multiple health conditions. She revealed that she’d be open to pursuing an assisted death if she loses her ability to live independently. “I don’t want to go through a slowly diminishing period of pain and embarrassment,” she explained. “If a stroke meant I couldn’t speak, or I was doubly incontinent, or I lost my mind completely, I would ask to be put down. That’s because I want to be who I am. I don’t want to be less than I can be.” Assisted dying is currently not legal in the United Kingdom, where Margolyes resides. However, in June, the British parliament voted in favor of a bill to legalize it for terminally ill people. The “Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life)” Bill gives terminally ill patients 18 and older in England and Wales, who are mentally competent and have six months or less left to live, the right to end their lives with medical assistance. Medical aid in dying (MAID) is different from euthanasia because the patients themselves administer prescribed drugs to end their lives, rather than a doctor. Patients, after qualifying, must first be approved by doctors and a panel including a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist. The bill is currently under review by Britain's upper chamber, the House of Lords. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Margolyes has long been vocal about her health struggles over the years, including her battle with spinal stenosis and osteoporosis. Last year, the actress said that she has reduced mobility due to the conditions. “I can’t walk very well, and I’m registered disabled,” she told Closer Magazine in July 2024. “I use all kinds of assistance. I’ve got two sticks and a walker and they’re such a bore, but I’ve just got a mobility scooter, which is a lot of fun.” Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Margolyes has often shared how her lifestyle choices like diet and exercise have impacted her health, admitting that they have contributed to her deteriorating spinal condition. "I've limited my life because of my longing for fudge or chopped liver, cheesecake,” she told British Vogue. “All these absurdities. I shouldn't have been so greedy. I should have been stronger.” "I've let my body down,” she also told Weekend Magazine. "I haven’t taken care of it. I have to walk with a walker now. I wish I’d done exercise. It’s the most ghastly waste of time, except that it keeps you going. So, I’m foolish.”