zaterdag 13 juni 2009

Why am I dark, daddy?

Keith and Catherine, a white couple who lives in Northern Ireland, received mixed race children after an IVF treatment. Keith, who has zero sperm caused by a testicular cyst, and Catherine, who had polycystic ovaries were candidates for IVF. They specifically asked for ‘White Caucasian’ donor sperm, but Catherine’s eggs were fertilized by ‘Caucasian Cape Coloured’ sperm which resulted in two coloured children. Susan has a slightly light skin but Michael has a darker skin. The hospital phoned after three years to inform the family that something had gone wrong. Because of the mental and social discomfort Keith and Catherine will sew the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. This will be the first legal case of its kind in Britain.

Reaction:
Again you rely on science and you end up being damaged. Keith and Catherine did not want their friends and family to know that they were having children by IVF. Their children do not know that they were conceived through IVF. Children are not stupid, so especially Michael keeps asking questions concerning his colour. As for Susan her skin is light. I do think that people will keep on making remarks so you cannot stop that. The hardest part is to explain it to the kids. I think they should do it before the trial starts. If not, the damage will be enormous.

P.S.: Read the article! My summary is way too short.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1192717/Why-I-dark-The-white-couple-who-had-mixed-race-children-after-IVF-blunder.html

Patient died after having buttock fat injected into her face

Rachel Soanes, 37 year old, died at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. Rachel who suffered from the condition lupus profondus, which left her with a usually thin face, died after cosmetic surgery when fat from her bottom was injected into a vein in her face. She had already done this procedure twice before, so she was familiar with this plumping treatment. The only difference was that the fat travelled into her lungs and resulted in embolism, or blockage in the arteries.
Pathologist Professor Lucas said that he had never seen such embolism in more than 30 years. Even though the staff did not assist immediately, nothing could save Rachel Soanes for it was a ‘phenomenally rare’ complication when the fat got into her lungs.

Reaction:
When you think you can rely on science it fails you. Miss Soane’s sister, asked the doctor why her sister was not told of the dangers of the procedure. The doctor told her: ‘It was not a known risk.’ This was not a woman who wanted to look prettier, a woman who was not satisfied with her appearance. No, this was utterly necessary. The other two times everything went perfect only the last time it really was her last time. It is a pity she had to come to her end in this way. My heart goes out to her sister and other family members.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1192774/Patient-buttock-fat-injected-face-died-travelled-lungs.html

woensdag 3 juni 2009

They can’t see the benefit in signing on

Recent figures show that the number of jobless in the UK is up to 2.2 million. Among these are a lot of middle and high–income earners who are professionals. These professionals do not want to sign in at Jobcentres because of several reasons. The first reason is that the jobs offered are at the lower end of the skills market. The second reason is that the Jobcentre staff cannot help the unemployed professionals in an adequate way, but still want all personal detailed information from them.
The only reason why some sign up is to qualify for the mortgage protection insurance. The professionals say that in a Jobcentre they should be guided by a specialist consultant. The Jobcentre comments that they have over 1200 vacancies in west London for professionals and say that the unemployed do get a lot of help.

Reaction:
Are there no Jobcentres especially for professionals? There are several Jobcentres for medical profession, office jobs, etc. Why not for professionals?
If you are unemployed would you not accept any job just to have food on the table or are you very picky to get the job you really want. The whole world is in an economic crisis. The jobs are not lined up waiting for you to make your choice.
Although the situation is far from pleasant unemployed professionals should get the proper guidance like everyone else. Not all jobcentres have recruitment specialist to provide their clients with the proper care.

www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/may/31/work-careers-redundancy-unemployment-benefits

Grieving couple ‘jumped off Beachy Head carrying their dead son’

Neil Puttick, 34, and his wife, Kazumi, 44 could not cope with the death of their son Samuel, who was 5 years old. Samuel had been suffering from pneumococcal meningitis. When there was no hope of him recovering he was released from hospital at his parent’s request. Later that evening, at 8 pm, he was declared dead at his home by a doctor. Neil and Kazumi placed the body of their dead son in a rucksack and jumped off Beachy Head ending both their lives.
The Eastbourne Coastguard discovered the bodies on their routine clifftop patrol.

Reaction:
A very sad, sad story. I had to read the story over and over again to try and comprehend what had happened. According to their neighbours, the Putticks gave 150% for their son. Samuel had suffered serious spinal injuries in an accident about three years ago. His parents still had hope that he would be healed. In the end there was no hope at all and he died. What a tragedy. Words cannot express the grieve both parents had. Obviously they could not cope with so much pain and decided to commit suicide. My heart goes out to their family, friends and loved ones.

www. guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jun/02/beachy-head-suicide-couple

dinsdag 26 mei 2009

Mother’s Day always makes me feel empty

These are the words which Prince William spoke, on 12 March 2009, during a charity meeting for families and volunteer workers in London as a preparation for Mother’s Day on March 22. Prince William has become the patron of the Child Bereavement Charity. An organization which helps youngsters to cope with the death of love ones.
For the first time, since the death of his mother, Princess Diana, Prince William spoke publicly about his pain. He admitted that he had tried to blank out his emotions in order to deal with the loss of his mother. Ever since her death the word Mummy was no longer lively present only in memories.

Reaction:
As I read this article I became aware of the fact that he had never expressed himself before as he did in this article. Everyone has his or her own way of dealing with grieve. Although I am not as famous as he is I can relate to the emptiness in his heart. My mother died when I was nine years old. I never had the urge to do something on Mother’s Day. I even became angry when I had to make a present for Mother’s Day at school, knowing I had no one to give it to. In the end you have to deal with it in order to continue with your life, as the deceased person would have wanted you to do. I think it is a noble cause of him to help others who go through the same hurt he had.

www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/royals/article2316398.ece

London’s O2 Arena shows postponed

UK fans are not amused by the fact that the London’s O2 Arena shows by King of the Pop, Michael Jackson, are cancelled. The reason why is still not clear. Either Michael Jackson has skin cancer and must have surgery or he needs more time to rehearse for the spectacular shows. The opening night will be on July 13 instead of July 8. Three other shows on 10, 12 and 14 July are now scheduled for March next year. Fans do not understand why such a caliber like Michael Jackson, who has an enormous staff with a lot of experience, could not prevent this from happening. Many fans are disappointed and are no longer interested in his concerts.

Reaction:
It is a pity that after all the setbacks he, Michael Jackson, has had in his life, this would have been a splendid come-back. Instead of making it a historic event, once again, he will be remembered for his failures. I think that the fans who suffer the most should be compensated in a generous way. I do not know what and how, but I do know that it will keep the fans satisfied instead of angry. It is not up to me, still I do hope this will be the last time that his concerts are being rescheduled.

www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article2440375.ece

woensdag 13 mei 2009

Change fast, before we all gag on the fabric of British life

According to Jeremy Clarkson, presenter of Top Gear, British are good at doing nothing. First of all he starts by making comparisons with cars like the Mini and the Land Rover. If Mini had not been bought by BMW the design of the car would still have been the same. As he says, ‘Gramophones in a flat screen world’.
Tony Blair announced in 1998 that the Royal Navy needed new aircraft carriers.
It took about ten years for the government to sign a contract for new aircraft carriers. In order to get something done changes are inevitable. Britain needs to dispose of certain institutes. For starters the British government (read Labour Party).

Reaction:
As a presenter of a car program it is clear that he starts off by making comparisons with cars. Jeremy has a simple way of drawing your attention. He, actually, makes a statement by saying, ‘Labour Party, go home’. The way he does it is fabulous. As he says, ‘Anything becomes the fabric of your life if it hangs around long enough”. According to Jeremy it is time for the Labour Party to say goodbye, and not be a part of the government, for they have done no good at all.
A lot has been said and promised during the campaigns, but nothing has been realized. I do like his proposal at the end of the article by nominating things from British life that should be put in the dustbin.

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/jeremy_clarkson/article6255739.ece