h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I just wanted to say I found your article very interesting, I am a Type 1 Diabetic, I wrote a little bit on Diabetes, though it is nothing like as good as yours, Please more of the same !!!

I agree. It's nice to see that through all the fun and nonsense there is still a space for important issues to be raised. Metabolic disorders can be very distressing and we should be there ready to offer our support in the event of anyone we know suffering from any one of these medical conditions. Many people who find themselves in such a situation do not want our sympathy but some patience and understanding. We should not be afraid to ask questions as this will help us gain such understanding.

I couldn't agree more, Have you read my page on Diabetes ? Those of us with such diseases / conditions want only to lead " normal " lives, Just knowing people understand our difficulties is enough, We do not need sympathy ! But then it is our responsibility to educate people to the realities of such things rather than the myths !!!

No Ihaven't read it but I will. I myself don't have any metabolic disorder but I do have asthma and I find this is dismissed by people like it isn't really a problem. I know this attitude also applies to people with diabetes.
I have been fortunate to know two people with diabetes. Both highlight some of the problems faced by people with the condition. One had been told he had diabetes as a teenage. As you can appreciate, it was difficult for him to accept and understand what this meant. In an act of rebellion he did not stick to his diet. Within a few years he was blind.

The other was someone I only met briefly through a friend. He was staying in halls of residence at uni. The cleaner came in and saw him lying on the floor and assumed he was being a typical, drunk student. In fact he was in a coma, brought on as a result of his diabetes. By that evening he had died.

This saddened and angered me. People need to be made aware of the real consequences of conditions such as diabetes, and asthma, epilepsy and countless others. Just because there are no outward signs it does not mean that there isn't a serious, life altering condition.

The occurence of asthma is growing a rapid rate, especially in children, All allergig reactions seem also to be increasing , This is too the point that people dismiss them as everyday / irellivent problems, this also leads to those that have these problems also not treating it seriously , Like diabetes , the resulting complications seem far away , It can't happen to me attitude , This lead to the death of my mother in law ?

Though I think it is wrong to consider those of us with such conditions as disabled , I think public awareness and good suuport / education for sufferers is essential !

I will not die from Diabetes , Epilepsy , Asthma or a Stroke ( all of which I have had ) If I can possibly prevent it, This is because I will keep up to date , and will do all I can to live ( I have a Family ) ! The Net is wonderful for keeping up on the latest treetment etc,

To all reading this , Always have hope ! My wife and I have had 4 potentially fatal problems between us in the last 5 years , We live life to the full

Well said. These conditions are should not be veiwed as life sentances. However you should use them to reflect on your life and make changes that allow you to live life as fully as possible.

Thank you for your kind comments. My daughter was born with a serious rare condition, fortunately she is 'nearly' normal - although she will have to take steriods all her life to stay alive. Small price to pay! Because I have a child with a problem I naturally met many other families in a similar position. I now work within St Georges Hospital Medical School working on an asthma project, I have also written a piece on that. I work here because if she is ill in the childrens ward I can drag my work over there, I also get a car parking permit!!

Yes I have read your article. Well done. Once you start talking to people you realise that lots of us have problems. We just don't say.

I am lucky, despite several problems I still lead a fairly " Normal " life, I am sorry your daughter has a serious problem , I hope she too will eventually get a chance to live life too the full , I will pray for her !

She is okay - she has problems but she can still have nice life. Lots of these kids don't make it, so I am happy to have her in whatever shape or form. I wish you the best possible health in the future, keep in touch!!

Hi,
I would like to keep in touch , And look forward to your future articles , I am preparing another page , explaining how my wife and I
became Diabetics , I had actually done this but lost the data in a recent thunderstorm, that will teach me to save regularly !!! Keep us all up on how your Daughter is , My 9 year old son is a " Gifted "
child and that in its self can present a challenge !

I have boy and girl. Alex is clever clogs aged 11 and Mollie is Mollie the lovely! Good luck with your son have you been in touch with the society for gifted children? They gave a talk at my son's school and had a lot of constructive stuff to say. Tony Buzan whose mind mapping concepts I adore has also written a book about the developing the minds of children which is really interesting. I will look out for your articles.

I think having children is the best thing that ever happened to me. I have been fortunate to have a healthy boy, Callum, who will be one this week. Having an unseen condition myself, I can feel great empathy with anyone who has to see their child seriously ill. However, I don't know any parent who would rather not have had the joy a child can bring.

As a teenager I worked at a playscheme run by MENCAP. Some of these children had quite severe problems but the brought so much joy and love to their parents.

As I said, I've been lucky with Callum. But I would do anything I could to prevent him suffering as I have. I am getting very excited about his birthday as it is such an acheivement for any child to get to 1.

So you have Callum who is one year old nearly and older 9 year old son? Children are fantastic love them to bits, they bring such fun into the world - I agree with you!

Just the one son for me. The 9 year old belongs to researcher 25958. It can get a bit confusing round here!

My boy wasn't planned and came at an awkward time (born just 6 days after the last of my degree exams) but I wouldn't be without him. The joy of seeing him smile for the first time and watching his enthusiasm for life and learning new things is fantastic. It's been hard work but it's all been worth it.

Sorry - got mixed up!. You wonder what you ever did with your time before you had them! First born children are extra special, it's all so new.

Sorry - got mixed up!. You wonder what you ever did with your time before you had them! First born children are extra special, it's all so new.

I was lucky that my sister had had children before me so at least I was as scared of Callum when he was newly born. Not like his dad who even today holds him as if he's about to break!

As for time, there just isn't enough of it. As we don't have other children I've made a point of taking Callum to places where he can enjoy just being around other children This has done him the world of good. We moved to Loughborough just before he was born so I didn't know anyone and he's been such an ice breaker. I really can't see how anyone with kids can REALLY resent having no spare time.

We're lucky as both parents are around. It means we can both get a little time to ourselves every now and then.

My partner finds it funny that I'm more excited about his first birthday than I was about him being born! This week will be full of cake, jelly and ice cream!

Parties - great fun - then you are on to christmas with children (presuming you are of a religion that celebrates, if not you probably have your own big occasions!) Which is equally fantasic fun. The only thing I miss not being able to do is read so much. I have to make great efforts to read a book and read much less now. Otherwise happy to do everything with them.

It's funny but reading is what I miss most too. It was easier when I was breast feeding as I'd just read whatever I was reading out loud. But now it takes me ages to finish a book. However, I am enjoying reading all the old favourites to Callum. His favourite at the moment is Puss In Boots because he loves cats (although our neighbours cat is not too fond of him!).