Surrender? No chance!

Greetings, fellow mutants! Have you noticed the reports in the press about the right-to-die plans contained within the Joffe Bill going through Parliament, and the court case centred on the baby Charlotte Wyatt - which arrived at a partial victory for her family just this morning? After initially reading about both these ongoing stories, I groaned. After initially reading about both these ongoing stories, I groaned: "Oh no! Here we go again!"

Two questions. If Charlotte is improving, why didn't the court rescind the resuscitation ban earlier? And as for the Joffe Bill, its advocates say that it's to ease our pain and suffering, but I wonder whose - theirs or ours? There is no reason for people to suffer from debilitating symptoms and pain - both physical and psychological - from any condition. There are many ways that all pain can be controlled by conventional and alternative means: I wonder why we're not told about them?

So, what to do? Well, how about this? (Feel free to argue.) First, get a positive attitude (and a sense of humour!) about your condition. Second, be proactive: get informed about your condition and the treatments available - worldwide if needs be! Third, surround yourself with positive and supportive people to be there for you in both good and bad times. And finally, get bloody-minded with all who are negative.

Here on Ouch, both Laurence Clark and columnist Adam Hills have written on this subject in the past, and I'm with them 100%. As I wrote in my Test Mad blog entry a few days ago, we need to change the language dealing with illness and disability from negative to positive. The world at large appears to have lost its compassion and needs a reminder that we're not second class citizens. Our voice needs to be heard! I know that it's an uphill struggle - the same one all fellow mutants face each and every day. Just remember that it's a half-full glass, and that where there's life, there's hope.