Blog 14 - It's a boy! Couple reveal sex of their 'gender neutral' kid after five years

Source

Battle, B. (2011, Jan. 20). The Sun. Retrieved from http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4075523/Its-a-boy-Couple-reveal-sex-of-their-gender-neutral-kid-after-five-years.html.

 Is it a boy or a girl?

Summary

A British couple from Sawston, Cambridgeshire, concealed their child’s gender for five years. Even family and close friends did not know what it was. No little cars or baby dolls, but gender-natural toys were the only things Sacha could play with. Sasha’s parents have explained to the media that they hoped that “its real personality would shine through”. They wanted to avoid stereotypes and let the child decide whether it wanted to be a boy or a girl. However, after the child started to go to primary school it became harder to conceal its gender. Finally they revealed: it’s a boy!

Reaction

First of all, I cannot believe that Sasha’s parents are convinced that gender pushes people into specific boxes. They should know that everyone in the UK has the opportunity to become whatever he or she wants. People can develop themselves without any restrictions. It does not matter if you are a boy or a girl. Another thing is that I do not believe that personality is shape by clothes or toys. It is formed by someone’s experiences. People have a life-time to find out who they are and what they stand for. This knowledge makes people unique and it gives them their own personality.

Blog 13 - Abstaining from alcohol for two days is a sign of not having a drink problem, says adviser

Source

Bowater, D. (2012, Jan. 9). The Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9001868/Abstaining-from-alcohol-for-two-days-is-a-sign-of-not-having-a-drink-problem-says-adviser.html

 No more beer in the weekend?

Summary

There is a lot of confusion about the government’s guidelines on alcohol. The confusion is even so big that people believe that having a few pints of beer every day will not cause any harm. According to Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of The Alcohol Health Alliance, there are 1.5 million drinkers in the UK who drink every day. To warn and advice people about alcohol, he and a couple MPs suggest that people should have two ‘dry’ days a week. It would be a very good indicator to find out if someone is addicted to alcohol or not. They presume that the government should review its guidelines to face the British alcohol problem.

Reaction

A lot of people are addicted in some way. Not only alcohol or drugs, but also food, games, work, etcetera, can become someone’s addiction. In this current situation I believe that the major problem is not the addiction itself, but that people have no idea how they can handle it. The government should not introduce ‘dry’ days to face the British alcohol problem, but it should introduce better advice and information programmes. Also professional facilities should be more accessible for the addicts. When alcoholics want a drink, they always find a way to get one. What they really need is professional help.

Blog 12 - Stranger donated kidney after meeting at a party

Source

Smith, R. (2011, Dec. 29). The Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8980591/Stranger-donated-kidney-after-meeting-at-a-party.html.

Left: More than 6,500 people in the UK are waiting for a donor kidney.

Right: Manoly Viravong and Veronica Buttigieg.

Summary

Thousands of people in the UK are waiting for a heart, liver or kidney that could save their lives. Manoly Viravong was one of them. Short after she had given birth to her first child, doctors diagnosed her with chronic kidney disease. Her physical condition was so severe that she was put on the transplant list. However, there was no suitable donor until she met Veronica Buttigieg at a party. Minutes after meeting each other Veronica decided to donate her kidney. In July the procedure took place and with success. After two years Melony no longer needs dialysis. She is now even able to fly to Laos to visit her family.

Reaction

It is amazing that there are still people like Victoria. I do not believe I will ever have the courage for what she did. Of course I will give a kidney to a family member, but I do not know if I will do the same for a completely stranger. Maybe I need to know the person before I donate one of my organs. Our society should really be grateful for all the others who do not hesitate to become a donor. Because of all these people many lives are saved or can be saved in the future.