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Sunday 29/10/06 This following quote has nothing to do with stem cells, but I just found it, and thought it was incredibly profound; "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely with a pretty, well-preserved body. The goal is to skid in broadside, tires smoking, body all dented, leaking fluids, gas gauge on empty, thoroughly used up and worn out, proclaiming, 'Holy shit, what a ride!'" 'Klassikar 2005' I have been emailed a website about stem cells and FA. I recently saw Michael J Fox on t.v appealing for u.s support for stem cell research. It was very moving and powerful to see this once very able person, now fighting with all the energy he can muster, against his own body. As far as I am concerned, there are many things in life over which you have no control, but the one thing you should have complete control over is your own body. While I do not feel that stem cells at the moment are the way to go for me with classic FA, I feel the potential positive benefits are limitless. At the moment, to me, they are still too experimental and strongly smack of monied desperation. I could not justify going to china for numerous injections, to delay what may very well be, an unwelcome inevitability. If there was a greater degree of certainty, it might entice me more. If I could somehow be guaranteed that straight after an infusion of stem cells I'd be running around, then I might consider it. I sure am tired of being a regular visitor to the floor, and dependancy on others is a total bitch, but knowing my luck i'd scrimp and save to get to china, only to be in a car crash on my return journey. Are stem cells going to solve all problems? No,but I sure would'nt say no to moving up a rung, on the health stepladder! There are plenty of things to fight in life, apart from your own body. What annoys me most and the principal opponent to stem cells, is the whole religious argument which argues that we should suffer, suffer and we'll all be wonderfully healthy specimens in the next life. Thankfully that viewpoint, (which is incredibly condescending) has less and less subscribers. There can be no reconciliation between these two viewpoints, they are two opposing, and totally different approaches and attitudes towards life. I read an interview recently, where the comedian Graham Norton was asked whether he believed in heaven and hell. He said "yes, but in this life", and I entirely agree. This
is the only life we can be sure of, and there is no encore, so anything
that can lighten your load or make life more bearable, I'm all for.
Even if stem cells were guaranteed to work, there will always be
bad and difficult times, so I guess the point I am trying to make,
is to get your mind in check first. Will you be a more humane, considerate
and humble person, or just another prick who can race ahead, and
let the door slam in someone else' face? Stem cells are the way
to go, but just make sure you get them for the right reasons!
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