General Chat

I have always had tremendous admiration and respect for Alison Lapper. She is so strong and confidant but I did have my doubts about her having a child, more so when she had her naked sculpture displayed in Trafalgar Square whilst pregnant.

It always seemed to be a lot to ask of a little boy to know he was a part of that sculpture and to have to grow up with a mother who was not only very noticeable, even though she has totally embraced her disabilities, but, also, quite high profile. Sadly, other children can be utterly vile!

Robert Winstone, who, to my mind, often thinks a lot more of the job than of those involved in it, also shone the spotlight on him. Because she is so wise and ballsy I kind of assumed that Alison Lapper knew better than me and had made a good job of raising a strong and happy son.

So, so sadly, I was right and Parys had taken to drugs and overdosed in a rehab hostel. His life had been too hard for him.

Because she is so ballsy, I kind of assumed t

The same is true of many children sadly whether they are in the public eye or not. I see here many lads about the same age as he was, under the bridge, exchanging drugs, or in the local paper for one thing or another, maybe some of them have great parents and it's just gone wrong somewhere along the line.

I am extremely thankful this doesn't apply to my son.

I agree though kids can be utterly vile where there is any 'difference'. There's a lot of pressure online now also imo.

I am so very thankful that my daughter was born so long ago ............. all we had to worry about was drinking and possibly smoking marijuana. She didn't drink while at high school even though several of her friends did, and hated all kinds of smoking.

She did do her share of drinking after she left school and at university, but seemed to realise it didn't do too much for her, and never smoked or tried any drugs.

I feel so so sorry for parents today.