On The Today Show Gavin Grace discussed a news story about how – in the UK – patients could be kept alive solely so they can become organ donors, hearts could be retrieved from newborn babies for the first time, and body parts could be taken from high-risk donors as part of an urgent medical and ethical revolution to ease Britain’s chronic shortage of organs. Mark Murphy, CEO of the Irish Kidney Association joined the show to talk about the implications if such a scenario existed in Ireland. Marie O’Connor from Lahinch also spoke to Gavin about her personal experience. Marie is a Transplant Recipient; she received a kidney in 1996 and another in 1998 after waiting 3 and a half years on a waiting list and undergoing dialysis. Both Mark and Marie highlighted how vital it is for people to carry an organ donor card. For more information please visit www.ika.ie
Dr Máire Finn of the Ennis Family Medical Centre joined The Today Show for her weekly medical feature – this week Máire focussed on pregnancy issues and advice for expectant mothers
Anna Kelly, a Community Resource Officer with Brainwave (the Irish Epilepsy Association) is based in Limerick. She discussed the stigma that still exists for people who have epilepsy. Brainwave has announced results of a survey conducted amongst 455 people with epilepsy on their experience. The key results showed that;
- Just over 51% of those with epilepsy have experienced stigma as a result of their condition.
- 56% of people with epilepsy who are in employment do not feel comfortable telling their employer and work colleagues that they have epilepsy even though 70% feel comfortable telling their friends and family members.
- 50% of people with epilepsy found that their employers and work colleagues attitudes towards them changed after they told them of their epilepsy.
- Over 50% of people with epilepsy find it offensive to be referred to as “an epileptic”.
Shabnam Vasisht is the Administrator and PR Officer with Irish MENSA. She spoke to Gavin about the IQ test and what’s in store for people should they find themselves in the top 2% of intelligence in the nation. A Mensa supervised IQ test session has been organised on Saturday 18 February (2.00pm) at the Best Western Perys Hotel. Gavin and a listener will take the test on Saturday so stay tuned to find out how they get on!
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