Coincidence is amazing

I remember when Sarah and Gordon brown's baby was born, how pleased they were. I am so glad that they were able to do something so worthwhile as a legacy to her.

Goodness, is that really 15 years' ago?

I remember the uneasy happiness on Gordon Brown's face as he entered the hospital to see his prematurely-born daughter,and the pain etched on his face when she died.

I also remember those two lovely boys that came into Downing Street when he resigned - how wise he was to have previously kept them out of public view, when he could have used them to political advantage and showed how 'human' he was.

coincidence is such a strange thing. The Browns must be so pleased to see that something wonderful has been helped to happen because of their action.

These parents have suffered . A few months after their youngest child was born someone leaked to the Sun that Frazer had cystic fibrosis , the Browns were devasted but had to make a public announcement . They also fund a charity for research into this illness

I had forgotten about the cystic fibrosis with the little chap. That is such a horrible thing - I once had a little girl in my class with it - the child was wonderful - bubbly and full of life - it was her poor mother who always looked so worried and ill. I have often wondered about this little girl and how life treated her.

I think life expectancy is sbout thirty but perhaps organ donations are used, I don't know

I think the survival is better than that now annie - I am a carrier and so are many other members of my side of the family. We have been very lucky that no-one married another carrier and our children and DGC are fine; although one tested positive initially, due to his carrier status - that was a worrying time.

Yes. Annie and it is more than thirty years now since I knew her - why I often think of her - I had seen they can do transplants and the life expectancy has increased. - I always hope she was a lucky one.

That is good to learn, thank you

Its certainly a wonderful coincidence. The poor Browns I well remember being so happy for them when little Jennifer Jane was born and so sad for them when she died. So lovely that something good has come of it. I always liked the Brown family.

Such a good thing to have come out of a tragedy, can't believe it was 15 years ago. I always thought they were a family with dignity even when such an awful thing happened to them.

I winder how many babies have survived thanks to the work investigating the causes of prem births by Jennifer's charity

That is such a happy coincidence which came out of tragedy.

I hope that a cure will be found for cystic fibrosis before too long; I have known two people who had this and died, one of them had a heart lung transplant and lived until her 40s, she was brave and stoical.

At the time I admired Gordon and Sarah Brown for their dignity when their baby daughter died. It was a terrible thing for them and to have it splashed across newspapers was even worse. I admire Sarah Brown even more for setting up this charity which will help to save lots of babies like her daughter.
I too am a carrier of the cystic fibrosis gene and only found out at the age of sixty, when my DIL couldn't conceive. The gene had caused infertility in my DS. It explained all his previous health issues, my own and those of my other son. Most people think there is no problem, as long as only one parent is a carrier.
I taught a wee boy who died at the age of 12 from cystic fibrosis, it is a terrible condition. He had no quality of life and just wanted to be like his classmates.

I remember at the time how sad it was, it must be a small comfort to them that as well as helping many unknown families they have also been able to help close friends.

That's a really good story. Wouldn't it be lovely for John Smith to still be here to know this. I have Cystic Fibrosis and I'll be sixty in a few months. I was mis diagnosed as a baby in the fifties as having a catarrhal chest. It wasn't until after I had two pregnancies where I had pluersy and breathing difficulties that they tested me for CF. I had gone through over 20 yrs of being unwell, attending chest clinics etc. After being diagnosed I was transferred at my request to a CF unit and I have since then had the best of care possible. I had to give up work about eight years ago as I was constantly ill. If anyone around has a sore throat I end up in hospital on antibiotics. I am keeping lots better these days amazingly since I took up exercise which helps to keep my airways clear.
There is so much hope now for children with CF although it still is a very distressing illness. My children are carriers but thankfully have not married carriers and my grandchildren do not have the disease. Sorry I do hope I've not bored everyone.

It's so good to hear heartening news like this to remind us that there are a lot of good things happening in the world still, in spite of the bad news which greets us each morning.

Annemac I loved reading your story. Well done for coping with all those years of feeling unwell and I hope you enjoy your new found health for many more years to come.

It is a lovely coincidence that Sarah and Gordon Brown know that their charity has helped their friend's little one, although very sad that John Smith died too young.

I remember this happening - and the anger that the Evening Standard had a full size photo on the front page of Gordon Brown at his daughter's funeral - disgusting long range lens intrusion. It's so good that they have been able to make something positive out of what is the worst of tragedies, to lose a child.

Rosina I didn't know that. That's appalling. What desperately inappropriate intrusion.

The browns were very open and did it all with dignity it's amazing the charity helped John smiths who I thought would have made a good pm he died too young . Annmac you have done well but I would imagine you have had difficult times as well .

Annamac I am so sorry you have this illness but your post will give hope to anyone who fears for a fsmily member or friend with the same illness

annemac your story is very inspiring.

The lady we knew who died years after her heart/lung transplant did not die from that, she had something unrelated. She celebrated the 25th anniversary of her transplant the year before she died.