Remember Thalidomide?

For most of us, it is long ago, but for the ones who were born deformed by this drug, it is something they live with every day of their lives.

Gary Skyner is one of these people.  His autobiography, published recently,  is very much worth a read.

Here is what is said on one of the the selling sites, The Book Depository.

Gary Skyner's autobiography, You Can't, You Won't: A Life of Unarmed Combat, provides an honest, detailed account of his life as a thalidomide child. Gary was born severely disabled in 1959 after his mother was prescribed the thalidomide drug during pregnancy. Originally devised in 1957 by a German pharmaceutical company as a free sedative designed to combat morning sickness, thalidomide was first licensed in the UKâ in 1958. However, it became apparent that there was a surge in rare birth defects after pregnant women had been prescribed the drug. As one of the earliest in the UK to be born damaged by the deadly drug, Gary's life was destined to be difficult and challenging as it impaired his physical development. Expected not to live, let alone to achieve much, Gary is living proof that there is nothing you cannot achieve if you believe you can. Born with foreshortened arms in the Toxteth area of 1950's Liverpool, Gary explores how his parents' marital breakdown and his difficult relationship with his father were all caused, in Gary's eyes, by the strains of raising a disabled child. In addition to his troubles at home, Gary's tears turned to anger as he became aware of the government's reluctance to make provision for thalidomide victims, leading him to become active in campaigns in order to shame them into proper negotiation. You Can't, You Won't also explores how Gary's dreams came crashing down on him due to his limitations as a thalidomide child. As a lifelong Liverpool FC supporter, he always wanted to be a star player, but he soon realised he had to accept his limitations. Working first as a telephone operator, Gary later became a welder, a housing officer and a trained paralegal. Despite his difficult life, You Can't, You Won't also explores the happier times, including having two daughters and his comic and motivational speaker career. There has never been a dull moment and this autobiography explores his belief that life should be spiced with jokes and laughter. Written with conviction and humour, You Can't, You Won't is a story of courage and triumph that will appeal to those who enjoy memoirs, but also to those interested in the background of thalidomide births.


My review:

This is not a personal story and not a political story, but a combination of both because sometimes, the personal is political.  In the case of Gary Skyner, the politics started before he was born, when a greedy drug company released a drug before it was adequately tested. Gary's fight was for himself, to live a normal life in spite of the damage done by Thalidomide, but also for fair treatment from the company that caused the damage, and even with the Trust that was in charge of the money grudgingly released to the victims of Thalidomide.

It is not likely that Gary will ever be satisfied that the company has made sufficient recompense.  The damage was too great, the victims too many - not only the ones maimed as he was maimed, but those babies who died before or soon after they were born. And there are others, probably many others, whose symptoms were more subtle, and who will never know that their health problems were caused by the drug.

Gary's story is one of struggle. He had to overcome his handicap, but there are also those normal life problems we all have to navigate. He has achieved a great deal in his life, and that is why he became successful as a motivational speaker.  He is also successful in what has to be about the most difficult job in the world - that of a stand up comedian.

Plus he is an author. This is a good book. I recommend it.

Gary is shown here with a pile of his books. 

You can acquire a copy from Amazon or from The Book Depository, and probably from most other online booksellers.


https://www.bookdepository.com/You-Cant-You-Wont-Gary-Skyner-Carol-Fenlon/9781785898631?ref=grid-view&qid=1512776057397&sr=1-1





Gary's book is a reminder - that one should never, ever, take chances by prescribing drugs to pregnant women.  I am concerned that this warning is being forgotten by the medical fraternity.  For instance,  pregnant women are advised to be vaccinated against Pertussis, usually with the combined vaccine, 'Boostrix.' (Pertussis, Diptheria, Tetanus.)  I am a perfectly healthy and non pregnant woman,  not one who is prone to allergic reactions, but I was bedridden for two days after having that vaccination, and felt the effects for months.  I assume that it is not given in early pregnancy, (I hope not)  but all the same, I question whether it should be given to pregnant women at all.  They are also often advised to have the flu vaccine - a vaccine that is changed every year, and therefore cannot possibly  be adequately tested. 

Now Gary has managed to achieve a great deal in his life.  But I am quite sure he would be the first to say, to YELL!  that one should NOT take any chances with pregnant women. I would hope we never see another such tragedy as those Thalidomide babies, now grown men and women.