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Rescued by a medical miracle
Advances in the field of medical science can often leave us worried that techniques are moving too far, too fast.
Yet the story of Paul Gibbs is a timely reminder of the life-changing benefits that the march of progress can bring.
The 26-year-old goth suffered appalling injuries when he was set upon by a gang of thugs simply because of the way he looked.
He plunged into a coma after he was punched, kicked, hit across the head with a motorcycle helmet and had his left ear severed.
When he woke he had to learn to walk again and it is still not known whether the brain injuries he suffered will affect him for the rest of his life.
However, Paul has shown he is made of strong stuff by leaving hospital two months earlier than doctors expected.
He will have also taken some comfort in the knowledge that his attackers have been locked up.
Now specialists plan to reconstruct an ear using cartilage from Paul's ribs which they will then attempt to re-attach.
There is still some way to go, but Paul has already displayed considerable bravery in his fightback from this savage and thoroughly mindless assault. And it is heartening to see that in this instance the wonders of medical science are able to give him a helping hand in the long and painful road to recovery.
Where were safeguards?
THE internet is a wonderful resource that has revolutionised the way our children learn.
Yet many parents rightly worry about some of the material youngsters might access when they go online, particularly given children's innate sense of curiosity.
That is why schools have installed the Leeds Learning Network, a system run by the city council to provide safe access to the information superhighway.
However, this safety net apparently failed to function when a nine-year-old pupil at Chapel Allerton Primary school typed the word 'sex' into a search engine.
She was directed towards an online retail site and, when she clicked on a suggested link, images of half-dressed women in sexual positions appeared on her computer screen.
The incident, which has understandably alarmed the girl's mother, raises questions about the effectiveness of a filtering system used by more than 120,000 pupils, school staff and education workers across the city.
The team behind the Leeds Learning Network is now working with the school to make sure that the filters in place are sufficient for their needs.
However, perhaps a full check of all schools using the system would be advisable to ensure other pupils do not similarly slip through the net.
The internet offers youngsters the chance to feed their imaginations and embark on exciting voyages of discovery – but it is vital that sufficient safeguards are in place to protect them along the way.
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Weather for Leeds
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
