Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Rachael

Rachael was born without a bladder, with a malfunctioning kidney. Doctors created a bladder from part of her bowel. When she was six she was taught to self-catheterise. Despite this she was partially incontinent so when she was 10 she had a Mitrofanoff.

  • Background

    Before Rachael retired due to ill health she worked as an administrator for an insurance company. She is married. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 31
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Carol

    In 2003 Carol was diagnosed with endometriosis. This had invaded her bladder and her bowel. She has had several operations after which she has had a urethral catheter, once for four months, due to a perforated bladder. Sometimes she has to self catheterise due to loss of bladder sensation.

  • Background

    Carol was a chartered accountant before she retired due to ill health. She is single. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 39
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Alok

    Alok had a car accident in 2007, aged 32. A serious spinal injury left him tetraplegic and confined to bed. He has a suprapubic catheter and lives in residential care. He voluntarily helps people with their computer problems via his website.

  • Background

    Alok is married and lives in a residential care home. He has a daughter. Ethnic background / nationality: Indian.

  • Age at interview 37
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Dave

    In 2005 Dave had a severe spinal cord injury. He was aged 25. He had a urethral catheter for about three months. This was then changed to a suprapubic catheter, which Dave finds quite easy to manage. He changes it himself at home with the help of a carer.

  • Background

    Dave is a financial consultant. He is married. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 31
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Ian

    In 1988, when he was 16, Ian broke his neck whilst playing rugby and became paralysed. He had a suprapubic catheter for 5 or 6 years and then a urethral catheter. Later, he was fitted with suprapubic catheter again, which he has had for over 10 years.

  • Background

    Ian is married. He lives with his wife and full-time live-in carer. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 39
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Iain

    Iain was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1994 at the age of 18. He used intermittent catheterisation for about 5 years and was then fitted with a urethral catheter, which he had for about 8 months. He has used a suprapubic catheter since 2009.

  • Background

    Iain is a married IT Officer. He works for the local council. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 35
  • Sex/Gender Male