Profiles

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



Frances

Frances started having problems with her health at the age of 35 when she was pregnant with her daughter. She was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. About 5 years later, around 1986, when she was aged 40, she was fitted with a suprapubic catheter.

  • Background

    Frances is married and has an adult daughter. She is a retired hairdresser. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 64
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • John Y

    John has spastic tetraparesis of unknown origin. Just over a year ago he developed urinary problems. He had a urethral catheter for a few days and then decided to have a suprapubic catheter, which he likes. He has had very few problems with this catheter.

  • Background

    John is a retired medical practitioner. He is married and has three children. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 77
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Stuart

    Stuart broke his neck in 1997, aged 47, when he fell into a river whilst on a fishing trip. He became tetraplegic. He worked with an organisation that designed a leg bag emptying device powered by his wheelchair. He has a suprapubic catheter.

  • Background

    Stuart is retired. He is separated and has 3 adult children. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 61
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Roger

    In 2007 Roger broke his neck in a trishaw accident in India. He had a urethral catheter for a while. Then his doctor insisted that this should be replaced with a suprapubic catheter. He is often given conflicting advice about his catheter. Catheter changes can be difficult.

  • Background

    Roger was a university lecturer before he retired. He is married. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 66
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Peter Y

    In 1969, Peter had a car accident and broke his neck. He became paralysed and lost use of his limbs and torso (tetraplegia). After using a condom catheter for over 30 years, he was fitted with a urethral catheter. Peter lives with a full-time carer.

  • Background

    Peter manages the 21st Century Catheter Project website and is single. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 65
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Hayley

    Hayley was born with spinal muscular atrophy. Seven years ago she decided to have a suprapubic catheter so that she could drink more, travel more easily and have a better quality of life. She is glad that she made the decision to have a catheter.

  • Background

    Hayley was a counsellor but has retired due to ill health. She is single and lives with the support of PAs (self-managed care) and various animals. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 46
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Melanie

    Melanie broke her neck and back after falling from a horse in 2010. She had a urethral catheter for a few months and then tried intermittent self catheterisation. She found the latter was impossible without help so decided to have a suprapubic catheter.

  • Background

    Melanie is a journalist. She is married and has one child. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 55
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Richard

    Richard had an accident in 2007 when he was cycling home from work and ran into the back of a parked van. He was 55 at the time. He had a urethral catheter for about 6 months and then a suprapubic catheter.

  • Background

    Richard is married and lives with his wife. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 59
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Alex

    Alex has multiple sclerosis (MS), which has caused urinary incontinence. She has a suprapubic catheter, which she says is liberating and has improved her life. She prevents infections by drinking a great deal of water and having a daily low dose of antibiotics.

  • Background

    Alex is a disability consultant. She is married. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 51
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Michelle

    In 1982, when Michelle was 16, she went into hospital for surgery to her jaw and woke up paralysed with a spinal cord injury (C6). She had a urethral catheter for 15 years and then decided to have a suprapubic catheter, which she finds quite easy to manage.

  • Background

    Michelle is a solicitor and Chair of a Social Enterprise company. She is single. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 45
  • Sex/Gender Female