Current location:sport >>
LIZ JONES: Kate's strength has made me ashamed. And there's one self
sport6People have gathered around
IntroductionAfter Kate's bombshell announcement that she is being treated for cancer I read numerous news report ...
After Kate's bombshell announcement that she is being treated for cancer I read numerous news reports applauding the 373 per cent surge in internet searches for the word 'cancer'. Incredible, and doubtless this will save lives.
Kate's candour not only encouraged others to seek advice but managed to sweep away any vestige of shame about having the disease. I doubt a single action by a member of the Royal family has ever had such an impact, certainly not since Princess Diana held the hands of Aids sufferers and talked about her struggles with bulimia and her mental health.
But I think Kate's composure will have a more far-reaching effect that will change millions of mind-sets as well.
The Princess of Wales in her video message. 'I was most touched that, on a day when she must have been trembling with nerves and doubtless tired, she had made such an effort with her appearance,' Liz Jones writes
As I watched Kate's video message I was clutching a cushion, strangling sobs that made my throat hurt. And I finally saw the woman behind the immaculate outfits, the composure, the smile. I was most touched that, on a day when she must have been trembling with nerves and doubtless tired, she had made such an effort with her appearance – she had even had her hair done for us. She had got dressed: simply, in jeans and Breton top, but still immaculate. She sat up straight.
Most importantly, she managed a smile. Her concern seemed to be for us, and for her family. She only stumbled on her words once, and that made her seem more human. Her composure reminded me of the late Queen, who could so easily have wailed at the loss of her freedom when she ascended to the throne aged just 25. They both put us first. I'm reminded too of my mum, crippled by arthritis and dementia, but who managed to parrot two phrases, which she repeated to anyone who asked: 'I'm fine' and 'I'm getting better, thank you.'
What a contrast, a revelation, when we are all encouraged to wallow, to own our own sorrow, to 'self care' above all else – a message disseminated by self-help books, podcasts, soothing products and candles.
READ MORE: LIZ JONES: The first time I spoke to rock legend Steve Harley he was livid with me. But the man I grew to know was as kind as he was fragile
AdvertisementBefore Kate's video aired, I had just spent a week almost having a nervous breakdown. I was so stressed that I was unable to eat or think straight. I was shaking and sweating, faced with potentially life changing decisions about moving house, moving in with a man, changing my daily routine. I couldn't even take a bath, let alone wash my hair, as what is the point? No one could help me, no one could give me advice. All I could do was escape into mindless TV. I couldn't even focus to read a book: the words danced on the page.
But watching Kate, I realised that the only thing that matters is our health. I once wrote in a column, in a misjudged moment of rage, embroiled in self pity, that I 'would rather have cancer than be made bankrupt. When you have money troubles, no one has sympathy, as they believe it is all your own stupid fault… No one turns up with a pot of stew, or flowers, or help'.
Seeing a young woman – who has three young children, responsibilities – face cancer with stoicism and grace made me feel deeply ashamed. What a whiny nation we've become. Women especially, buckled so easily by cat calling, the menopause, anyone treating us disrespectfully in any way. It put it in perspective that we could be felled at any point by something really serious, and life threatening.
Kate changed my mind-set. It was as though she flipped a switch. We should appreciate each day. Get up, get dressed. I've been a fashion writer for many decades and only now realise that what we wear can be a uniform, a show of strength that changes not only how we appear, but how we feel.
Because if it cancer can happen to Kate – so fit, so healthy, outwardly without a worry in the world – it can happen to any of us. And with our current me me me attitude, very few will be ready…
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Stellar Stories news portal”。http://mauritania.downmusic.org/news-39b599958.html
Related articles
Zimbabwe wins toss and bats first in 3rd T20 against Bangladesh
sportCHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh (AP) — Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and sent Bangladesh in to ...
【sport】
Read moreBurg Chinese Chorus celebrates 10th anniversary with concert in Germany
sportA concert celebrating the 10th-anniversary of the German Burg Chinese Chorus took place on Saturday ...
【sport】
Read moreThe truth about 'fake meat' and why Martin Freeman was right about ultra
sportDemand for 'fake meat' has undeniably taken the world by storm.Fuelled by a deluge of alarming repor ...
【sport】
Read more
Popular articles
- I survived being 'internally decapitated' after a drunk driver plowed into me
- United Methodists remove anti
- Peter Oosterhuis, Ryder Cup stalwart and CBS announcer, dies at 75
- Chinese film executive upbeat on Sino
- Maternal deaths have fallen to pre
- Broadchurch actress is unrecognisable as she transforms into a no
Latest articles
Chicago Sky rookie Kamilla Cardoso out at least a month with a shoulder injury
Ohio launches effort to clean up voter rolls ahead of November's presidential election
Kentucky judge declines, for now, to lift ban on executions
Gangs in Haiti launch fresh attacks, days after a new prime minister is announced
Chinese cars gain popularity in Botswana
ReelFocus Project selects fresh blood for film industry's future
LINKS
- General Motors reports strong first
- Trout bats leadoff for first time since 2020 as three
- José Ramírez homers as Guardians continue best start in franchise history with 4
- Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo out for Game 2 against Pacers
- Philippines, U.S. kick off largest
- Russia voices dissatisfaction over Security Council inaction on Nord Stream sabotage
- Father rescued from migrant boat tragedy in Channel 'watched four
- 'Boy in the attic's' mom's harrowing final words before she died of a broken heart are revealed
- Suspect in break
- China unveils data of technically recoverable oil and gas resources