Milton view Fury over lollipop chop
There were two stories that dominated the Advertiser’s social media channels this week.
The first to catch our readers attention online was South Lanarkshire Council’s decision to axe school crossing patrollers across the county.
Parents reacted with fury last week to the news that their school crossing patrollers are to be axed despite a huge public outcry earlier this year.
Back in April, people power led to South Lanarkshire Council backtracking on their move to axe 22 patrollers across the county after parents contacted the Advertiser to voice their concerns.
But last week, in a letter dated September 4 to schools who will be affected, the local authority announced that 20 of the previously stated 22 posts will be removed permanently from September 26.
Ann Rodger posted on Facebook: “Putting children at risk!
“I can only see this going one way and that is a child’s life being lost.
“We all teach our children how to keep safe when crossing the road but the sheer volume of cars on the roads now make it difficult, even for an adult to negotiate.”
Isabel Cooper said: “They don’t care about our children just about themselves.”
Moi Steele Mc said: “The lollipop person lost their job at St John Ogilvie a while ago since then two kids have been hit by cars and both got broken legs.”
Jacqueline Rhoney posted: “This will be ok till something tragic happens then they will listen.”
Mandy Hunter said: “This is just so wrong .”
Theresa Mc Spadyen said: “Jeez in the grand scheme of money that’s NOT the way to make a saving. One director would more than cover all their salary.”
Christine Carruthers said: “Maybe everyone will stop, look and listen for traffic instead of texting or on the phone. What with the amount of parents walking kids to school now what is the need for lollipop man/ woman?
“Oh I forgot gabbing and Snapchating is more important than the kids they profess to be looking after.”
Another story to dominate the Advertiser’s social media headlines was our article on cancer survivor Lynn Cameron.
Lynn, who was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer almost four years ago, has credited cannabis oil for her survival.
The 48-year-old was given just “six to 18 months” to live in December 2013.
Following sessions of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she opted to try cannabis oil in a desperate bid to save her life.
And now she is part of a new campaign group, Medical Cannabis Reform Scotland, pushing “for the reform of the current prohibitive laws around the use of cannabis for medication”.
Lynn told the Advertiser: “I took a seizure on November 30, 2013, prior to which I had been quite well.
“I had a scan on December 10 at Hairmyres Hospital and it showed a mass, and I was taken straight into Southern General at that point.
“I was operated on December 16, and on December 27 I was told that I had stage 4 terminal brain cancer.
“So I underwent the chemotherapy and radiotherapy combined, but was told even then I would live six to 18 months at best. A good friend suggested cannabis, but I was too scared because it’s illegal. I also found it hard to believe that it would cure brain cancer so advanced.
“But as the scans were showing there was no change to the mass, I eventually thought, ‘I’m going to break the mold here and try that’.”
The story itself amassed more than 30,000 shares on Facebook alone and attracted many comments.
Caroline Smith posted: “I used cannabis oil for my cancer 13 years ago and it has never come back. I went to Holland to buy it. No side effects and I needed two months of treatment. Saved my life.”
Marian Maguire said: “I’m so glad you have beaten this terrible disease, I wish we had tried that, just to see!”
Linda Maclean said: “Wake up researchers, get investigating and get this treatment out there .So proud of you Lynn and may you have a long and happy life.”
Clare Mitchell said: “Love this story and so happy you survived. Wishing you a long and happy life.”
David Anderson said: “It’s wrong to refuse people access to this. End of discussion.”