Life with... Series One

Life With... is a new six-part observational television series focussing on Irish people living and coping with the realities and consequences for themselves and their families of life-changing medical conditions and illnesses. Each programme is dedicated to one of six conditions: Meningitis, Kidney Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Breast Cancer, Spina Bifida and Diabetes.

Episodes

Programme 1: Life with Meningitis

In Ireland almost 300 people contract meningitis every year. Approximately 10% of those will die. 25% will be left with life altering after effects like learning difficulties, loss of limbs, hearing and sight.

Oliver Lewis was struck down by meningitis when he was two. As septicaemia developed in his legs, his parents were forced to make a heart-breaking decision.

Mary Farnan's 23-year-old son, Alan, died of meningitis four years ago. Mary now raises money for meningitis research in memory of her son-her hope is that other parents won't suffer the loss of their child.

Programme 2: Life with Cystic Fibrosis

There are 1300 cases of Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland.

Thirty years ago, a baby born with Cystic Fibrosis was only likely to live for a few months. Now with the advances in research and treatment the majority live with cystic fibrosis into adulthood.

12-year-old Liam Gannon and 31-year-old Philip Treacy live with Cystic Fibrosis. Their lives revolve around two hours of treatment per day, regular hospital visits and the determination to live full lives.

Programme 3: Life with Spina Bifida.

One in every 1000 babies are born with Spina Bifida in Ireland each year. It is the highest per capita rate in the world. Living with Spina Bifida presents new babies with challenges and potential.

20-month-old Aoife Flood was born with Spina Bifida and is about to trial her first wheelchair. 44-year-old Gerry Malone has been a wheelchair user all his life and is also looking forward to fresh transport - a new car.

Programme 4: Life With Breast Cancer

Almost 3,000 women in Ireland are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. More than 650 die from the disease. 28-year-old Leah Grange from Santry noticed a lump in her breast last summer. She is now recovering from a full mastectomy and the prospect of infertility.

58-year-old Rita Gaughan from Mayo makes six-hour round trips to Galway for her treatments and has had to spend many weeks away from her family. But local breast cancer support has been invaluable.

Programme 5: Life with Kidney Dialysis

Seventeen hundred Irish people are currently living with kidney dialysis. Dialysis is a process where machines clean toxins from the blood when kidneys are not fully able.

15 year old Ronan Coughlan and 54 year old Marie Mellon spend four hours a day, three days a week hooked to a dialysis machine. Their life is spent waiting for their blood to be cleaned, waiting for time to pass, waiting for a kidney donation.

Programme 6: Life with Diabetes

Ireland is suffering from a Diabetes epidemic. Current estimates suggest that 200,000 Irish people have diabetes-a third entirely unaware they have the condition

63-year-old John Hancox and 38-year-old comedian Karl Spain live with Type Two Diabetes (commonly associated with aging or lifestyle). John has experienced a heart bypass, a kidney transplant, blindness and a limb amputation as a direct result. But John's love of football has helped to keep him going.

Karl Spain tries to joke about his diabetes. He keeps his diet and his medication in check to limit risk of complications. He is passionate about raising awareness about the condition through his diabetes comedy inspired routine 'Life is Sweet'.

Vivienne Caulwell lived with Type One diabetes (often genetic) for 54 years, but died of a diabetes related heart attack during the making of the programme. Her husband, Niall remembers her.