91Èȱ¬

Awareness week:

Every calendar year holds many more than 52 awareness weeks. Mostly favoured by charities, these dedicated five to seven day clusters aim to raise the visibility of various health conditions, disabilities or other social issues. The sixth until the twelfth of June is a bumper week for Scotland.

It is throughout the UK but in Scotland, the focus is also on and

doesn't start until next Monday, but the number of relevant stories and links around the web at the moment, would suggest that the lead up has already begun in earnest. 8000 events are planned for between the thirteenth and nineteenth of June and the aim is to unmask "the true face of carers".

Sugababe spoke to the Daily Mail recently about being a young carer to her disabled parents.

For the Guardian's The Cuts Get Personal series, Kate Belgrave writes that in light of the possible closure of short break centres,

And, comedian with MS, has been talking about his care "package" in the latest in a series of YouTube videos.

The assisted suicide debate:

Jack Kevorkian died of natural causes this week, aged 83. Nicknamed Doctor Death, Kevorkian was known throughout the world as a champion of assisted suicide, claiming to have facilitated the deaths of over 100 people. In an opinion piece for the Ross Douthat challenges the claim by some that Dr. Kevorkian's actions were "a form of humanitarianism".

Back in the UK, Emmerdale's featuring recently disabled quadriplegic character Jackson, has been commented on by Aspire, a charity supporting people with a spinal injury. A recent episode saw Jackson take his own life, with the help of boyfriend Aaron.

Next Monday, 91Èȱ¬ Two's Choosing to Die featuring Sir Terry Pratchett, will air at 9 PM, directly followed by a Newsnight debate including representatives from all sides of the argument.

Epic journeys:

On Monday, brain-injured ex-stuntman Eddie Kidd finished the London Marathon. Eddie had been travelling around a mile per day, over almost two months, using a specially designed walking aid. He was raising money for a children's cancer charity.

And just the morning before, journalist started an epic journey of his own. The 91Èȱ¬'s wheelchair using security correspondent is undertaking a 350 mile bike ride across France, in aid of Help for Heroes, a charity involved in supporting wounded servicemen.

Frank tweeted on the first day of the challenge ...

"Amazing atmos here in Portsmth at start of 560km H4H bike challenge.
Bagpipes, nerves, the fit, the fat and a forest of prosthetic legs."

You can follow Frank Gardner's progress on Twitter @FrankRGardner.