Another series of The Choice on BBC Radio 4

Radio 4 are running another series of The Choice which must be the 7th series on the trot that I have edited, the last 4 of which have been with producer Dawn Bryan. It is a series featuring people who have made life-altering decisions and exploring the whole process, from the original dilemma to living with the consequences.

This series has four episodes and the first 3 are available on iPlayer...

Episode 1 - Mikey Walsh

He grew up in the closed world of the Romany gypsies. Rarely at school, he seldom mixed with anyone outside his community with its colourful characters and strict family code. And despite its violence and hardships, it was the life that Mikey loved. Eventually he was faced with the agonising decision of whether to turn his back on everyone and everything he knew .....and face an alien world with no education and support... knowing he would never be able to return.

This programme really brought home to me both the strong community the Romany gypsies have, that is partially controlled by fear. But also the deliberate plans by some gypsies to take advantage and rip people off.

Episode 2 - Di Franks

When Di Franks asked her doctor about donating her kidney, she wasn't sure she would be taken seriously. Because Di wasn't giving her healthy organ to a sick and needy relative.. she wanted to donate it to a complete stranger. Five years ago it was illegal to give a kidney to someone you didn't know in this country.  When it was made legal, inspired by a friend in the US who had themselves donated a kidney, Di was faced with the extraordinary choice. Should she undergo a major operation to remove a vital organ to help someone she would probably never know ? Not only was she was risking her own life, the choice could have consequences for her son and the rest of her family if they ever needed her organ...

A powerful story of someone who wanted to help others but in a very different way.

Episode 3 - Joe Glenton

Joe Glenton was a bright young soldier, destined for leadership and intent on helping the local people, when he made his first trip to Afghanistan in 2006.  But what he experienced there led him to make the hardest choice of his life.. to honour his commitment to his colleagues and the people of Afghanistan or abandon his men, break his promise and run away to the other side of the world.

Joe's story made me even more aware of what war and killing does to individuals.

Episocde 4 - Professor Kevin Warwick

There will be more details on this rogramme on the Radio 4 web site next week.

But it is RIP The Choice after this. It is one of the changes Gwyneth Williams, the new controller of BBC Radio 4 has decided to make.