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I am planning to become the youngest pilot to solo-circumnavigate the world in the third quarter of 2011. I want to raise $875,000 for the 875,000 youth out of 3.5 million young Australians suffering from some form of mental illness.

Steven H. Sydney. Australia

I have multiple sclerosis (MS). It is incurable and, although mine is relatively mild, I would love a cure for myself and all of the other people in this world that deal with life under the MonSter.
I live in a triplex/maisonette with a flight of stairs from the front door to the kitchen and another from the kitchen up to the rest of the rooms. Whilst I can manage the stairs most days, a single storey bungalow or ground floor flat would be so much easier to live with.
I also cannot manage to do ANY housework or chores. A cleaner/housekeeper would be wonderful. I am no longer able to drive and so hubby does all of the shopping and I am so clumsy now that he also does all of the cooking. I love him for being willing to do these things but it is taking a toll on him and a housekeeper/PA/companion would be such a boon.
However, we are both currently bankrupt and so do not have the means to move or hire any help. I cannot work but do draw state benefits to help out. Hubby is currently also out of work and signed off with depression.
So, what I would like / want is to catch a break. We need better than this to be able to live comfortably but do not have the ability to get this for ourselves. A cure for MS is currently unlikely and the other stuff all takes money that we do not have.
Access to an accessible garden (with a gardener or the same does-everything-housekeeper as before) or even a patio to be able to sit outdoors in the fresh air would be wonderful, as well, but is currently beyond my wildest dreams.

I took the picture in my mum’s garden – which is to long a walk from here for me to visit often.

Natalie F. Horsham, United Kingdom

My mother was traumatized as a child, and now im her child and she has lost her mind. She sees things and has a strong connection to religion. And because im not a believer, i do not exist. I want my mother to be sane again so that she will see me.

Yoo-Na. Halmstad, Sweden

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My mum is dying of cancer and I want her to live. I don’t want to lose her.  I feel helpless, I want her to live.

Kate L. Perth. Australia

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When I learnt that Christopher Hitchens had cancer I was not surprised since he spent a vast chunk of his life to date imbibing and inhaling with gusto but I still fell to a metaphorical knee on the happenstance that his light might be extinguished. When I first discovered the writer and luminary Christopher Hitchens I was searching for some truth in life, a light in the darkness of ignorance and found the well considered writings of this brilliant, brilliant man. I am not ready to accept the obituary of Christopher Hitchens, he must capitalise upon his hard work and success and reap the benefits of each word put to paper and every thought uttered.

Like Hitch I spent formative years in and around the dismal island of Portsmouth on the otherwise pleasant south coast of England, like Hitchens I have moved countries and I feel a synergy for the stranger in a strange land. I feel it appropriate to add that I have lost many people in my life to cancer, notably my mother, grandparents and favourite aunt amongst others and as such I am acutely aware of the challenge facing Hitch today, the behemoth of cancer, epic in its scale and consequences but I am confident that the medical staff attending him will be amongst the best in the world, no expense spared, no poison left untested.  Hitchens has always been a fighter, fighting the dawn, fighting the oppression of Bronze Age cults and medieval publishers, fighting for the sake of it to keep his polymath mind agile and ready for attack. If there is anyone that can beat cancer it is this man assisted through the liberal application of radiation and sheer stubbornness.

I want to believe that Hitchens free-thinking autodidactic journey is not over, that the cancer is a stumbling block that will further strengthen his resolve. I wanted to hear Hitch speak at the Opera House on his recent visit to Sydney but a brutal storm that night coupled with the opposing pleasures of a boozy party with friends meant that I was unwilling to take a chance that a ticket tout might grant me access. I had already viewed the presentation accompanying his book launch via youtube and was confident that the content would not vary a great deal, however I will not take this chance again and when Hitch is next in Sydney I will spare no effort to be in the audience to hear him speak and to stand and applaud his efforts and life’s work.

If you have not read any of Hitchens work then I implore you to do so, his honesty and courage in standing up against religious and political tyranny affords him the hard fought position of a cultural revolutionary and I firmly believe that if Christopher Hitchens survives cancer he will go on to light a fire that will burn for a hundred years. Gushing words and appalling punctuation aside, I need, we all need, this man to live.

Nick C. Sydney. Australia

I want to walk like a normal person. Long time ago I had a big accident and now my legs isn’t working correctly. Its always seen me so weird when I see some walking people. Weird moving, likes dreaming, flying, swiming.  By the way i cant either all of them. Im sitting here and waiting nothing. Its just a simple request who has hear me there, i am ready to sacrifice everything for that, i just wanna walk and go to somewhere i didnt discover yet.

Richard B , SE, Sweden

I wish I didn’t have Bipolar, or Borderline Personality Disorder, I cannot get close to people and can cut people out of my life with no regrets. I hate being so high people think you are on drugs, and I hate being so low you want to end it all. I have a constant crowd noise in my head, it’s never quiet.

Carla B , Yorkshire, England

I reckon we all get an allowance of cigarettes to smoke in our lifetime. I’ve smoked all mine and some of yours and it’s time to quit. I hope admitting it to myself through here will help me to help myself. Any tips other than the usual patches?

Lisa, QLD, Australia