I wonder how different Jade Goody’s life would have been if she had known where “East Angular” was.
“I am intelligent, but I let myself down because I can’t speak properly or spell,” was one of her most touching statements from Big Brother back in 2002. That sentence really speaks volumes.
After recently learning she only had weeks to live due to cancer, Jade decided to make as much money as possible so her two little lads could have the education that she never had.
That struck a chord with me because I have had those same thoughts too, having missed out on a university education, which I have always regretted.
When I made my will and named guardians for my two sons, I specifically detailed how I wanted David and James to have whatever money they needed for their education if the worst had ever happened to me. They could have every penny of my money, if necessary.
I have two beliefs about raising children: the first is to provide a secure, loving home, and the second is to give them the best education possible.
Poor Jade, it’s too late for her now. But what’s so tragic about this is that I imagine there are so many other Jade’s out there who also have regrets about missing out of an education which would give them confidence to stand on their own two feet in this harsh world we live in.
I think that is one of the most poignant lessons to learn 
to learn from this very tragic tale.
Jade and Jack, I hope you have a wonderful wedding tomorrow. It really is the best day of a girl’s life, next to having babies…
*This is what Jade said about “East Angular” to another contestant on BB. It still makes chuckle:
Jade asks Spencer if he punts boats on the River Thames.
Spencer: “No, I work in Cambridge.”
Jade: “I know I’m from Bermondsey and I know that’s London, but where is Cambridge?”
Spencer: “It’s in East Anglia.”
Jade: “Where’s East Angular [sic] though? I thought that was abroad.”
(Pics: Courtesy of Sky News and BBC)
For Jade it is sadly too late. But for others it is never too late to get an education. One person I know dropped out of school and picked it up much later and they are one of the people I admire most in life. That person is now teaching others.
[…] Aneez News Portal wrote an interesting post today on What Jade Goody and I have in commonHere’s a quick excerpt…myself down because I can’t speak properly or spell,†was one of her most touching statements from Big Brother back in 2002. That sentence… […]
Well there are no guarantees in life
just aspirations and expectations
and whilst everyday some are filled
a cast majority will forever remain unfulfilled
mmm to travel to other galaxies, may despite all our achievements and know how, remain but science fiction – at least for another generation or two.
I agree with your beliefs about raising children and have tried to give my son exactly that.
And i also would like to wish Jade a wonderful wedding day.
Many parents would say that education is most important – yet the bog standard comprehensive fills parents with dread and many do their utmost to avoid them.
Why is our State educational system such a failure when so many people are against it being so ? Why do so many Labour politicians do their best to keep their kids out of the mainstream ?
The truth is we’re building a nation of Jade Goodys – even the Jade Goodys can now see that this is a very bad thing.
What EK said.
But personally I see no point in mocking or derriding someone for not knowing information not given to them. Why should she know where east Anglia is? It’s not like there’s anything much there now is it? I bet she knew where Wales is and where to get a decent kebab in Bermondsey.
I have a friend who was just diagnosed with ALS–the second friend I’ve had with this disease. For those of us who have the gift of Life, I encourage education at any age. When I was hospitalized a few weeks ago, an orderly lamented that he had not made the move to attend nursing school. I was being wheeled into the EEG Room and gave him a good speaking to about it. It turned out he didn’t feel as smart as his colleagues. On top of that, I learned his tuition would be paid for. He thanked me and I believe he will enroll–age 40.
You and your readers might enjoy my two PR blogs on the same subject, which both provoked a condemnation of Max Clifford from CIPR President Kevin Taylor. The second post includes an interview with Max putting the case for the defence in response to Kevin’s first robust condemnation of Max on my blog.
http://paulseaman.eu/2009/03/homage-to-jade-goody-and-max-clifford/
http://paulseaman.eu/2009/03/max-clifford-tells-it-straight-me-online/