Kate McCann speaking last Wednesday about how the abduction of Madeleine has
affected her and her memories of her daughter.
IVF Treatment
"The one thing I have always been definite about is that I want a family. I
wanted to be a mother. Then when we were trying for a baby and it wasn't
happening, it was really hard. The longer it went on, the harder it was. I
saw my friends having children and I was really delighted for them, but it
made me feel sad too.
"We tried unsuccessfully for several years to conceive. There came a point
when we admitted we needed help. I was so desperate to have a child I'd try
anything. I know IVF isn't everyone's choice, but I wanted to try it.
"By that stage I was happy to start the treatment because it was taking the
pressure off us a bit.
"We had one unsuccessful attempt before Madeleine and that was very hard.
"But when I got pregnant with Madeleine it was just fantastic. It didn't seem
true.
"I did a test at home so I could handle the result if it wasn't good. I was
looking at it thinking 'I don't believe that.' Then I went to the hospital
and they checked it. I was really excited.
"Once we were past 12 weeks we were telling everyone. I swam every day until
the day she was born to keep us both healthy.
"It was a really uncomplicated pregnancy. I had no sickness, nothing. It was
so easy.
"I didn't know I was having a girl until she was born.
Smiling, she said: "There she was, perfect. She was lovely. She had the most
beautiful face. I'd thought I was going to have a boy, just based on
instinct. That actually made it even more special that she was a girl. She
took us by surprise."
Madeleine as a baby
"The first five or six months were really difficult. She had very bad colic
and cried about 18 hours a day. She had to be picked up all the time. So I
spent many a day dancing round the living room holding Madeleine. I remember
trying to butter my toast with one hand and holding her in the other.
"We would watch the clock and Gerry would come home and there would be three
of us. Sometimes she just looked so sad with colic and the three of us would
be cuddled together trying to get her through it. Like a lot of things, you
go through that difficult, bad stage and it tightens that bond. We've both
got an incredible bond with Madeleine."
Her personality
"She's always had bags of personality. Even as a baby, she was quite
determined and independent. Even at six weeks we could see her watching the
tele. She was so alert. Her favourite TV programme was Noddy. The colours
are so bright and she loved the tune. She would be bobbing up and down. I
know all the episodes of Noddy."
When the twins were born
"She was amazing, I keep saying that, but she was. She was only 20 months old.
She just handled it so well. She was still a baby herself."
(Kate's voice breaks and she has to pause to stop herself crying)
"I'll try not to get emotional at this point. I just remember when they were
born. I'm going to get a bit upset now, sorry.
"When the time came to bring Madeleine in, it was in the evening. She came in
and… just her little face. When she saw the twins for the first time it was
lovely. It was so nice, this expression. She sat on the end of my bed.
"She's great. We had the odd moment of course, such as when I was breast
feeding the twins. There was a tired Madeleine walking about the room
wanting attention. But she was remarkable the way she coped with it all. She
would look at me and say 'hold it, hold it,' meaning she wanted to hold one
of the babies."
Holidays
"We'd been away twice before. We went to Spain last year. Then we went to
Ireland this Easter. That was a big family holiday. There were about 28 of
us. It was great because the kids were all different ages, going up to about
13. They were all looking after each other. They had a great time.
"We were on a holiday camp all together. It was great. Madeleine is very
sociable.
"She was so excited about coming to Portugal. She was holding onto another
girl's hand walking up the stairs to the plane.
"She was no trouble on the flight, always chatting, and colouring-in or
reading. We had a year in Amsterdam and there were a few things we had to go
back for such as weddings, and Gerry's dad wasn't very well. She was always
perfect."
The week
"The kids had a fantastic time. We all did, but it was lovely seeing them
having fun. "We did use the Kids' Club and very often did activities there.
Madeleine in particular had a ball. They did swimming, went on a little
boat, went to the beach, did lots of colouring-in and face painting.
"Madeleine is at the age where she could really enjoy it.
"They played tennis which she loved, she was so happy. They had a little dance
prepared for Friday. It was a little presentation they were working on in
the days before.
Her voice dropping to a whisper, she added: "I don't know what it was, I never
got to see it."
"On the evening she went missing, before she went to bed, she said 'Mummy I've
had the best day ever. I'm having lots and lots of fun.'"
"I'd never been to Portugal before and a lot of friends said it was a
fantastic place to go. Some friends suggested Mark Warner because they do
sports. We're quite sporty, and we thought we'd be able to play a bit of
tennis and do some water sports."
The night she went missing/ was it wrong to leave the kids?
"There was about 20 seconds of disbelief where I thought 'that can't be
right'. I was checking for her. Then there was panic and fear. That was the
first thing that hit.
"I was screaming her name. I ran to the group. Everyone was the same. It was
just total fear.
"I never thought for one second that she'd walked out. I knew someone had been
in the apartment because of the way it had been left.
"But I knew she wouldn't do that anyway. There wasn't a shadow of a doubt in
my mind she'd been taken. That's why the fear set in.
"Then you do go through the guilt phase. Straight away, because we didn't know
what had happened. We were just so desperately sorry.
"Every hour now, I still question, 'why did I think that was safe?'
"I can't describe how much I love Madeleine. If I'd had to think for one
second, 'should we have dinner and leave them?' I wouldn't have done it.
"It didn't happen like that. I didn't have to think for a second, that's how
safe I felt.
Her voice breaking, she adds: "Maybe it was because it was family friendly,
because it felt so safe.
"That week we had left them alone while we had dinner. There is no way on this
planet I would take a risk no matter how small with my children. I do say to
myself 'why did I think it was safe?' But it did feel safe and so right.
"I love her and I'm a totally responsible parent and that's the only thing
that keeps me going. I have no doubt about that.
"You don't expect a predator to break in and take your daughter out the bed.
"I do feel regret. I've gone through all my life and said I never want to have
any regrets, but you can't not regret something like that.
"It could have happened under other circumstances and there would still be the
regret. "It wasn't like a decision we made. It was a matter of 'let's get
the kids to sleep then we'll have dinner.' It wasn't a 'shall I, shan't I?'
thing.
"I feel desperately sorry to her that we weren't there.
"This has touched so many people. I've had so many letters from mothers,
really kind words. People have said 'Kate we've done this a hundred times
over ourselves. Why would you for one minute think something like that would
happen?' It's not like we went down town or anything.
"People have said to me you're the unluckiest person in the world and we are.
"That night runs over and over in my mind and I'm sure people will learn from
our mistake, if you want to call it that.
"But it is important not to lose sight of the fact we haven't committed a
crime. "Somebody has. Somebody's been there, somebody's been watching.
"They took our daughter away and we can't lose sight of that.
"There are still moments where I think 'how did that happen?' You can't
imagine in your wildest dreams that anyone would do something like that.
It's awful for us but I have absolutely no idea what Madeleine's feeling.
Pausing for a moment to hold back tears, she adds: "How can someone do that to
a child? I've just got to keep focused and positive."
Cuddle Cat
"I was desperately hoping that Madeleine would be back before the cat got
washed. In the end Cuddle Cat smelt of suntan lotion and everything. I
forgot what colour it was. "It was special to Madeleine, she took it to bed
every night. If she was upset or tired she had Cuddle Cat. It was special to
her so it's special to me.
Talking about the night she went missing, she said: "I can't remember when I
picked Cuddle Cat up. I don't think I did touch Cuddle Cat. I knew straight
away a crime had been committed, we had no doubt about that.
"I look back sometimes and think 'you didn't do that badly.' We were very
conscious of not touching things.
"I can't actually remember when I collected Cuddle Cat."
Moving apartments
"When we moved apartments we unpacked some of Madeleine's things.
"We don't have a room for her set out or anything. I've kept her clothes
together. She has lots of presents to open that people have sent. Mostly
people who don't know her, and pictures other children have drawn."
Her birthday
"She was due to have a party with two of her friends in the nursery, including
her best friend. That went ahead and quite rightly. We were due to have a
little family one the next day.
"We had a private day, we did something with our friends. As days go it was as
nice a day as could be expected, to be with such a close, supportive group.
But it was hard to ignore the reason why we were there, because Madeleine
wasn't. Not having her there was such a huge void."
The twins
"They know she's not there and they do miss her. But on a day-to-day basis
they are happy. They're lovely, like a little double act, they're so funny."
Smiling, she says: "They put their little rucksacks on, hold hands and walk
off around the room. They're fantastic. Their vocabulary has come on so much
since we've been here. The older they get the more it stretches and there
are areas we're going to have to broach.
"But we'll let them take the lead. They talk about Madeleine's things and if
they get a biscuit they say 'one for Sean, one for Amelie, one for
Madeleine.'
"There are photographs of Madeleine all around and they comment on them.
"They've got a lot of love and protection. We've taken professional advice
just to check we're doing the right thing by them. We have contact with a
child psychologist when we need it."
The first visit back to the UK
"When we went back to the UK for a family baptism there was an empty seat on
the plane and Sean said 'that's Madeleine's seat.' That caught me.
"Because I wasn't going home, it didn't feel too bad leaving. It was important
for me to go.
"The hardest thing wasn't being the UK, it was to be with such close family
and for Madeleine not to be there. I knew how much she'd have loved to be
there. I'm blowing her trumpet again, but she's such a big part of our
lives.
Always conscious to talk of her in the present tense she adds: "Despite her
small size she just has this huge presence. She brings a lot of joy."
"It was a very emotional day, but it was nice emotional in a lot of ways. It
was good for Sean and Amelie, they thought it was really exciting.
"Amelie asked me afterwards, 'Where's Madeleine? I miss my big sister.'
"I don't know where that question came from, it could have been because it was
a family day. She's obviously made that connection, she knows Madeline's her
big sister.
"Amelie will sometimes point at the Cuddle Cat and say 'Madeleine. Her Cuddle
Cat. Looking after it.' She's probably heard me saying that.
"Sean said something the other day about Madeleine. It catches me. Then they
do whatever they're doing like 'look at this Noddy' and they're on to
something else. It's not dwelled on. I can be doing ok and then something
catches me in the throat."
Their relationship
"Gerry's way of coping is to keep busy and focused. He needs to feel like he's
doing something. He's a very optimistic, positive person. I'm not always.
With a lot of the campaign stuff, he has done the talking.
"Sometimes I want to speak, but I just can't. It's not natural for me. Gerry's
used to having to speak at conferences and it's harder for me.
"But I'm equally involved. Every decision is mutual. When Gerry went to
Washington, he rang me three or four times a day to ask me what I thought.
Although I wasn't there in person I knew hour by hour what was happening.
"His trip to the US was ok, it's funny what you manage to cope with. We knew
it was a positive visit. It wasn't about Madeleine in particular. We've
learnt a lot and become aware of the bigger issure.
"There are so many missing children out there, abducted children and sexually
exploited children.
"Once you know all that you can't turn a blind eye to it. Madeleine is our
priority but we have to help. We can't just ignore those other children.
Whatever comes out of our experience, anything that can make the tiniest bit
of difference to make the world safer place, is going to be a good thing. I
feel a moral obligation.
"Madeleine means so much to me, but you can't take it away from the bigger
picture.
The publicity
"I don't know why it's been so massive. Initially our family and friends got
on board. "We're normal people. We don't have amazing contacts or anything,
we just have strong friends. Everyone brainstormed and became very creative.
They did what they could and if that meant asking well known faces,
celebrities, it was done. They are normal people too. They wanted to help.
"Abduction is horrifically more common than I'd ever known, but the
circumstances of our experience are quite unusual. People have told me
'We've done that, we've done more than that', which is reassuring for me. We
doubted what we did. It's hard to answer the question 'were we wrong to
leave them?' because we weren't there that minute Madeleine was taken, and
now she's gone."
Message to Madeleine - If she could say one thing to comfort her:
"I'd tell her we love her. She knows we love her very much. She knows we're
looking for her, that we're doing absolutely everything and we'll never give
up."
Fears she may be dead
Holding back tears, she says: "I still have moments of panic and fear. It's
not as intense and unrelenting as the first five days. Now, obviously we
have hope and it's important to hold on to that.
"We felt lifted by Gerry's visit to America. They've been dealing with these
cases for 23 years and have seen people come back. They were positive.
"I do go back to those dark moments. It would be abnormal never to touch on
them. I do feel panic and fear when I'm thinking about her, but it doesn't
help. I'm not helping Madeleine by going there. It's important to channel
those emotions into something positive."
Going home
"I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to go back into our family home. I can't
bear the thought of it. We'd lived in that house for a year and it was a
really happy family home. We have so many happy memories in that house.
"Madeleine's room is shocking pink. She chose the colour.
"When we left the house we were organised, I was ready the day before. We left
early, put our clothes on and grabbed our toothbrushes. We were so excited.
"Obviously things change as the weeks and months go by. We haven't got the
pressure of Sean and Amelie starting school or anything. At the moment we're
staying and we feel happier staying. We are closer to the investigation.
Some of that might be mad, I don't know. We don't know where Madeleine is,
we don't think she's in the UK but there's nothing to say she's any further
from there than she is from here.
"It's a gut feeling. I'm aware there's probably things that would be easier at
home, but at the moment this is the right thing for us."
Going back to work
"It's hard to think about work. I'm not looking too far ahead, but I can't
drop the campaign, I know that. I can't turn a blind eye to it. We'll do
whatever we can, working with other organisations, to try to make a
difference.
"It's so hard not to get involved, it's so intimate to us now that we can't
ignore it.
"It's not like I go round in a bubble, but I honestly did not realise the
scale of this problem, children suffering like this."
Criticism from the public
"It is hurtful. I hate publicity, interviews, anything like that. I just hate
it. When things have happened in the past to children I've wondered 'how do
you get through that, how can you even live another day?' Then here we were
doing press conferences. You just don't know until you're in that situation.
Like this morning, how did I get in the shower, have my breakfast?
"I just go through the motions. Any parent would do anything they could for
their child. We're just doing what we feel is the best thing for Madeleine.
"Some people say the publicity will be harmful, that she'll be hidden away
because of it. But what can you do, just sit and do nothing?
"It's difficult. It's awkward. But it's not about me, it's not about Gerry,
it's about Madeleine."
Her and Gerry
"As a couple, I think we're stronger than ever. We're feeling far from lucky
at the moment, but we are lucky that we've got a strong relationship. We've
got an equal partnership. We don't row, we've never rowed. We have
communication, we talk a lot and that is vital at the moment. We have
different strengths and have reached different stages at different points
but we help each other."
100 days
"I'm still hoping we're not going to get there. Every day I'm hoping we won't
get to the next day without her. It's a long time.
"But we have to keep going for Madeleine.
"We haven't talked about staying here forever, we're just not looking that far
ahead.
"We've had so much support, mothers can empathise with me. Speaking now, on my
own, is a way of saying thank you. They've given a bit of themselves to me."
Having more children
"Before this happened, we wouldn't have gone for more treatment. I'd have
loved to have more children, but with the treatment we've been so lucky.
"We've got three beautiful children. It takes up time and I'm not getting any
younger. "But if a miracle had happened, I'd have been happy. Madeleine is
irreplaceable. I want her back. We just have to wait and see what life has
in store for us."
The parents made an error in judgement by leaving three children alone in an upper floor suite. Apparently, there was a grassy and treed area with a 6 foot concrete wall separating the hotel from the pool dining area, and a front and back exit into the hotel...how can one consider them "safe" given all of these factors.? And I wonder if the friends that were dining there will in the future say something if they feel that there is neglect or improper care provided to another's child.Because of this lapse in judgement, an innocent little girl is missing, and the parent's life is now altered forever. As a single parent since my dghtr's age of 5, I, too left her in bed to buy a quart of milk some 5 minutes away. That was 19 years ago, and the guilt still remains. Nothing happened, she did not even wake up, but psychologically it affected me, and this was nevermore repeated. Linda from Brandon, Manitoba
linda, Brandon, manitoba, Canada
Every parent has made erors of judgement when bringing up their children, I know I have, most of us get away with it but some of us are not so lucky, hindsight is a wonderful thing! I amongst hundreds of others used to holiday at butlins when my kids were young, used to leave them to the baby listening service when we went out to eat.........and they were fine.....but of course we were the lucky ones...
Diane, Mansfield,
Why didn't they ponder the wisdom of leaving their children alone? Kate and her husband are individuals, but neither of them worried. If she said, 'We thought about it, and decided to take a chance', I would have found that more credible. As a parent, you think of every eventuality, in every situation, good or bad. You worry about your children so much, especially when they are young. If she knew immediately that Madeline was abducted, why did she run back to the group without the remaining children? If they were dining within view, surely her screaming would've alerted everyone nearby? Why did she wash the cat? She's a doctor, it must have occurred to her that it might hold vital evidence, as it wasn't where it should have been. That cat would have fallen apart before I washed it, as it would probably have been the last thing my daughter held, and it would contain her 'essence' Many of you will condemn me as heartless, but a lot of these posts are overly emotional.
maria, London, UK
To Kate and Gerry,
I so admire your courage. I know it can't be easy to get through each day but your courage will keep your twins strong, healthy and on a normal path of development.. Don't give up hope. She's out there. As for the ignorant, heartless accusors. They should be treated with indifference. Don't let them take your power. I once left my 2 small children 3 and 1+1/2 asleep in a tent in a family campground in Amsterdam to get a few groceries at the camp store steps away. I shudder to think what could have happened. But like you, I felt they were safe in their beds for those few moments and the thought that there was someone so heartless out there to steal a child did not cross my mind. But for the grace of God. YOU did nothing wrong. The ABDUCTOR and no one else is to blame. Please...who ever has her, look deep into your heart and soul and return her to her family and then pray for forgiveness. You might just get it.
Dolores, Victoria BC, Canada
Kate, i know that Madeline is okay because people all around the world are seeing her in markets, shops, streets and restaraunts and i beleive in my heart that she is still alive
Sarah Magee, Trim, Ireland
god bless the mc cann family and bring maddy home safe in our prayers always
helena, london,
I only pray over for madeleine and her parents. Kate´s word are moving. I hope god's listen to them and the people help them in their search reporting if they see a little girl similar to her.
Federico , Iguazu, Argentina
I cant believe anyone would want to add to the agony that these good people are going through. How can anyone be so perfect that they can afford to judge so harshly and without one ounce of compassion for anothers pain. To those who do, be very careful because life has a way bringing all those judgements straight back on you. To the McCann family, you did nothing wrong, you were nearby and you thought your children were safe, and they should have been. However, no one would have imagined such a cruel thing happening in such a happy place. Hang on, Kate and Gerry, thousands and thousands of people are willing Madeleine home to you. We cant forget her, she could have been our child.
Patricia, Brisbane, Australia
Kate, you and Gerry are incredible parents and people. You only have to look at your three beautiful children to see the type of parents you are. Stay strong and keep fighting for all your children. Madeleine is always in my thoughts and prayers. She is an amazing child born of amazing parents. I have only admiration for how you have handled this terrible abduction. Madeleine has touched my heart very much. My daughter is my all and I can easily imagine the hell you are in. Stay strong and gutsy Kate.
JL, Sydney, Australia
My names Lillý Valgerður Oddsdóttir and I live in Iceland, ReykjavÃk, My heart goes out to you. I know Madeleine is irreplaceble and I hope with all my heart Madeleine will be found safe and well. Kate you are a very strong person and it was very tauching to read your memories. You are very iniative to help keep children safe on holliday. Code Madeleine has been launched. It is very good to have systematically serching for a missing child.
Many thanks to you and Gerry for your work to make the world safer for children
Dear Kate you are a very strong person.
Lillý Valgerður Oddsdóttir, ReykjavÃk, Iceland
I have spent every day of Madeleine's disappearance hoping for a breakthrough, checking the news throughout the day and into the early hours.. Despite recent developments in Portugal I still will continue to pray for her safe return and will continue to do so until all hope is lost.
Beth, Carlisle, UK
Everyday I check the news and more importantly, pray that Madeline will be found.
If you see a child resembling Madeline, get a few people and approach her while another person calls the police. DON'T LET HER SLIP AWAY AGAIN..!!
Aileen, MElb, Australia
Kate i pray that you in particular and your family are reunited with Madeleine soon - i too pray that by the 100th day she is holding your hand -letting 100 balloons float to the sky - i feel she is alive and i know you do too. I cannot wait for the photo of the family of five to be on the papers really soon - i have the bubbly all chilled .... xxx it WILL happen
orla galway, ireland, ireland
THose of have little Madeleine, GIVE HER BACK TO HER PARENTS, SHE IS NOT YOURS!!!!!! I cant understand how can these evil monsters exist in our world. KARMA WILL DO JUSTICE,IN SOME WAY OR ANOTHER. AND THOSE WHO SUFFER WILL REACH NIRVANA....
Maria Gascon, Madrid, Spain
God bless the family during the search. I also wonder if the authorities have looked in Bulgaria, Indonesia or Greece. I'm sure they have tried but just thought I'd ask. I hope they do. Also France. The sexual slave trade and buying and selling of children is disgusting. i hope it's nothing like that. And since USA is supposedly the largest importer of slaves, the US should be looking for her too. Where are the grandparents?
cmh, Central, USA
Kate, please take no notice of those people who have criticised you. They think they are perfect but they are deluding themselves - no one is perfect. Our children are now 38,36 and 34 and they managed to survive the mistakes and omissions we made as parents.
We never had proper car seats in those days and we didn't think to secure their cots. Once my wife left our youngest in a shopping trolley outside Waitrose in the centre of Cirencester and didn't notice something was amiss for 10 minutes or so. As they got older we stopped having babysitters as our eldest who was then 10 was extremely sensible and responsible - that mean't we could pop out to our local for an hour or two together.
As they get older children must be allowed to go out on their own in order to build confidence and awareness of the world outside.
We did OK, our eldest has just left the RAF where his last job was principal tutor on the Test Pilot School, and our youngest is an ATCO at London Centre.
Brian Wildey, Fleurance, France
i am so sad for the parents kate and gerry. i really hope they find madeline safe and well. but it is so sad. i watch for the news of her return everyday. god knows how the parents cope?
i dont understand this world.
ella, wells, somerset
Kate, do not for one moment feel that you have contributed to this, because it is all very well on hindsight to say that l should have done this that and the other. We will not be able to do anything in our lives if we take the blame for other people's evil. The truth of the matter is that no one should even think of abducting someone else's child. ln 1987 when our son was 2 years old, we went to Fiji and went for dinner leaving him with a hotel sitter and the same tragedy could have happened. . What sort of a world do we live in that we cannot even leave our children in their beds without worrying about this sort of evil?? Some stupid atheist said that if the world did not believe in God, then it would be a better place! l suggest you wake up to the realisation that this sort of thing happens because of people like you who do not believe there are consequences at the end of their sordid lives. The pepetrator should feel GUILTY and not you or your family. God gives us hope.
Virginia, Brisbane, Australia
Diane, Bingley, UK get a heart and a life and then try speaking.
My heart goes out to the McCanns's and pray that there is a happy ending soon. They did absolutely nothing wrong and many parents have done the same thing many a time. You CANNOT say "if only I hadnt drawn the money out of the bank it would not have been stolen" . Similarly it is not expected that some predatory /sick person will come into a house and steal a child and thus you must not at all blame yourselves.
John, Guildford, UK
there is not a day i dont pray for this little girl maddeleine ,and for her parents ,who are going trough hell .and people,,, stop the blame game,,, we need to find her !!!!!
elisabeth, melbourne, australia
hang on in there. miracles happen, as you well know. x
jane, coventry,
I am glad she addressed the fact that in hindsight, she realized how, for lack of a better word, stupid it was to leave her children that night. I am the mother of a 3 year old daughter, and I realize that I've done "stupid" things as well (leaving her in the driveway while I pop into the house to grab something). Unfortunately, they managed to get caught. Like Kate, I hope that people can get past the fact that they made a mistake and focus on the real issue; a child was abducted and she needs to be found. I can't imagine how I'd feel if suddenly my daughter wasn't there. My heart goes out to the McCann family. No one with a child ever wants to be in the same position that they are in.
Anita Nicole Wright, Providence , USA/RI
l cant even bring myself to read this article. As a mother, it will be unthinkable to imagine anyone going through this hell. The only comfort that l have is that there is judgement at the end of our lives and that we have a fair and just God that will judge with justice. If there is no judgement and these mongrels get away with this sort of behaviour, l dont want to worship this god if he does not condemn this evil. Some Christians believe in a God who does not judge!!!!! May Jesus our Lord and Saviour comfort you at this unbearable time of your life. Pray that your little angel if she is not alive anymore will be in the arms of the Lord and you will be reunited in the Kingdom of Heaven, If your angel is alive, that she is treated well and will one day be brought back to her rightful family. In the meantime, be close to your Saviour and know that the world has not forgotten your pain.
Virginia, Brisbane, Australia
Whoever has Madeleine, please give her back.
Hanna, El Bolson, Argentina
Kate, stay strong. I too have been through the whole IVF and have a daughter who is four. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Joanne, Brisbane, Australia
I have to say that, sad as it may be, I find this obsession with the disappearance of this young girl unhealthy and misplaced. Apart from other considerations, such as an evaluation of alternative news, it is making out that this is an exceptional event. It isn’t. It is the disgraceful reflection of the state to which society in this country has reduced, that child abduction and murder is a commonplace. If anything gets publicity, it should be this general fact.
Henry Percy, London, UK
GASP! 9pm, 20 yards.
I think you ought to get your story straight!
Diane, Bingley, UK
My heart is crushed for this family and what they've had to endure. I pray everyday for Madeleine's safe return. From all I read about Madeleine, and from the spark you see in her unique eyes--I have so much hope that she will endure this separation from her family, and God willing, find her way home safely. Our prayers for Madeleine's safe return will continue for the McCann family until that time that Madeleine finds her way home.
leah culberson, atlanta, usa
"Abduction is horrifically more common than I'd ever known, but the circumstances of our experience are quite unusual."
Yes they are. Maybe the London press will address that eventually.
philip, cambridge,
Kate, I think you are so strong, Please lry Madeliene come home safe and sound. These people have been through enough and we all need her back.
bm, Exeter, exeter
God Bless the whole McCaan family - they remain in my prayers in the hope of a happy outcome of this ghastly affair. I am not a parent and cannot begin to put myself in Kate and Gerry's shoes, but my heart goes out to them.
Sue Shaw, Morpeth, UK