u/Redeemed_Mess84

I’ve been using large shaped incontinence pads inside my normal close-fitting boxer briefs, and I’ve found them surprisingly practical. In a way, I’ve basically converted my normal underwear into a diaper without actually having to wear a diaper.

I know they’re generally intended to be worn with fixation underwear, but my boxer briefs hold them in place well enough that I haven’t found that necessary. I like that I can still just wear my normal underwear. If I use a brand that tends to move around a bit, I just use a little fashion tape at the front to hold the pad in place inside my underwear.

The brand I use has also been incredibly absorbent in my experience. I use their Maxi level, and I’ve found that it can handle a full-bladder flood for me without leaking.

For me, the main advantages are:

1. They’re very absorbent — the Maxi has given me more practical capacity than even some of the highest-absorbency pull-ups I’ve tried.

2. They’re more flexible than a taped product.
   If I make it to the toilet in time, I can just pull my boxer briefs down normally.

3. They’re fairly discreet under clothing, and I don’t have to worry about a pull-up or diaper waistband showing above my waistline.

Obviously, the fit and absorbency will depend on the particular pad and underwear, and what works for me won’t necessarily work for everyone. But I’ve found this setup works really well.

Does anyone else use them this way?

But John came fifth and won a toaster

I have no words

I ordered a new duvet online recently. It didn’t turn up on the day it was due, but the tracking said it had been delivered. I assumed it had gone missing and was going to chase the retailer the next day.

Then there was a knock at the door. A bloke I’d never seen before was standing there with my duvet. He’d found it lying in the middle of the road about two miles away, spotted the address label on the packaging, and gone out of his way to bring it to me.

It wasn’t anything particularly valuable — just one of those duvets rolled up in a big plastic wrapper — and I probably wouldn’t have been that bothered if it had disappeared. But the fact that a complete stranger saw it, picked it up, and made the effort to drive it over really stuck with me. There was absolutely nothing in it for him. He was just being decent.

It got me wondering how often this sort of thing happens without anyone really hearing about it.
So, what’s a random act of kindness you’ve experienced from a complete stranger? Big or small — I’d genuinely like to hear them.

Hoping someone might be able to help me and shed some light on this?

I used to work full-time before I became severely disabled and was no longer able to continue working. When I stopped work I claimed New-Style ESA (LCWRA Support Group) and PIP, and have done so for the past 5+ years. My partner continues to work full-time. Despite “cutting our cloth” to our circumstances, we rely on my benefits as my partner’s income alone wouldn’t be enough to get by.

We recently found out that, for reasons too complicated to explain, my partner will be temporarily out of work with no income for 3 months early next year. I’ve checked a benefits calculator and it seems that during that period our level of income and savings would qualify us to claim Universal Credit.

My question is, if we as a household claimed UC for those 3 months to help us get by, what, if anything would happen to my New-Style ESA claim? Also after the 3 months when our financial situation improves again and we stop our UC claim, will my New-Style ESA stay as it was?

I appreciate anything could happen in the next few months, our circumstances or government policies might change, but if someone could help shed some light on this as it stands right now, I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance!

They really should change it. Especially as the “Reading Festival” is absolutely nothing to do with books!

I’m literally at the end of my tether! No matter what I do, no matter how deeply or for how long they’ve been asleep, if I try to put them down in their cot or moses basket they immediately wake up and cry. As soon as I pick them up again they’re straight back to sleep. I’ve tried leaving them to self-soothe but they just work themselves up into such a state it’s heartbreaking. It’s ALL NIGHT LONG. Baby is EFF so I tag team with my partner so one of us can sleep for a stretch in the bedroom, while the other sits in the living room holding sleeping baby, then we swap halfway through the night. This happened suddenly 3 days ago.

I love baby dearly and I know it’s not their fault and isn’t personal, but man it’s soo hard!

Please tell me it’s fairly normal and will pass? Or should I make an appointment with the doctor?

I was surprised and genuinely concerned to learn on BBC South Today this evening that, unlike Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, our own Dorset & Wiltshire firefighters apparently don’t have the appropriate protective clothing for fighting wildfires — particularly in this ridiculously hot weather.

They need specialised, lighter wildfire jackets rather than their normal structural firefighting kit, which is designed for entering burning buildings. One firefighter interviewed compared wearing the current gear in these conditions to wearing a thick ski jacket instead of a lightweight rain jacket.

I can't imagine how difficult it must be for firefighters to work in that kind of heat while wearing such heavy protective equipment. With the increasing risk of wildfires, surely we need to make sure they have the right equipment to do their jobs safely and effectively?

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service reportedly says getting the appropriate kit is a top priority and that they'll obtain it as soon as funding allows.

But honestly, shouldn't this be something that gets funded now, rather than waiting for the next major fire?

And perhaps this is something the local community could get behind too. There are some very wealthy areas around Dorset — Sandbanks included — and plenty of people with a very real interest in protecting the surrounding heathland and properties from wildfire. If the public wanted to help fundraise for additional wildfire equipment, I'd certainly support that.

Our firefighters shouldn't have to choose between protecting us and protecting themselves from heat exhaustion. They deserve the right equipment before, rather than after, we have a major wildfire on our doorstep.