BBC News Stories
![A headshot of Shona Brownlee in her blue ParalympicsGB jacket](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548im_/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/490/cpsprodpb/BA74/production/_123623774_976_mediaitem-123579998.jpg)
'I chose to have my leg amputated after years of pain'
Musician Shona chose to have her leg amputated after years of pain - now she's a Paralympian.
Top Stories
![A headshot of Shona Brownlee in her blue ParalympicsGB jacket](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548im_/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/490/cpsprodpb/BA74/production/_123623774_976_mediaitem-123579998.jpg)
'I chose to have my leg amputated after years of pain'
Musician Shona chose to have her leg amputated after years of pain - now she's a Paralympian.
![Mary Whitehouse](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/{width}/cpsprodpb/13245/production/_123450487_0bc222a1-dff6-4835-8c58-7c509c1305fd.jpg)
Was moral activist Mary Whitehouse ahead of her time?
Samira Ahmed assesses the legacy of decency campaigner, whose name became a byword for prudery and censorship.
![Palak Kohli](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/{width}/cpsprodpb/7117/production/_123415982_kohli_rex.jpg)
The new wave of Indian Para-athletes making people look again
A new wave of Indian female Para-athletes are enjoying international success and forcing a change in attitudes in their home country.
![Bibian Mentel-Spee](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/{width}/cpsprodpb/14600/production/_123465438_mentel_spee_getty3.jpg)
'She was a master at living to the max'
Bibian Mentel-Spee died aged 48 in March 2021. Her achievements mean she will be remembered for many years to come.
![A hand removes one wooden figure from a set of five](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/{width}/cpsprodpb/134E6/production/_123387097_gettyimages-1337786732.jpg)
'We were split up from our siblings in care'
Readers share their experiences of being separated from siblings in the care system
![Jia holding up two drinks](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/{width}/cpsprodpb/155F3/production/_123493578_mediaitem123493394.jpg)
The lowdown on being disabled in China
From an outrageous poet to an "atmosphere of fear", get the lowdown on disabled life in China.
![Kayleigh Griffiths](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/{width}/cpsprodpb/C671/production/_123310805_super_promo_new_safe_zone.jpg)
Mothers who helped uncover the biggest NHS maternity scandal
Next month, a report will be published into one of the biggest scandals in the history of the NHS - why were so many failures allowed to happen?
Featured Contents
![A headshot of Shona Brownlee in her blue ParalympicsGB jacket](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548im_/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/490/cpsprodpb/BA74/production/_123623774_976_mediaitem-123579998.jpg)
'I chose to have my leg amputated after years of pain'
Musician Shona chose to have her leg amputated after years of pain - now she's a Paralympian.
![Mary Whitehouse](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/{width}/cpsprodpb/13245/production/_123450487_0bc222a1-dff6-4835-8c58-7c509c1305fd.jpg)
Was moral activist Mary Whitehouse ahead of her time?
Samira Ahmed assesses the legacy of decency campaigner, whose name became a byword for prudery and censorship.
![Palak Kohli](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/{width}/cpsprodpb/7117/production/_123415982_kohli_rex.jpg)
The new wave of Indian Para-athletes making people look again
A new wave of Indian female Para-athletes are enjoying international success and forcing a change in attitudes in their home country.
![Bibian Mentel-Spee](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/{width}/cpsprodpb/14600/production/_123465438_mentel_spee_getty3.jpg)
'She was a master at living to the max'
Bibian Mentel-Spee died aged 48 in March 2021. Her achievements mean she will be remembered for many years to come.
![A hand removes one wooden figure from a set of five](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/{width}/cpsprodpb/134E6/production/_123387097_gettyimages-1337786732.jpg)
'We were split up from our siblings in care'
Readers share their experiences of being separated from siblings in the care system
![Jia holding up two drinks](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/{width}/cpsprodpb/155F3/production/_123493578_mediaitem123493394.jpg)
The lowdown on being disabled in China
From an outrageous poet to an "atmosphere of fear", get the lowdown on disabled life in China.
![Kayleigh Griffiths](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/{width}/cpsprodpb/C671/production/_123310805_super_promo_new_safe_zone.jpg)
Mothers who helped uncover the biggest NHS maternity scandal
Next month, a report will be published into one of the biggest scandals in the history of the NHS - why were so many failures allowed to happen?
![Mary Whitehouse](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/{width}/cpsprodpb/13245/production/_123450487_0bc222a1-dff6-4835-8c58-7c509c1305fd.jpg)
Was moral activist Mary Whitehouse ahead of her time?
Samira Ahmed assesses the legacy of decency campaigner, whose name became a byword for prudery and censorship.
![Palak Kohli](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/{width}/cpsprodpb/7117/production/_123415982_kohli_rex.jpg)
The new wave of Indian Para-athletes making people look again
A new wave of Indian female Para-athletes are enjoying international success and forcing a change in attitudes in their home country.
![Bibian Mentel-Spee](https://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220313062548/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/{width}/cpsprodpb/14600/production/_123465438_mentel_spee_getty3.jpg)
'She was a master at living to the max'
Bibian Mentel-Spee died aged 48 in March 2021. Her achievements mean she will be remembered for many years to come.