Dr Jonathan Chick, MA Cambridge, MBChB MPhil DSc Edinburgh, Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, former Advisor to the World Health Organisation
Polio is a highly infectious disease. It invades the nervous system, and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. Resistance to the virus in the body can be stimulated by immunisation and the disease loses its power. When I studied medicine in the UK in the 1960’s there were no new cases being seen because of the immunisation campaign which had taken place in developed countries. However, working in Nigeria, Uganda and Ruanda in the 1960’s and 1970’s, I often saw affected children suffering as they still are in some parts of the world today. In the 1970s routine immunization with oral polio vaccine was encouraged world-wide with excellent results. Widespread acceptance of immunisation in rural as well as urban populations could lead to its eradication once and for all. Dispelling prejudice and ignorance about the vaccine will be vital to achieve that goal. Baxterbear step forward, please!

Dr Dr Maria Kelly
“In my experience as a GP and Psychiatrist to children and adults including those with a life long learning disability I can recommend the Baxterbear stories as they provide reassurance and simple explanations of attending Doctors’ surgeries and becoming an inpatient. The link to medical charities such as MedicAlert is relevant not only to children but to my patients of any age who are of limited intellectual abilities. Many of our patients are epileptic and have other conditions such as diabetes which can be aided by use of the MedicAlert system. Encouragement to do this could be aided by getting to know Baxterbear.

Dr Linsey Macdonald MBChB MRCGP (Olympic medalist, GP and General Physician with inpatient admitting rights) Hong Kong
Don’t forget the communities of Scots abroad especially like us who work in hospitals for those who will make good use of the Baxterbear Stories and what about use in primary schools. He would be very popular in Hamish and Fergus’s school her on the Peak in Hong Kong!

Dr Maria Teresa Ferrò (Neurologist)
I have been suggested to open your website by a friend of mine who is in love with Baxterbear. She asked to read the story related to MedicAlert – I read the other ones too of course – since I am a doctor and was sure I could be interested especially in it. The stories are really nice, easy and pleasant to read. I work in a hospital in the north of Italy, I don’t deal directly with children, but I think it would be nice to forward the story to children in the Paediatric department: to enjoy them while in hospital – reading is always a good thing for children and adults too – and at the same time to make children and adults aware of the MedicAlert. I think the idea of  Baxterbear who is close to children and help them overcome their fear when in hospital or have to face a medical problem is just wonderful. I wonder if you have this story in Italian or if it could be translated into my language!

Roberto
You see everywhere “books for adults written as if they were for children” or “children’s books teaching adults how to master life”, with speaking pigs, whispering horses, walking dogs. I confess I was sort of prejudiced against stories about a flying bear… but I have to say that right after reading the first lines I had the feeling I was reading something different. Baxterbear was not teaching anything to me: I was learning with him. That’s the big difference. I hold a degree in conference interpretation and am fluent in four languages – when I read a book, my brain cannot stop thinking of linguistic implications, how easy or difficult the text I have in front of me could be for a non-native speaker. And Baxterbear is the ideal friend for someone who wants to brush up their English, learn in a funny way what a sundowner is and at the same time travel the world with a flying bear and experience new cultures! I am constantly on the move and even though I always have my laptop and my blackberry with me, reminding me of the tons of things I have to do, I find myself browsing at airport bookshops looking for light but not stupid entertainment… and I would grab Baxterbear’s stories without hesitating! And if I had children, they would read these stories too… but only after I’m done with them!

Roy Robertson, Director, Scottish ABF The Soliders' Charity
I am more than just pleased that Baxterbear is getting some recognition for his efforts. All I can say is that Baxterbear is one of the most interactive and constructive parts of the essential fundraising efforts that ABF benefits from. Baxterbear supports soldiers and their families in keeping up the essential element of morale for soldiers in the frontline and for the families at home as he links them all together under the umbrella of support ABF offers. Baxterbear is more than an idea of help he is a force for good in the Army family. Keep up the good and necessary work. Faugh a Ballagh

Tom
I have been following your march to London with the Coldstream Guards with great interest, I first saw you in Edinburgh last year at the tattoo and thought why is there a 7 foot bear at the Tattoo, after further investigation, I found your web site, and was blown away with your story. I think what you are doing with the Coldstream Guards is fantastic showing your support and helping to raise funds for the ABF, as I am ex army myself I also like to do my part to support our troops and their loved ones, so I have just bought a Baxterbear from your  web shop.  PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

Emma, Australia
Thank you Baxterbear! My children loved hearing all about Edinburgh, particularly as my husband and I were in Edinburgh many years ago. Family friends recently travelled to the UK, including Edinburgh, and returned home with copies of your stories. The kids were truly engaged all the way through the story, eager to hear what was going to happy next. They love the fact that you are a less then perfect bear with your torn ear. This resonates particularly for my son who is quite short for his age, so he knows what it’s like to be a little bit different. He’s also started telling me that he too gets very confuddled! As for me, the stories are such a great size – not only physically but the length is terrific. As a career mum, it’s really important for me to be able to spend quality time with my children, and invariably this means a bedtime story. I am always on the lookout for stories that are engaging and really make my children ‘think’! So thank you Baxterbear and I hope to hear more about your tales.

F William Esq
I have just come across some stories about Baxterbear, and have thoroughly enjoyed reading them. My grandchildren have also found them entertaining, so he is truly ageless. It is also nice to have a character based in Scotland for a change. Finally, as someone who also has a birthday on the 29th February, I have always felt that I have been deprived of birthdays, but I now take heart that not only am I almost as old as Baxterbear, but that I am in fact, barely out of my teens! Best wishes and good luck – I hope to hear much more about Baxterbear very soon.

Scarlett
I'm very glad that your video is being published into many different languages. Also, its great that some of your bears are flying with the Flying Doctors in Kenya. Lots of Love from...SCARLETT! xoxoxoxo

Annmarie
I am an Italian girl . My Mum read me your stories. I have been also to Edinburgh Castle, not for my Birthday. I come to Edinburgh to go to a School to learn English in the summer.  Thank you for emailing me that the reason Baxterbear calls Princes Street Gardens the Magical Gardens is because there are so many hidden things there. I have also  been to Caledonian Hilton   for Afternoon tea. I like cakes and we always bring shortbread home.  

Amanda
 Please tell Baxterbear I’ve made his shortbread and gave to my mum on mother's day. I love your stories. My teacher read them to the class, now the whole primary school has a baxterbear in each class. We are now learning about world war 2.

Sophie
I’m now wearing my Baxterbear on the back of my rucksack going to school because I want to make a difference as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jack I showed the website to my teacher who is treekled because you have the video in different languages. She thinks it’s a good idea because it helps us with our French and it makes her happy. 

Calum
I'm the  bear who lives in New York City with my human companion Suzanne and now you Baxterbear  . They brought back good memories since Suzanne and I had visited Edinburgh last month and stayed at the Caley. You are a very good writer.  I hope that one day you get a monument just like Sir Walter Scott (who is also Suzanne's favorite writer). My question is, when are you going to publish more stories? Suzanne and I can't wait to read more of your work.