Nineteen Weeks -Radio 4 afternoon drama

[mrsmuddlepies]

I have just listened to Eve Myles in the afternoon play Nineteen Weeks by Emily Steel. It was so very moving, beautifully acted and written. It will stay with me for a long time.
The writer Emily Steel had a late abortion because her unborn baby had Down's Syndrome. Nineteen Weeks is true account of her experience.
Eve Myles , the actress, played the role of Emily with such honesty and empathy. It was unbelievably moving. I think it will help any woman who has to go through the same procedure.
I do hope both Emily Steel and Eve Myles get the recognition they deserve for breaking the taboo by addressing this issue.
Do listen to it. It is such a worthwhile listen.

[gussiefox]

I heard that too. Incredibly moving and well done. Made me cry.

[ADarkandStormyKnight]

Me too. Excellent radio. Felt quite tearful.

[dimples76]

Just listened - I agree it was excellent radio. I would suggest that anyone listening to it keeps the tissues at hand.

[ScrumpyBetty]

It was excellent. Very moving and thoughtful. I cried.

[happydownsmum]

Yes, it was moving. I didn't have blood tests in my pregnancies so I found out at my second child's birth that he had Down's. I would not judge a woman for making that choice because I cannot be certain what my decision would have been, had I known. But with the experience I had gained, I was absolutely sure that I would not abort my third child if it had DS. What made me especially sad, listening to the play, was the assumption that raising a disabled child would ruin the mother's life and prevent her from fulfilling her own dreams. I have not found this to be the case. While I'm still his legal guardian, my 22 year old son lives in a flat with friends and carers and gets along fine without me. At the moment he's skiing in the Alps with his Special Olympics team. I'll admit it has taken a lot of work to get to this point, but it has been very fulfilling and I can't imagine my life would have been better without him. I'm not anti-abortion but I feel strongly that parents faced with the decision should get to hear both sides of the story.