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Channel 5 is seeking families with 2 SN/disabled/ill children..

31 replies

JESSnutsRoastinOnAnOpenFire · 14/12/2005 22:08

I am not sure if I am supposed to do this.. but I have a real bee in my bonnet since yesterdays' Radio 5 show about raising disability awareness in a bid to make things less of a constant battle.. and I found this on a forum I go on re cystic fibrosis. I will c & p rather than link because then it is just like word of mouth isn't it!

TV COMPANY SEEKS INSPIRATIONAL MUMS FOR C5 SCIENCE SERIES
Posted: 14-Dec-05 10:03

Channel 5 are developing a TV documentary idea about amazing families for a series of 1 hour films. Each film will chart a family as they deal with the challenges of bringing up two children or more with the same or different medical conditions. The series will aim to raise the profile of these conditions and explain more about what its like to live with them on a day to day basis.

The producer would like to talk to mums about their family's experiences with a view to filming a short taster tape in the next week. The film will not be broadcast at this stage and will take just a couple of hours of your time.

If you are interested, please call Kate on 0207 7493132 or email [email protected]. All conversations are confidential and there is no commitment at this stage.

So.. half against my better judgement I have emailed her. But I'm sure there are more 'amazing' (!) families than mine 'out there' that could do a far better job. I don't relish being filmed.. far from it (Dh seems keener than me oddly! ) but chances are they probably won't use us anyway. But seeing as I have sort of decided I am willing to contact our local news programme about our ongoing housing problem (for my own 'selfish' reasons) then I thought I ought to have a bash at this which would potentially have a more far reaching effect on the general public and maybe change a few attitudes about disabilty.

So if anyone else in the applicable situation fancies it.. email her!

SJ x

OP posts:
MrsFrostgetful · 14/12/2005 22:51

yes ..i emailed her too...my boys are autistic...

Original poster
JESSnutsRoastinOnAnOpenFire · 15/12/2005 10:51

Good on you Mrs. Frosty Perhaps we can be 'famous' together! (eek .. I can't actually consider to prospect of camera-persons coming into my oh so chaotic nightmare household.. I think I would just prefer to make my point verbally!!!)

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MrsFrostgetful · 15/12/2005 12:27

its funny really... as i have always felt like i am part of a huge reality show....my whole life just one episode after another...being viewed through a two-way mirror...and a hidden camera... so feel this is just 'more of that'!!!!

MrsFrostgetful · 15/12/2005 12:27

ps...I love FROSTY.... i may change my name!!!!

sparklymieow · 15/12/2005 12:28

oooooo I would do it, but I hate the thought of being filmed TBH (2 disabled kids with CP)

Original poster
JESSnutsRoastinOnAnOpenFire · 15/12/2005 12:29

Well yeah.. my life too, is something of a soap opera that I am very reluctantly starring in.. lol. I suppose there is that way of looking at it!!

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Original poster
JESSnutsRoastinOnAnOpenFire · 15/12/2005 12:29

Email them Mieow... don't be a chicken

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sparklymieow · 15/12/2005 12:30

No way

MrsFrostgetful · 15/12/2005 12:34

go on...lets insure that ALL the families are from MUMSNET!!!!

p.s i dread being really filmed...i am crap at even having my photo taken... so a hidden camera sounds the best option...hope they agree!!!!

COPPERfeelunderSantasTOP · 15/12/2005 12:40

I hate even having my photo taken so would be useless being filmed. I'm keeping my fingers crossed though that some mumsnetters will appear in the programme - partly due to me being a nosy old b*gger and wondering what you're all like IRL!

MrsFrostgetful · 15/12/2005 13:16

well...CT...i'm nearly finished bundling up my parcel for u...and i'm planning (though not done it yet)...to include a photo of ME! (as i've sent you the boys photo...but not sure if i can be brave enough to post my picture on here...as i did with them...but may be courageous and mail it in your 'package'!!!!!)

Original poster
JESSnutsRoastinOnAnOpenFire · 15/12/2005 13:38

Thing is, it's for disability awareness. I too hate even being photographed but I hate MORE the fact that everything is a battle.. a big massive fight to get our kids the things they deserve so that they are afforded the opportunity to reach their full potential.. even if that is not very far by 'normal' standards. Disability is oh so easy to ignore until it affects you (I used to be guilty of this too) and it SHOULDN'T be easy! One in 7 people is disabled! Society should be made to realise to disabled people exist and that their lives should not be made needlessly harder still!

Ahem!

But anyway, that may sound like an ideal but progs like what Ch.5 is aiming for can only help.. which is why emailed her.

So who else is going to?

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jenk1 · 15/12/2005 15:14

already did it last week

COPPERfeelunderSantasTOP · 15/12/2005 17:05

One day I'll be brave and send you a picture of me, MrsF. People always tell me that ds2 is a male mini-me so until then you'll have to make do with guessing from his photo.

The thought of our clutter-filled shoebox-sized house appearing on TV is just too scary. I'm not as brave as you lot.

Original poster
JESSnutsRoastinOnAnOpenFire · 19/12/2005 12:36

Has anyone been contacted? I have just had an email from her asking for my phone number but I think I have bottled out. The original 'ad' said about filming a short taster tape 'in the next week'.. it would be mad to try a fit this in on the few days running up to Christmas.. it would be hard enough to tolerate any time. I feel horrid now but I don't think I can do it.

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MrsFrostgetful · 19/12/2005 21:14

well...i was phoned today...just as i was off to bring the boys home from school.... so thought i'd blew it as i asked her to call back.

she did.... and largely due to the fact that tom was on a pc..leigh was on a pc... and alex was at a friends house...we had a 90 minute chat!!!
(i did warn her by email that i talk alot...and go off at tangents etc...and she STILL phoned....)

amazing how 'less stressed' i feel now... just having someone to talk to about 'it' was 'therapy' in itself.... then i remember why she phoned and i feel a bit scared... i walk out into my kitchen which looks like a tornado has struck...when infact it's just me on a good day....then glancing on down to the bathroom 9downstairs next to kitchen) and there is the usual array of socks and shirts training out the basket.... and then the thought that i'd need to but a barracade across our bedroom cos that is seriously out of bounds to tv cameras...not for what YOU would hope ...no.no.no...nothing as glamourous as 'snuggly moments'...more that our bedromm long ago became the dumping ground for EVERYTHING that i cannot place down here.... and seriously ressembles a JUNKSHOP!

(so 'if' this goes further...either they have to send round the 'how clean is your home'...for a double billing christmas special.... or i have to allow them access...as i am...cos really if i'm honest I WANT people (family????!!!) to see our life how it is... what I'm like...how i cannot keep organised...but how much i do do to help the boys!!! I want THAT to be made clear... I do not see ironing etc as my priority!!!

COPPERfeelunderSantasTOP · 19/12/2005 21:19

I thought for a moment that there were some unusual 'accessories' on display in the Forgetful bedroom!

Well done to you, MrsF. I'm glad the phone call went well and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that it all goes ahead.

MrsFrostgetful · 19/12/2005 22:06

....and CT...as i typed that last message...i just KNEW you'd reply!!!
hugs!!!

feastofsteven · 19/12/2005 22:07

Hope it all works out well. Will be nice to get a chance to "see" you in RL even if it is only on a TV screen

COPPERfeelunderSantasTOP · 19/12/2005 22:11

Am I that obvious, MrsF?

Mind you, you know my track record with phone calls. All the caller hears is a crash and an "ouch!" as I trip over the clutter.

Original poster
JESSnutsRoastinOnAnOpenFire · 19/12/2005 22:24

Well done MrsF. Good job we're not all spineless wimps. I started this thread, kept it going with brave words.. then bottled out!!

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MrsFrostgetful · 19/12/2005 22:30

trouble is.... i feel that i am already involved with this blooming tv show...when all that has happened is someone has called for our details to see if we 'fit' the production teams idea!!!!

and by the end of the call i felt that if we were picked it would be cos of how i am....in that i have no energy to push,push,push for external help for the boys...i am scared to start statementing off...scared to try diet changes....disorganised beyond your wildest imaginations- so our routines are chaoticly shuffled(which goes down well with asperger's.....)...and then she asked had we tried(or been offered...HA!!!HA!!!!)...any alternitive therapy etc.... she mentioned a parent had mentioned BIBIC (jenky????)...and i totally truthfully told her that there was a time when i wanted to go there...but couldn't persuade my husband...and now i am too chicken...as i feel that i am not strong enough to follow all the changes that they would suggest....when blossomhill came back from bibic i realised how comitted we'd have to be...and much as i say 'i'll do anything for my boys' etc.... i feel crippled sometimes by my own OCD/Anxiety....and poss ASD...that i just seem to go round in cirlcles...as noone is 'pushing me'....and i said to her that i feel terrible for that.... i said that whilst i know i do some great things (yes i can admit that to the millions if she wants!)...i use tonnes of strategies etc to help my boys cope...BUT i still have that niggling feeling that if they had a mum WITHOUT my probs...then maybe they'd be better off...as i cannot face confrontation at school whenever there is upset...so i sit at home and write letters....but i cannot do phone calls...so when the school rings me ...i cannot talk- just cry.... so i end up feeling so crap...as all that goes through my head is 'if i did this...or i did that.....' especially when i read on here what some of you do.... but i also explained to her that one of the highlights for me this year....is that i have had to teach my 12 yr old son

  1. How to HUG me
  2. how to kiss ME ....WITHOUT being sexual.....and i raelly do feel that i do well to do what i do....as he may be 'high functioning'....but when your child asks you to do what he'd hopefully do eventulally with a girlfriend...well...it scares me to death. (then i feel glad that it's me...as if he were talking like this to a girl at school he'd be in big trouble)

so ...there..... too much detail.... but it is the 'worst' problem i am having to deal with at the moment...with tom anyway!!!

MrsFrostgetful · 19/12/2005 22:32

oh- she also said after all that that they were interested in the parents who struggle to meet the needs of their kids due to their own disability/mental health...so maybe i do fit in there somewhere!!

feastofsteven · 19/12/2005 23:07

but MrsF - there would probably be a good issue for the program makers in itself that you feel guilty for not leaving every stone unturned re:alternative therapies, private assessments etc. why should it be unreasonable for people to rely on the NHS? It's a serious issue, I think!

jenk1 · 20/12/2005 09:46

Mrs F i have just tried to cat you but having no success-can you cat me as i would like to send you an email if thats ok