There is a huge difference between children who can have their disabilites and be different and children who are severely disabled. I didn't see the program so I have no idea how disabled these children were. But yes I would wish my son's disability away in an instant if I could. I don't mind him being autistic, but I do mind that he will grow up with no ability to live his own life, no chance to make any choices at all and tbh a pretty awful future. His disability does not make him happy.
My son has about the same level of need as Fio's which is probably why we tend to see things the same way. When he was little he had very severe eczema (wet wrapping eczema) and I can honestly say it didn't comapre. His life is far more limited now by his autism- they're not even close. This isn't said to pooh pooh sevevre eczema- it was dreadful- but to try and explain the limitations that a severe disability places on children (and the family). Imagine not being able to go to a park, a shop, a pub, a tree lined walk, a walk on grass, a queue, a soft play area, a family theme park, a hotel, a changing room if it is dark, a pool if it is busy, a post office, a ferry, a plane, a long train ride, a toilet with a handryer, your grandparents house to stay the night, a tent, your friend's back garden, a puppet show, the theatre, a party, because that is how much ds1's disability limits him and his life. I haven't even gone into the things he can't do inside the house. That's not a quirky difference that is part of him, its a life limiting condition.
The one thing we haven;t had to deal with (thank god) which is sounds as if some poor families on this programme have is health issues. I think those would finish me off to be honest. There must be constant worry and fear and anxiety on a daily basis. I can't imagine how awful it must be. And I'm sure I would need more than a fag in the kitchen to get me through. Fio's right in the scheme of things its not a big deal, it really isn't.