The Undateables

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Is anyone watching this? Can't believe it has been made tbh, blatantly treating the disabled as a freakshow.

It made sense to me MrsJay.

sounded a bit patronising to me sparkling

I read it as you found the love of your life even though you felt overlooked that's all.

Patronising?

But I agree, most people can't look past a disability which is why I am irritated by all this shock horror, they called it 'undateables' !!

Less right on concern, bit more recognition of reality and consideration of how to change it would be good. Which is why I think these programmes are positive. It is not a 'freakshow' in the way that awful gypsy programme is.

Actually, I think I have now decided to be offended by the assumption that giving air time to disabled people must equate to a 'freakshow'. who are you calling 'freaks' ???

I am a great believer that there is someone for everyone IYKWIM.

I thought it was quite sensitively done, shame about the rubbish title though. I liked Richard - DS2 has Aspergers too and I had visions of myself in 30 years' time practising dating techniques like Richard's mum (although I will be rather less glamorous and with considerably less gorgeous house ). I felt a bit sorry for the lovely French Patricia, shame he didn't want to see her again.

I meant it how you read it I do feel that people can be easiliy offended on others behalf sometimes , I will watch it next week ,

To clarify, I thought the woman was swayed by the telly cameras. I hope they make a go of it.

Spero, it wasn't "right on" concern, I was genuinely offended by the title.

And as if I would call people with disabilities "freaks" when my DD has severe autism.

Not impressed by your belligerent tone.

My ex had tourette's, it didn't stop him leaving me for another woman. clearly he didn't struggle with the dating scene.

Right back atcha fanjo. Your tone doing you no favours either.

If you wouldn't call disabled people 'freaks' why are you tossing around the phrase 'freakshow'?

I can't be arsed arguing, so twist my words if you like.

Oh and your argument is laughable given my non verbal severely autistic light of my life DD but carry on looking for online arguments if you wish.

Hope everyone else continues to enjoy the debate on the thread..I'm off, my online arguing days are well over :)

Actually, I think I have now decided to be offended by the assumption that giving air time to disabled people must equate to a 'freakshow'. who are you calling 'freaks' ???

I would hazard a guess that likening it to a 'freakshow' was because it could have been reminiscant to the freakshows of old where people with deformities were paraded around for 'normal' peoples amusement?

Not because Fanjo thinks disabled people are freaks.

I disagreed with the wording of your thread.

I am not trying to play disabled top trumps here.

Clearly, looking at the opportunities afforded to this of us who are disabled to play a full role in society, to enjoy sex, love and friendship, is an issue that provokes deep feeling.

Which is why I applaud programmes like this, which appear to be a sensitive attempt to engage with the real experiences of disabled people, and hopefully dispelled a few prejudices.

so I think you are wrong to dismiss it as a 'freakshow' and I am not comfortable with that word at all.

Perhaps rather than takin g offence you should accept the op in the spirit with which it was intended.

Richard reminded me strongly of my DS, who has Asperger's. Similar mannerisms/sense of humour. I'll have to remember to remind him not to pinch food off a date's plate when the time comes - he'd totally do that

Luke was lovely. I thought Lucy was nice but did seem to be a little too amused by his swearing. Be interesting to see where that goes.

Fascinating how Penny was so dismayed by her date being a wheelchair user.

"Fascinating how Penny was so dismayed by her date being a wheelchair user."

I thought that as well!

We were talking about Penny's reaction at work, my colleague thought it was totally unreasonable for her to not want to date a wheelchair user but tbh I can see that she might feel her size makes life awkward and that she would prefer a physically "capable" partner. But then we are all only an accident or illness away from disability...I don't know, I think perhaps once Penny has more confidence with dating she'd be less put off by dating someone with a disability.

I am at the statistic someone quoted about people saying they wouldn't date someone with a disability. I wouldn't want to fall in love with someone who already had a terminal illness as I'd be setting myself up for heartbreak but otherwise I wouldn't really care, if single I would happily go on a date with a wheelchair user/blind person/bloke with Tourette's/someone with a "disfigurement" etc, you never know who you'll have a spark with.

Anyone watching this tonight?

yep, just tuned in.

Yes. VERY unsure about this programme though.

I suppose Penny's reaction begs the question: is it possible to be disabled and still prejudiced against the disabled?

I mean it's tempting to give her excuses like wanting a physically more capable partner, or that it's down to her confidence... but isn't that kind of like someone saying "I can't be a racist - my best friend/neighbour/etc is black"?

If she wasn't in a wheelchair herself, nobody would be in any doubt about her attitude. Let's be honest, she had a right face on her the instant he wheeled into view. Her disinterest was verging on rude, really.

hate the title, but the show was quite interesting.