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Original poster

*************************aged 12 and looking after the family*******************CH4 NOW

238 replies

Nemo2007 · 05/02/2007 21:02

looks interesting.

OP posts:
ledodgy · 05/02/2007 21:53

I only started watching this about 15 minutes ago what is the matter with the parents? Is one blind and do they both have learning difficulties or not?

AitchTwoOh · 05/02/2007 21:53

i completely expect her to open up to jane treays. she's very skilful, not just some daftie with a camera. she did a brilliant One Life about a child and her alcoholic mother that still haunts me to this day.

bandstand · 05/02/2007 21:53

have social services been ticking the boxes???

twelveyeargap · 05/02/2007 21:54

I think that's part of the reason why it's so sad, Berries. There are so many blind and partially sighted people who cope incredibly well and learn to look after themselves and their kids. So there's just no excuse for this, really.

swedishmum · 05/02/2007 21:54

Sent dd to bed now - far too horrible.

bandstand · 05/02/2007 21:55

i feel for the 12 year old too

ledodgy · 05/02/2007 21:55

FFs I've not been watching long but this is truly, truly disturbing.

bandstand · 05/02/2007 21:55

sent my ds to bed too

AitchTwoOh · 05/02/2007 21:55

oh berries, i do think it's apparent that this is not an everyday case. i do think that they have learning difficulties as well, although as far as i'm aware nothing's been said about that on the programme.

ScummyMummy · 05/02/2007 21:56

True bandstand- but there's something much more complex and worrying going on for that particular 12 y.o. Social services should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. How can they possibly think that 2 hours cleaning is adequate intervention? It's absolutely heartbreaking watching.

wheresthehamster · 05/02/2007 21:56

Apart from being blind has the dad any other disability? I was just wondering why he just stands there doing nothing.
I'm surprised he can ride that motorised trike as well.

Hopefully being on TV will get the children the help they deserve.

It's very upsetting.

sandyballs · 05/02/2007 21:57

Very disturbing . Did anyone else think how unnaturally quiet those children were - 4 boys that close in age.

EllieKwithabigbump · 05/02/2007 21:57

they didn't think it was adequate help scummymummy, the parents actually refused anything more than that

sweetheart · 05/02/2007 21:58

Berries, I don't think anyone here believe all blind people are like this. I'm sure there are hundreds of familys out there with disabled parents who have a wonderful family life.

I feel the woman in this film is using her diability as an excuse to be plain lazy and her children are carrying the burden that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

i also think she is selfish to carry on having kids when she cant cope with the ones she has!

EllieKwithabigbump · 05/02/2007 21:59

i can't believe he just tried to make out she is lucky because she has a trailer for her bike

galaxy · 05/02/2007 22:00

Wow they smoke outdoors and have an FSO...but has anything really inmproved for those kids?

Original poster
Nemo2007 · 05/02/2007 22:00

think difference is that the mum to boy feels guilt/responsibility to her son but the couple dont.

OP posts:
AitchTwoOh · 05/02/2007 22:00

there you do. jane treays. very good.
what's the betting that the minute she left the family she was straight round to social serveces?

galaxy · 05/02/2007 22:01

and the following trailer for the juvenile ballroom dancers would normally rile me too, but pales into insignifcance

bandstand · 05/02/2007 22:03

must have been really hard to make. to try and be at least a bit balanced and not scandalous in the viewpoint.
wonder how they persuaded parents to let cameras in.

galaxy · 05/02/2007 22:04

Bought them a crate of Skol and 200 B and H?

bandstand · 05/02/2007 22:06

yea galaxy

Mercy · 05/02/2007 22:08

I think the parents do have learning difficulties, in particular the mum.

But I cannot get to grips with the scene (yes, I know it's done for effect but even so) where JT said the boys have their nappies changed before and after the girls go to/come home from school. Pooey nappies everywhere and yet Dad can manage to pour himself a can of beer.

EllieKwithabigbump · 05/02/2007 22:10

sadly i don't think the parents have a clue that what they are doing is wrong, so why would they need persuading to let cameras in?

ScummyMummy · 05/02/2007 22:11

I realise that, EllieKWithBump. But it shouldn't be a matter of choice in those circumstances. Every one of those children was depressed through severe emotional neglect, imo. Including the baby. There was also physical neglect. It's just not good enough to accept parental refusals of help. The social worker's job is to say Look. You need more help. Accept it or we will take your children into care.