Is no-one else watching the Tonight Special?

[catweazle]

I assumed that conditions in Romanian orphanages would have improved in the last 20 years but OMG the state some of these children are in. It's appalling

I'm amazed no-one else is watching this. It's so upsetting.

I am.DH and I have been in tears.I cant believe this stuff happens on such a large scale in countries not so very far from here.
Good for Sarah Ferguson setting up the charity to help.I know most slebs do charidee work but this hasnt be such a high profile thing for a while, so well done her for revisiting it and highlighting the issue.

I've been watching it. Have been so at those poor children and teenagers with such a horrific quality of life. I worked with adults with learning disabilities and DP still does, and I think of my service users and how different it could have been for them. It makes me want to go out there and do something. I feel so powerless. They were restrained ffs! All the time. Fed lying down and drugged to sleep. Am so angry and upset now.

Been watching it in tears, that poor boy lying in the corridor so that he could feel the sun on his face.

And those children being placed in institutions because they can't afford to keep them - wouldn't you think international adoption would be easier and then at least some of the problems would be solved. I know there wouldn't be homes for all those children , it's not a perfect world but those children deserve so much more.

I wonder can you donate to the charity?

I think that, rather than international adoption, a campaign needs to be started to try and make change in Romania and Turkey. International adoption is good, but can realistically only help a few. The countries need to change laws and policies about care of children with special needs, facilities, support to care for them, education, some sort of benefits to house people and ensure they can look after their children rather than abandoning them. So many other things, I can't remember all of what I just said to DP. There needs to be a change in the way these children are viewed, at the moment the view appears to be that they are subhuman. I hope this post was clear enough, I'm thinking on my feet.

You're right charchar. Made me want to go and adopt one but realistically the whole level of basic standards needs changing in both countries. Social care for the families so not so many are abandoned in the first place is a priority.

You are right CCG...But how can such a change be effected when the authorities are so keen to hide these poor kids and what is happening to them from view..

I really hope that gypsy family didn't go ahead with their plan to abandon those 2 beautiful little girls. It was obvious that they were well loved.

I agree with charchar that they need help to look after these children properly within the country, rather than international adoption- tempting though it is.

There is a follow-on programme on tomorrow.

It's so difficult, it does all depend on these countries willingness to change. What we must remember is that not so long ago this country had certain similarities. Depressing though it is, at least it means that there is a potential for change. Hopefully the publicity provided by the programme will influence the authorities to change the law. I somehow doubt it though...

I will be watching tomorrow. The gypsy children looked quite well cared for imo, they looked quite well fed etc. I can understand why their parents wanted to do it though. Couldn't even afford to build some sort of housing

I too watched this with tears in my eyes. I remember all the furore there was about the care in Romanian orphanages years ago and am totally shocked that it is still going on today. Those poor children tied up...

What is particularly shocking is that some of these children are not born with SN but develop them through the terrible way they are treated.

I really do have alot of respect for Sarah Fergusson and her daughters. Her response to the interviewer who questioned whether people would say she was doing this for publicity, was just brilliant.

Actually, publicity is exactly what she does want IMO to highlight this atrocity and gain support for the charity she runs which helps these children.

She really seems to do it because she cares, not because she wants people to pat her on the head and say "well done"

Watched it-and was horrified again because I remember the original documentary about Romania. Unfortunately as proved-things have not changed significantly despite the uproar at the time. Although I have the greatest respect for the DOY & her daughters for doing this I wonder if they will have the impact that they expect?. Don't think so.

I think that what will have an impact is that this will affect the accession talks for Turkey's EU membership, and the same for Romania. Neither country can afford bad PR on this, especially at the moment, as several nations do not want Turkey in the EU.

Once this hits the media in whatever way, then something has to be done about it by these countries if they want to join the EU club. France in particular is iffy about Turkey joining and this will add grist to their mill.

Mys ds has special needs and is profoundly deaf and i was so so upset watching last night......particularly the little deaf/blind boy eating his nappy.

I found this realy upsetting last night, when they showed the young girl tied up on the bed i felt sick, being a mother of sn children i felt i should watch this.

It seems that the staff have no traing, homes are under staffed and nobody knows how to deal with the childrens needs.

No child should be tied up but the staff just havn't got a clue how to treat them.

I wish we could do something to help.

So