do you think eastenders as handled the downs syndrome story well?

Question

i with dossin it's ages since i'd watched eastenders it was only this storyline that made me watch again

Answer 1

I myself have a son with down's syndrome and i feel that Eastenders has portrayed it very well. Even though my reaction was completely different to that of honey and billy, i can see some similarities.Don't get me wrong when we were first told i thought it was the end of the world. A lot of people react differently and in some books i've read it talks about a grieving process, which i believe they are going through. My son is fantastic and although we had no idea he had Down's i wouldn't change him for all the money in the world. At the end of the day they have had this baby and are trying to deal with it the best they can

Answer 2

It all seems very negative at the moment but I won't have a proper opinion on it until we find out what happens in the end. I'm hoping that they will turn things around and that Billy and Honey will realise how much they love the baby and what joy she ends up bringing to their lives. That way, the programme will have dealt with the storyline well, because that is a reality for so many people, but if they end up having the baby adopted and getting on with their lives, I think they'll disppoint a lot of viewers and won't have handled the storyline well at all.

I wonder if Stacey might speak up about her abortion though if she finds out about Honey. Maybe if she opened up to her about her own experiences and said how she would have loved her baby no matter what it was but didn't really have the chance, perhaps she'll make Honey realise what she's got. They might use that approach, but who knows, we'll have to wait and see!

Answer 3

I think it is being handled very well. Although we are all supposed to be politically correct, there will be a generation of people who are still a bit 'old school' where they are not adaptable. I think most people would initially be disappointed with a child who has a disability or syndrome but in time and with knowledge, they learn to accept the situation. With regards to Peggy's attitude, there are still a lot of people who think in a negative manner, but hopefully Eastenders will be an eye opener for many people to see the challenges/issues that parents will have to face and the positive acceptance of downs syndrome within society.

Answer 4

No way. Turned the most likable couple (in eastenders) into a public service announcment about downs syndrome and on the way reinforced every preconcieved idea that was thought about this disability.

Answer 5

Yes very well I know someone who's baby was downs and I can see the similarities.
I have found it very moving and think they have done a lot of research into it.
Good one Eastenders

Answer 6

No. It's being handled very badly and very negative. Even worse next week when Peggy tells Honey's dad that the baby should be put up for adoption

Answer 7

as someone with first hand knowledge, i think they are portraying it very realistically, people are wrong to say it does not happen as it does happen and is devastating. they deserve an award, they have done their research so i say well done eastenders. i had stopped watching it and now am back watching it becos of this story line.

Answer 8

I think its splendid, and good for those who do not understand this condition - it reflects the myriad of emotions that all concerned may experience, it is a huge subject to cover, but a good one. I know it can be depressing for some, but hopefully informative for others.

Answer 9

i just think its a bit crap that both eastenders and corrie are running a postnatal depressiion story together more doom and gloom i want to slap both clare and honey and the stories are not even real

Answer 10

It's being handled so badly and Down's is getting very negative press I would imagine from this.