Eastenders - Billy and Honey

[prinnyhep]

For those of you who do not know, Honey has recently given birth to a Downs Syndrome baby. The couple have decided to have Petal adopted due to her condition.

Do you think it is morally right to have a real Downs Syndrome baby playing th part of Petal just for realistic purposes?

And, what would you do if you were in the couples' situation?

[bird_81]

What's wrong with having a downs baby playing the part? All children and adults are equal and deserve equal opportunities. Is it morally wrong to have any baby used in a soap? If you don't think it is, then why shoud it be wrong to have a down's baby in a soap?

Not sure what i'd do if I was in their situation, you never know until it happens to you.

[ganesh]

I don't see why not,same as putting any baby on t.v I suppose.
I don't know what I'd do- I dreaded it happening to me, I know they're lovely people but I couldn't cope. Let's face it, no-one wants one out of choice,do they? That's why we all have these tests for abnormalities. It's very sad really,and I admire anyone who looks after them.

[Pippa68]

I don't understand what morals have to do with the baby used to play Petal. It wouoldn't have been a good idea to use a baby that didn't have Downs Syndrome would it?

As for what I would do..

I haven't been in the situation where I had to make a choice, but know of a few couples who have. They decided to keep their children & having met the kids I can say they are as delightful as any children can be ~ I would like to think that on that basis I would make the same decision.

[marwel7]

As the father of a Downs syndrome child I wonder why you are asking this question.Do you also question the morality of using a real baby with no disabilitys?

It would be ridiculous to use a baby without Downs and then subject it to make-up.It would also be difficult to replicate some of the features of Downs with make-up.

Odd as it seems there are still people who cannot accept disabled people.A storyline like this could help to make people more aware and more accepting.Hopefully it will be a long term storyline and present a true picture of life with a disabled child.Hopefully the child's real parents will have some input into this and keep it realistic.

I don't know if I would have done the same.I wish the parents and the baby well.

[aurelia]

I think there's nothing wrong with the baby being used and I think it would be wrong to have a baby without the condition as that would be prejudiced. I work with children and young people with special needs and I feel that Eastenders is giving out the wtong message with this storyline. I have never come across any of the parents in our school of down's children putting them up for adoption. They may have considered it but there are conditions worse than downs. It is much harder I have found for a parent of an autistic child who looks normal to the outside world but who lives in their own world and only briefly do you get a glimpse of the real them.

In the most severe cases, the children have no concept of love and would not willingly give their parent a hug. That really upset me seeing a little boy, a family friend saying "give me a hug" and he did it but it was robotic and his eyes were focused on the wall. It meant nothing to him.

I hope Eastenders do the decent thing and have Honey change her mind and keep the baby, as this will send out a more positive message as it is not the end of the world to have a down's child, and in many cases Down's children can be very loving and can have special aptitudes in music and art. The hardest part for the parents is the fact that when they are gone having to arrange care for the child but there are so many awful genetic conditions where children die before their parents.

There is a soap in Scotland called River City and one of the main actressess' was a 20 year old girl with Down's. She was amazing - her sense of humour was legend - totally pocky and when she was in a scene it was her that stood out above the other "normal" actors

[joko]

what a ridiculous question!

what have morals go to do with it?

i really cannot see the problem here - would you care to explain why it even crossed your mind that there was a difference between that or any other baby?

or perhaps the disabled should not be allowed out in public?

[saxy_jag]

I have heard a rumour that baby Petal is going to die - but it is only a rumour, so don't quote me on that.

[daisy48]

I think EE did the right thing in choosing a baby with DS prinney. Although I've not long been back into watching EE I've picked up the storyline and yes,maybe it IS a tough decision for some parents but all I can say ,we have a couple living near us with 2 kids and a baby just 3 months old with Downs Syndrome and they all love her to bits.The pride show's when they're out,its plain to see her parents love her just as much as their other 2 kids.

[prinnyhep]

Joko, i didnt say disabled kids were bad!

[beejaybee]

I think it`s perfectly acceptable to have Downs babies playing the role of Petal. They are no different to any other babies who are used on tele/ films. As long as they are contented & it does n`t cause them any stress being infront of the camera etc, etc. This would apply to ANY baby/young child though not just Downs.

[joko]

errr...neither did i...

you are the one who seems to think its morally wrong to show downs babies in public!!

[Pippa68]

That's the impression I got too, joko.