The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off

[georgit79]

Did anyone see this? What do you think? Voyeurism of the highest degree? It was heartbreaking viewing, but it made me feel uncomfortable, as though I was just waiting for him to die.

[andy hughes]

I have made a pact with myself to avoid all TV that is either 'Heavens to Betsys, how shocking!' or stuff like this new 'personal hygene' series, where we all tut and gasp, or anything which really does not either entertain or inform me, so 70% of the current output is wiped out at a stroke! This programme falls into the catagories mentioned - I don't feel 'uplifted' by watching someone suffer unimaginable pain and suffering and trying to put a brave face on it.

[georgit79]

It's pretty sick stuff isn't it? I mean, we've got Eastenders, what more do we need?!

[becks]

Hello georgit, i don't seem to be able to stay away from you at the moment!! I saw this when it was on the first time a little while ago and literally cried all the way through it. It's a truly horrible disease and although i know what you mean about the voyeuristic side of it, i think it's really important to raise the profile of this illness. I've seen Debra shops and actually live near to where the charity is based but never really knew what it was for and i think the programme did a good jpob for them - i know that their donations rose by something like 150 per cent after it. It was very sad but i think that the way they shouwed jonny's body at the beginning meant you knew where this programme was going. I was really touched by it and it was one of those programmes that makes you think about your own life, i know it's a cliche but some of us don't realise how easy we've got it. I'm a bit of a voyeur when it comes to things like that anyway, i like cosmetic surgery and medical programmes even more, i really like the mutant series that channel four did as well, ooh i sound like a bit of a weirdo don't i!! don't mean to just fascinated by the human bodyand what it can or can't do.

[becks]

But that's the point Andy - i did feel more informed by the programme, i knew nothing of EB, and it wasn't about Jonny putting a brave face on it, it was the realism of what this disease is about. I don't think it's sick, i do think the tv companies take advantage of people's voyeuristic habits but that's always going to happen - how many traffic jams are caused by rubber neckers? - Now that is sick.

[georgit79]

Becks, I agree. I wish I didn't like watching this type of thing, but the truth is, I do, and that must make me slightly voyeuristic. I guess everyone has their own opinion, but I'm torn- I agree with you both.

[Iron-Fan]

it made me think "sh*t, stop moaning about work and any other meaningless little thing going on in your life, be greatfull for what you've got and just get on with it and enjoy yourself cos some people have it SO much worse" likeable guy with a good sense of humour, very brave and if it helps to make people aware of a disease that maybey they can donate towards a cure then it is a good idea to show it.

[Tamwell]

May I just state that this programme gave me an insight into exactly who shallow minded people can actually be. In my eyes this programme showed the amazing courage of a terminally ill person, who wanted to defy anything pre-conceptions about death. People who state that this programme was sadist in any way shape or form, purely sickens me more than this mans story ever could. His whole reason was to petry the simplicity of life and death and to say in his own way that death is not always a bad thing. He will forever stay in my mind and I just wish I as a human being who will one day die could have spoken to face to face, and shared the courage of jonny. God rest his sole and may he have now the happiness which he craved so much in life. An inspiration !!!!