EastEnders can help to combat Down’s syndrome stigma
26 July 2012
Elliot Rosen may not be a household name yet, but he could
soon become the first superstar with Down's syndrome. Rosen has
just joined the cast of one of the highest rating shows on
television - EastEnders - as Eddie Moon's son, Craig,
where he will be regularly seen by millions. While the means
of introducing Craig - the old 'long-lost brother' plotline - was
toe-curlingly clichéd, at least he's made it to Albert Square now.
That in itself is significant because Craig could help to break
down the stigma that still affects people with Down's syndrome. In
fact, I've blogged before on how soaps could contribute
to the fight against stigma by introducing characters with learning
disabilities. The power of programmes like EastEnders to
help tackle stigma is undeniable. For example, Stacey Slater's
development of bipolar disorder was a long-running and much-praised
plot that has been acknowledged as helping to raise awareness and
understanding of the condition. At the time, MDF, The Bipolar
Organisation, said the number of young people calling its helpline
doubled in 6 months, mainly because of the storyline. There is no
reason why - if done properly - Craig Moon can't achieve something
similar for people with Down's syndrome. But to do this
effectively, Craig needs to have some realistic storylines. Of
course, he should be seen in and around Albert Square regularly -
doing mundane things like popping into the launderette - and being
an active member of the community, which will help to improve the
public's understanding of people with the condition. But it
shouldn't end there. There is so much scope for dramatic, yet
true-to-life stories that Craig could be involved in, that soaps
haven't covered before, such as experiencing (and dealing with)
hate crime, for example. This is often a hidden crime, but a
storyline in EastEnders would make it a national talking
point. This is an opportunity that EastEnders'
scriptwriters should grab. No other soap has done anything like
this. It might just help to change attitudes, as well as making
Elliot Rosen a star.
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