The latest news on the telly appearance on Tuesday morning is that it's 'on hold' and we won't find out until Monday morning, just hours before our train is due to leave for London, if it's going ahead of not.
The reason is that there's a high chance they might be able to get a showbiz guest on the show. If so, they'll need to use our slot. After all, why spend 6-8 minutes talking about the terrifying increase of anorexia in teenage boys when you can talk to a celebrity about their latest news?
Forget about the fact that I've been busy juggling appointments, work and so on to free up enough time for us to travel down on Monday and spend most of Tuesday away from home.
Forget about the fact that I don't know whether or not to pack a suitcase or book a taxi to take us to the station.
Forget about the fact that I spent a total of two hours last week talking to ITV researchers about our experience. It's not just about the time, it's about the way going over past memories kind of kicks you in the gut.
And - key - forget about the fact that there is a slim chance, but still a chance, that whatever Ben and I say on TV might help just one parent or teenage boy who happens to be watching the show.
The fact is, if the celebrity / showbiz guest is available, then they take precedence over ordinary people like us, with an ordinary story to tell.
Meanwhile Ben and I have to put everything 'on hold', not knowing if we're off to London or not, packing a suitcase we might need to unpack again without going anywhere.
Yes they might reschedule us for some time in the future. But with All Systems Go for A Levels when Ben goes back to school, it may not be practical to take so much time off to go to London. After all, we're only talking about 5 or 6 minutes on TV.
Filler, really.
Want information on eating disorders in boys? Worried your son has an eating disorder? What are the signs of eating disorders in boys? In 2009 my 15-year-old son developed anorexia. Now aged 31 and with a MSc in Psychology he is recovered & working in mental health using his experiences to help others. I help to raise awareness of eating disorders in boys, point parents to helpful resources & talk about how eating disorders can traumatise families.
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I just wanted to say congratulations on a brilliant blog. I am a 20 yr old female recovering from anorexia but I like reading your blog because I think I can relate to a lot of it. It sounds like whatever Ben goes through he's got a great mum to help him through. I really hope it goes ahead for all the reasons you've said above but especially for all the people watching or who might hear about it and watch it. Unfortunately, I think it's the reality of the nature of the business but it is quite disgusting really, especially when such issues are at stake. I think both you and Ben are very brave for putting yourself up for it anyway and wish you the best of luck with it. Kirstie.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your great comment, Kirstie. xx
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