Sally Phillips won praise on Twitter for creating A World Without Down’s Syndrome?, a difficult-to-watch but thought-provoking BBC Two documentary.
The Bridget Jones actress, 46, embarked on a journey to investigate the medical profession’s views over Down’s babies, and the pregnant mothers-to-be who are expecting them.
She explored the screening processes, including a new method which intends to eradicate the condition, and what life is like raising a disabled child.
While looking into the diagnosis and high rate of termination for expectant mums who are likely to give birth to a Down’s baby, she asked: “Why is everyone behaving that it’s a catastrophe?”
Another part of the programme saw her meeting with a doctor who described raising a child with Down’s as “a burden for a long time” because it is a mental disability and that “they live for many years”.
Olly has changed mine and my family's life for the better. He's broader our outlook #worldwithoutdowns pic.twitter.com/tX10LJxbmh
— Sally Phillips (@sallyephillips) October 5, 2016
She also visited Iceland, which has a 100% termination rate in Down’s cases after the introduction of the prenatal test.
Viewers watching the programme took to Twitter to praise Sally for her efforts, and for raising awareness of the issues surrounding Down’s syndrome.
Down’s syndrome is a genetic condition, caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 (most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes) that leaves the person with differing levels of learning disability as well as physical and medical issues, such as heart or thyroid defects.
@sallyephillips crying and full of rage at the prospect of #AWorldWithoutDowns amazing documentary - this NEEDED TO BE SAID.
— Lealah Hewitt (@lealahhewitt) October 5, 2016
@sallyephillips important for everyone to remember that someone with Down Syndrome is a person not a disease #AWorldWithoutDownsSyndrome
— Michael Wight (@michaelwight) October 5, 2016
@sallyephillips Congrats terrific documentary heartfelt and dispelling myths about DS #AWorldWithoutDowns
— Dolores Finnerty (@DoloresFinnerty) October 5, 2016
"If we have a society that is unable to care for people then the problem is not the person" 💯 Bravo @sallyephillips #worldwithoutdowns
— Kevin Kenny (@KevinKenny2) October 5, 2016
Sitting in tears watching @sallyephillips #worldwithoutdowns these precious kids are not a disease they're people #thinkagain
— Mark Russell (@markrusselluk) October 5, 2016
What a powerful documentary with @sallyephillips. #worldwithoutdowns
— Kev Johns MBE (@KevJohnscymru) October 5, 2016
Thank you @sallyephillips for this beautiful, emotive and informative doc! I hope it sparks the debate this topic needs #worldwithoutdowns
— Sophie-G. Ritter (@SophieG_Ritter) October 5, 2016
A huge well done to @sallyephillips for doing this amazing documentary #worldwithoutdowns thank you x
— jez tallack (@jezbit1220) October 5, 2016
@sallyephillips #worldwithoutdowns amazing documentary - what wonderful children I have witnessed tonight, well done Sally
— Martyn Wand (@wand_martyn) October 5, 2016
Brilliant documentary #worldwithoutdowns so thought provoking and an issue worth raising.
— Vicky Joynes (@SittingVicky) October 5, 2016
However, aside from the praise, other Twitter users thought that Sally was making mothers feel bad for terminating a Down’s baby, while raising the point that it is solely up to the individual and their situation.
I don't really think that guilt tripping women who aborted their child is going to help anyone #worldwithoutdowns
— katiesoze (@KatieSoze) October 5, 2016
Society must cherish & provide for children with Down's. But this not an excuse to deny women safe testing or choice. #worldwithoutdowns
— Janice Turner (@VictoriaPeckham) October 5, 2016
@sallyephillips Oh SO hard. As a Mum who lost her son at 5 months to DS? Would I do it again? No. I was tested.#worldwithoutdowns
— Lady S-P (@glamglyn) October 5, 2016
I'm sad that this @sallyephillips doc is so one sided and emotionally charged. The other side is just as valid #worldwithoutdowns
— Dave Howarth (@theDaveHowarth) October 5, 2016
@sallyephillips seems to have forgotten that we're lucky enough to have the NHS in this country...#worldwithoutdowns
— Laura Fortune (@Laura_Fortune) October 5, 2016
