Did any of you watch it on Wed night? I think it has been on before but I thought it was a really interesting show. 

Such a shame that this is the result of abuse for both sisters.   We do criticise the Social work today but boy I hope they would never let things like that happen today.

Hi Pam,
no, I didn't watch it.

When I saw your thread title I thought you were going to entertain us with your life story! ;-) :-D :-D

Hope all is well with you. 

Kath. x

"When I saw your thread title I thought you were going to entertain us with your life story! ;-) :-D :-D"

Heaven forbid Kath :-D  Being Pamela in my life is a hard task at times :-) :-)

Hope you are a busy bee with all this nice weather.

BFN Pam

I saw that. It was so sad. I thought the lady that was helping Pamela was admirable. 

Yup, we watched it and found it to be very interesting as well! That noise that she(Pamela) made whenever one of her characters *shut the door* was fascinating

The dreadful way that the whole family were bought up was horrific though :(

I watched it, :( I think its terible that it is because of abuse. It was interesting, the way they knew little things like, her rubbing her nose meant that 'Andrew' was there. I felt really sorry for Pamela at times, when she said she saw her reflection and realised how violent she was being - she couldn't help it!!

I somehow, as the programme went on, got the feeling that Judy (foster mum) wasn't as good as I first thought she was....  One of her alteregos (sandra) was a copy of Judy and sandra was very aggresive character.  Pamelas behaviour also seemed very bad when Judy was around, maybe this was just how the programme was edited.  The other carers didnt seem to get into Pamelas face as much as Judy did, also why did she do the reinactment of the fit pamela had a long time ago... I think it was enough to say what pamela had done and there was no need for the visual demonstration.

>also why did she do the reinactment of the fit pamela had a long time ago...

I found that very distressing and unnecessary, too. :(

I saw it as a way of belittling her infront of people, as I did the shouting at her in the middle of an airport and in a restaurant.  I havent got the illness Pamela had but if someone spoke to me like that often enough I think my self esteem would be at rock bottom.

I can quite see that Pamela would be incredibly hard work, but there is a large team (20?) working with her, and I don't think the mental and emotional abuse has entirely stopped. :(

I agree 100%.

I have some experience of care in the community (mental health and learning difficulties) and it's mandatory that the 'client' is treated with the same respect you would wish for yourself, I didn't see much of that from Judy, though the rest of the team seemed to practise it.  I also felt that she appeared to bring out the worst in Pamela and was very controlling. Watching the reaction of the rest of the team at one of the meetings was very telling when Judy started on Pamela (for what was actually nothing at all)  they didn't look at all comfortable with what Judy was doing, interestingly some of that part of the film was removed at Judy's request.

Im glad you saw it aswell, especially with you having experience.  I have spoke to several people about it and they saw judy as a life saver, hero etc.

The team seemed to be able to calm Pamela by chatting to her and telling her that her behaviour was becoming violent and she would check herself and try to alter it.
Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself, because someone has mental or physical illness this rule does not change!

Absolutley Leanne,

Nor should the rule change because they have learning difficulties or a combination of both.  Pamelas behaviour was not as challenging as some ;)

I totally agree with you both, I wander what it was that Judy wanted editing out of the show. I felt that she brought out the worst in Pamela and also could not understand why she needed 20 carers ( I think that is waht they said)

I also watched this programme and felt rather disturbed by it. I think that they said that the cost of this care was about £500,000 a year Is it just me or does anyone feel that this whole setup was almost an egotistical 'experiment' by this Judy to the detriment of Pamela ???

Daisy

I didn't like the fit by Judy but she did ask her to leave the room and Judy  was clearly distressed and crying describing it.

I think although Judy comes across at times perhaps mean she says it herself BUT the control needed over Pamela I think is great that they have to be able to keep things under control.

The other thing I thought was the control kept Pamela as the main person rather than letting any of the others take over.

I missed the comments about a team of 20 I thought it was a team of 5.. Must have missed that bit.

Pamela at times seems so herself and so nice, yes she had learning disabilities also but there was a warmth to her I thought.

I do pray at sometime she can get better control.

Wonder if the parents ever were punished.

Mel,

I was the same amazed at the noises and the sending them to their rooms etc.

I know a lot of studies are expensive but I really think the cost involved in help this girl is worth every penny to medical research and understanding alone.

The brain is just so clever. Just very sad the circumstances to make a brain do this.

Hope there is some follow up.

Does anyone know if this is repeated on any of the sky channels?  I only caught a bit and would like to see it all before I comment.

yeh me 2 or did any 1 tape it? as i didnt see it ether!

Try looking on E4 (if you have it) later in the week as they might repeat it or even late night on channel 4.

The thing is youve got to remember that Pamela wasnt a normal person. She was different and thinks differently to other people. The reason Judy had to speak so loudly and intimidating to Pamela was to really get through to her, after all she wasnt talking to PAMELA and thats who she needed. She also needed Pamela for safety down the stairs if I remember rightly. Talking nicely and sweetly to her just wouldnt get through (Like a naughty little child) 
However, I agree about the fit demonstration and that really wasnt necessary to show to the public with Pamela watching. I thought it was extremely distressing how long she went on for as well :(
I really do hope she improves, what a hard life shes had :(

I am not a medical person but do have a lot of experience with behavioural problems, learning difficulties and aggression in children, teenagers and through my job at one time, adults.  Given what I know and have lived through myself I too felt that Judy somehow needed to have control over Pamela for her own reasons, though I am not quite sure what they are. 

I was born close to where the girls lived although I have no knowledge of them personally or their predicament but I can say that I have seen this over compensatory behaviour in mothers of mentally ill children in the area in the distant past.  It seems to be the mother's way of coping with it without true regard for the child or in this case the adult in the care of a mother figure.

I saw Judy's behaviour as challenging rather than supportive and felt that the other carers where disturbed by it.  How it could be better handled I don't know, but you can bet someone is looking at the situation now with a view to improving matters.  It is such a great shame that the sisters were not helped when they were infants as clearly this is where the most benefit would have been.  What is even more disturbing is that mistreatment and abuse still goes on today making more seriously disturbed adults.

Not least of all Social Services, I wasn't impressed with their role and didn't think they came out of it well.

As I said, I haven't seen the whole programme and would be interested to do so but echo, echo!!

Echo you hit the nail on the haed there!