Real Families: Henrietta's Heartrending Journey | Full Episode

Looking after two severely disabled children takes a heavy mental toll. Henrietta, faced with losing her home and unable to get any government assistance for her children, records a video diary to help keep her sanity through these dark and difficult times in their children's lives.
Real Families brings you stories of modern-day family life from around the world through the eyes of children, parents, and parenting experts. Stay with us for weekly documentaries and full episodes of evergreen family documentaries and parenting TV shows.
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From: Diary of a Mother on the Edge
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#RealFamilies #Documentary #Parenting

[@rainylaviana4659]

I give it to them it takes a lot of patience to raise them boys a special type of person . God bless you and your family

[@susanholman6267]

Amazing parents. Their work and personal experiences are so valuable to every citizen of the world. I wish I had a blank check (that would not bounce) to give to parents of all disabled children like those in this film.

[@agnesingram1580]

What an amazing mum ❤ I hope she got help x

[@TrueEnergizerBunnies]

I don't get how they can say Henry doesn't have brain damage. It's extremely obvious that something is damaged or didn't form right. I mean he has constant epileptic fits, that's damage right there. I don't know if his brain just didn't form right, it's a genetic thing, he was deprived of oxygen at birth, maybe he was injured somehow and nobody fessed up to it. I don't know. Something is definitely wrong though and I sadly don't see them "unlocking" his brain like they hope. But they seem like very loving and engaged parents and that's awesome and I'm glad their marriage didn't fall apart cause that happens so often in these cases

[@leannelillyrug1514]

His laugh is adorable 🥰

[@katebaxter1160]

I think they are amazing with their kids but they have got help and Java alot more money and resources than many other people. I was a little annoyed at times because they just didn’t seem to appreciate their situation. A lot of people lose their house but haven’t won the pools and got a beautiful cottage in Cornwall to fall back on.

[@susanzimmerma5760]

I agree

[@Jdjustsaying]

I 100% agree with you, they have no perspective on how financially privileged they are and there are so many parents struggling to put food on their table with children with disabilities.

[@elleg3651]

@@Jdjustsaying what has that got to do with them?

[@gemmastaines5706]

​@elleg3651 There isn't an endless supply of money, everything needs to be means-tested! So if you've got parents who own 2 properties outright (especially in South London and on the Cornish coast) can afford a full-time nanny AND pay legal bills to take the council to the High Court, why should they get the care their children need paid for by someone else?? The will receive disability benefits for the kids and resbite paid for my Social Services, but they can clearly afford a lot more then they're prepared to pay for.

[@maburg713]

What makes me so angry is that the Government will throw truckloads of money at these families that are perfectly healthy, perfectly capable, nothing wrong with them except they're LAZY, (you know the ones I mean?) and know that if they whine loudly enough, they can get their cigarettes and bills and booze paid regularly. But THESE lovely people, who have done EVERYthing right, gone down EVERY single dark road, been down EVERY horrifying turn in the road, and yet STILL bust their butts giving love and life and everything ELSE for these boys -- THEY get EIGHT. HOURS a YEAR?? They are drowning.... drowning in debt, losing their home and simply cannot keep up with the care because their Government will not HELP THEM?? What the actual f**k??

[@suzannewilliams4040]

What has this got to do with means tested benefits? I find some of these comments extremely harsh and insensitive. This poor family have two children with profound disabilities (not high functioning) and just to point out; it would cost the government a lot more money if they were to be placed in a residential setting. Even Cornwall Council confirmed that their kids had the highest needs in the county so I wouldn't begrudge them having a nanny or having won a place in Cornwall for that matter. They are wonderful caring parents trying to do right by their children. Please show some kindness and compassion.

[@melissamartinez913]

This is a amazing documentary and I’d really love to see a update, is their anything about what happened after their sailing around or outcomes from the drs in the US?

[@renae9365]

I think you and your husband need some help, yes, help with the kids, but you need an outlet, therapy, the ability to get away and take a break. I wish you blessings, I wish you luck and I wish you get the help you need.

[@susanholman6267]

When God matched Freddy and Henry with their parents, God got it so very right.

[@elainekain8905]

😥💔 don't know how you do it.

[@leamichelle3792]

if you keep it alive and if you decide to get it, you will have to care for it. You cannot always rely on other people to help you live with your own decisions.

[@bunclip]

Brutally honest. Unfortunately honesty isn't appreciated by many when it comes to 'vulnerable people'.

[@emeraldkimble7602]

I didn’t know they did shock therapy etc on kids not done in us

[@livanneberntsen2565]

I swear, both these boys makes me smile. They are so beutiful. Their disabilities makes them even more amazing. What do you think?

[@galegrazutis964]

Sorry but how does them being COMPLETELY dependent on other not being able to to even get a glass of water or go to the bathroom on their own make them amazing.????

[@Winter11158]

This is sad where is there disability support pension

[@debbiep6883]

Has she tried cannabis for his fits? I've seen people have amazing results with their epileptic kids using cannabis with practically no fits at all!

[@michelleshelley995]

My feanssee passed away last year day after Valentine's day.

[@melvalentine6637]

I think it’s disgusting these amazing family do not receive enough funding even just the cost of the things they need are extortionate nobody should be able to profit of a disability thing like talkers standers sensory items pads vitamin powders things that get broken during meltdowns it’s not like they can just pick up more hours at work to get them when you basically have a 4 foot newborn at home the government always turns a blind eye to special needs family’s and schools hats of to you both

[@ashb1212]

these parents deserve a medal. Takes a lot of strength to live like this. These parents should have their picture beside the term "unconditional love" in the dictionary. Wish I could see an update on this family today.

[@sngray11]

These parents are such extraordinary parents and I wish them and their sons all of the best. 💗

[@juliacapuano2062]

Amazing mom and sweet boys🥰, I hope they get help that they need

[@fevertree1957]

The boys are now adults in their 20's - would love to see how they're doing.

[@galegrazutis964]

Exactly as they were in this video l should think!

[@JunaidWolf3]

Actually they r in there 30s

[@gemmastaines5706]

There was an update of sorts, during Covid. They were on the news talking about the impact the lockdowns had on the boys. Trying to explain to 2 severely disabled people why they had to stay in the house, can't go out, can't go see their friends etc . The huge Impact of all the respite facilities instantly closing, all the carers having to shield and not visit to help with Freddie and Henry

[@dw1920]

Don't they have welfare or something like that in your country if not you should try and come over we have many things to help

[@galegrazutis964]

Let me guess your from one of those Nordic welfare for all countries!

[@jessiel7694]

Beautiful marriage and family ❤️

[@bnhyg150]

I've a cousin like them kids who's non verbal who can't do anything for himself, tough wouldn't wish these kids on my worse enemy.

[@Jdjustsaying]

100%

[@freespotter]

Thank

[@leamichelle3792]

Now they have to care for their kids until the parents die.

[@bunclip]

And then what? Must weigh heavily on the parents' minds every day.

[@sharonhart8360]

I hope some sponsers help you both out.

[@leamichelle3792]

Money, money, money...

[@shawnaellcey6970]

What a good mama. Really.

[@joannasliwa8147]

There are families with children without a place to live and no money to buy a food in UK . Every family has problems and this family does not seem to be THAT poor .

[@gillianbrookwell1678]

They're not poor; Living in London is very expensive, then moving to Cornwall. You need money to be able to move around like they have.

[@liztrainer895]

I would not judge unles you live there life

[@galegrazutis964]

For the life if me l can't understand if you have had one kid with such severe disabilities. Why on earth would you have another????

[@pinkmonkeybird2644]

They also made some very stupid and selfish financial decisions. I’m all for helping those who truly need it. These folks don’t need it.

[@galegrazutis964]

@@pinkmonkeybird2644 ABSOLUTELY! I don't live 8n England but l am POSITIVE the many many millions spent on the low lives by the taxpayers could be put to much better use! They are just PARACITES who have made poor decision after porr decision. And they expect the taxpayer to clean up their filth!

[@maryduhon9769]

Money needs to go to those in more desperate situations