The Undateable's debate

It's one of the most popular shows on Channel 4 showing Disabled singles hopefully finding love with 'Normal' people. 

This weeks episode featured a lovely young man called Tom who along with Aspergers Syndrome also has Tourettes syndrome. 

Tom who also plays rugby in his spare time has sent Twitter and other British media into a frenzy with people tweeting to say they would like to go out with him. And actually I would as well because we have two things in common, Aspergers and Rugby. 

But despite good media coverage of Aspergers Syndrome and other disabilities is it a good idea to have 'Disabled' people take part in a show where they could be mocked for their disability?

I've always thought that positive media coverage of Aspergers Syndrome, Autism and any other disability is the way forward for people to finally understand a little bit more about how we live our daily lives, but it does come with some risks and can hinder rather than help. 

As a former student of TV and Radio I understand the production process:

• Conception of an idea (Content Creation)
• Commissioning of a programme (Usually going to Broadcast companies or external Production companies) 
•  Finding contributors and Research 
• Filming Programmes  
•  Editing the programmes (Offline and Online Edits)
• Transmission 

My question as a Aspergers Person is: Will you show me in a good light?? 

This is the same question that would pop into anyone's head who cares for a Aspergers person:

• What will the show involve? 
• Will it show all aspects of their personality Good and Bad? 
• Will they treat said person with Respect and Dignity? 

And when looking for something like love, is it really a good idea to launch yourself into the public and date someone who might not have any understanding of the condition?

There is a debate about whether or not 'Undateable's' is a good idea or whether it is a platform for Disabled people to be mocked publicly rather than bridging the gap of understanding and in some cases acceptance of people with disabilities.

People are against it for very good reasons and knowing what it is like to be a Autistic person and wanting to have a relationship with someone is difficult enough without a camera being stuck in your face for the whole time of the dating process.

Anxiety is a major issues of this process and this is something that makes you think is it the right thing to do? 

In this case it was for some poor reasons

Tom is good looking and although has disabilities ( I hate that word!)  has attracted support since the show aired with girls on twitter saying if he still wants a date they would gladly go out with him and have a relationship with him.

Whether their intentions where honest and not due to the fact that he is good looking or due to his disabilities??

It's a catch 22 for most people with Aspergers and other conditions related to their anxieties and how they manifest themselves. People have to understand when they meet a Aspergers person they might be meeting a different person rather than what is underneath.

I'm always talking about masking Anxiety behaviours that can be negative and detrimental to the Aspergers person. 

Hopefully Tom has found Love which is key here and hopefully is happy and comfortable in the relationship he has found from the show!

It is a debate that is now apart of the modern era with more shows popping up with this concept. Whether or not you agree with it or not it might be a platform for people who normally would find it difficult to find love and a relationship.