Janet Mitchell

Infobox EastEnders character 2


character_name=Janet Mitchell
actor_name=Grace
creator=Kate Harwood
years=2006-
dob= 4 September 2006
first=5 September 2006
last=
classification=Present; recurring
father= Billy Mitchell
mother= Honey Mitchell
brothers= William Mitchell
grandfathers=Steven Mitchell
Jack Edwards
grandmothers=Janet Mitchell
Janet Edwards
great grandfathers=Kenneth Mitchell
great grandmothers=Barbara Mitchell
great great grandfathers=Edward Mitchell
great great grandmothers=Betty Mitchell
uncles= Charlie Mitchell
great uncles=Ted Mitchell
great aunts=Caroline Bishop
great great uncles=Phil Mitchell
cousins= Jamie Mitchell
1st cousin twice=Eric Mitchell
Clive Mitchell
Archie Mitchell
2nd cousin once=Phil Mitchell
Grant Mitchell
Sam Mitchell
Ronnie Mitchell
Roxy Slater
3rd cousin=Ben Mitchell
Louise Mitchell
Mark Fowler Jr.
Courtney Mitchell
Danielle Jones

Janet Mitchell is a recurring fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera "EastEnders". She is played by a baby named Grace, [cite news |url = http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006420737,,00.html |title = TV tot's parents speak out |publisher = The Sun |page = 15 |date = 15 September 2006 |accessdate = 2006-09-15] who has Down's syndrome.

Character creation

It was reported on 22 July 2006 that a character with Down's syndrome would be introduced to "EastEnders". The newborn daughter of established characters Billy and Honey Mitchell, the baby was to be named Janet." [http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article56854.ece Down's baby in Enders] , "The Sun". URL last accessed 2008-04-13.]

An "EastEnders" source said "We will strive to handle this storyline sensitively" and Carol Boys, of the Down's Syndrome Association commented: "We are delighted that EastEnders should feature a baby with Down’s syndrome. What a great way to get the message across that having a baby with Down’s syndrome is not the end of the world."

torylines

Janet was born on 4 September 2006, on the day of the wedding of her parents, Billy and Honey Mitchell. Before she was born, Billy and Honey agreed to name the baby Janet, after Honey's mother who died when Honey was born. Janet was diagnosed with Down's syndrome shortly after her birth.

Honey had trouble coming to terms with Janet's condition, and when it was revealed that Janet would need an operation on her heart, Honey said it would be better for everyone if the baby died. Honey then refused to let the baby be named Janet, as she did not visualise "Janet"'s future that way. Billy had already started calling her "Petal" as a term of affection, so suggested to Honey that they should permanently name her that.

Petal was brought home from the hospital by her parents on 29 September. Honey found it hard to cope with Petal, and wanted her put up for adoption. On 3 November, Honey considered smothering the baby with a pillow, but could not do it.

On 9 November, Honey ran away to her father, Jack's canal boat in Kent. Billy tracked her down and took Petal with him. He put Petal by the canal, saying that people used to leave babies with Down's syndrome outdoors overnight, and if the baby survived, they'd keep it. Honey was shocked by Billy's actions and Billy picked Petal up and they went back home.

Despite her father's courage and love for her, her mother's fear of bringing up a Down's child won out, and the pair put her up for adoption, giving her up to a foster family, Kim and Tony Smith, just prior to Christmas.

However, when, on Christmas Eve, Petal was taken into hospital for major surgery, Billy went running to her side, and, when she read Billy's letter to an adult Petal, Honey followed, walking in on her Christening, and announcing her name - Janet. Doctors said she would be fine after surgery.

On Janet's first birthday, Peggy, Ronnie and Roxy threw a party, but it was crashed by Phil Mitchell who was drunk and fell onto the cake.

On 12 November 2007, Janet became a big sister to her younger brother William. William had a traumatic birth but luckily pulled through. Unlike Janet, he does not have Down's syndrome.

Janet left Walford with her mother Honey and brother William on 2 September 2008 after her father lied to Honey about keeping half of Jase's money when he was supposed to donate it to charity. A few days later, it was revealed that they were living with Janet's grandfather Jack Edwards.

Both Janet and William returned on September 18, 2008, when Peggy decides to have a family photo taken.

Criticism

The storyline involving the birth of Janet Mitchell has been criticised by the Royal College of Midwives, who claim the storyline was inaccurate and unrealistic. They claim that Honey should not have been refused an epidural and should not have been told about her daughter's condition without her husband being present. Further to this, Honey and the baby were being looked after by a character who was repeatedly referred to as "nurse Cheryl", when in fact, a midwife would be present, and would check on the baby continuously, rather than leave the mother alone to worry and then disappear without being noticed. They also claim that the baby appeared rigid when in fact she should have been floppy, and that nobody opened the baby's blanket to check.cite news |title = BBC soap EastEnders slammed over Down's Syndrome baby birth |url = http://www.24dash.com/content/news/viewNews.php?navID=47&newsID=10388 |publisher = 24dash.com |date = 2006-09-13 |accessdate = 2006-09-28]

The BBC say a great deal of research was undertaken such as talking to families with children who have Down's syndrome, and liaising with a senior midwife as well as the Down's Syndrome Association. The BBC say Honey was not refused an epidural but had actually locked herself away in the bathroom. They were also unable to cast a baby with Down's syndrome for the first few episodes, which is why the baby appeared rigid. The Down's Syndrome Association say that the way in which Billy and Honey found out about their baby's condition and their subsequent support is not a best practice model, but is still a realistic situation.cite news |title = Midwives attack EastEnders plot |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5339012.stm |publisher = BBC News |date = 2006-09-12 |accessdate = 2006-09-28]

Conversely, learning disability charity Mencap have praised the soap, saying it will help to raise awareness.cite news |title = Mencap praise for Down's syndrome soap story |url = http://www.bounty.com/News.aspx?Article=17638151 |publisher = bounty.com |accessdate = 2006-09-28]

References