Real Stories With Ranvir Singh - Episode 5
In the penultimate episode of the series, Ranvir Singh and Michael Underwood report on 3 more remarkable stories - tonight at 8pm on ITV.
Our Son Jack
Jack Clayton has become a social media sensation after his Dad Lawrence began posting photos of the family online.
The 22 month old has enthusiasm for life and an infectious smile, meaning there’s never a dull moment when Jack’s around! His antics, along with his two sisters, have won the hearts of people across the world.
The family were dealt a devastating blow when they discovered their newborn had Downs Syndrome. Their initial reaction was to keep it from wider family members and friends as they didn’t want people to feel sorry for them.
As Jack’s care plan was unknown, Lawrence decided on becoming a stay-at-home dad to look after all three children and run the family home. This gave Lawrence the opportunity to document Jack’s life online, while raising awareness and trying to change people’s attitude towards disability.
The family’s reach online has surpassed their expectations; across different social media sites they have more than 16,000 followers, from as far afield as Canada and New Zealand.
“People just love him!” says proud mum, Nikki.
To follow Jack and his family use the links below:
7/7 Remembered
Two months ago saw a day of commemorations marking ten years since the London bombings of July 2005.
The terrorist attack claimed 52 lives and injured nearly 800 people.
But the father of one of those killed wasn’t able to be at the memorial event as he was in hospital being treated for a serious medical condition.
Real Stories caught up with Graham Foulkes as he reflected on life, loss and love from his hospital bed.
On the day of the 2005 attacks Graham’s son, David, had gone to London for a job interview. That was the last time his father would see the 22 year old alive…
Over the past 10 years Graham has become involved with a charitable organisation called the Foundation For Peace, working with disaffected and disenfranchised youths who have been attracted to radicalism.
The charity engages with these young people on projects to try and overcome radicalisation that goes on online.
A few months ago Graham was out walking with his wife Janet when he suffered a heart attack. Graham had to have 5 Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts (CABG) and is now currently recovering.
Graham and his wife, Janet, are determined that their son’s death shouldn’t be in vain.
Meet the Saccone-Jolys
Jonathan and Anna Saccone-Joly could be any other professional couple with a young family, a pack of cute dogs and a lovely house in Surrey’s commuter belt… Only these guys are a 21st Century YouTube sensation!
Every day - for the past five years - the Saccone-Jolys have posted a video blog online detailing their family life; everything from shopping trips, to holidays to the birth of their children. And they now have over one million subscribers.
And it’s extremely lucrative, so much so that this daily real-life show is now their job. Every morning Jonathan spends a couple of hours editing the previous day’s footage, then starts filming for the next day, finally posting an episode at 6pm.
The Saccone-Joly journey has not been without its troubles, however.
Since their earliest days on YouTube they’ve received hate mail. It’s escalated to having their car keyed, abuse in the street and even internet trolls wishing their baby stillborn. But for the Saccone-Jolys the positives far outweigh the negatives, and they have no intention of giving up any time soon.