Comments on: Surviving Gazza http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2009/01/05/surviving-gazza/ Just another Channel 4 Blogs weblog Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:42:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jane http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2009/01/05/surviving-gazza/comment-page-1/#comment-1556 Jane Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:14:43 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=635#comment-1556 I was really moved by this documentary and can understand to a certain level what the family is going through. Mason is so lovely a really nice person, don't give up on your dad, like you said he is just lost but he will find you. Have hope. As for the family I wish you all to be happy, and for Paul to aswell. It is not nice what some people say but ignore it and listen to your family and be there for themm which is what you are all doing. A remarkable documentary, thank you. I was really moved by this documentary and can understand to a certain level what the family is going through. Mason is so lovely a really nice person, don’t give up on your dad, like you said he is just lost but he will find you. Have hope. As for the family I wish you all to be happy, and for Paul to aswell. It is not nice what some people say but ignore it and listen to your family and be there for themm which is what you are all doing. A remarkable documentary, thank you.

]]> By: Geordie lass http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2009/01/05/surviving-gazza/comment-page-1/#comment-1403 Geordie lass Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:13:24 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=635#comment-1403 Unfortunately this country is full of families like the one shown; but somehow the help offered to Gazza's family seems unobtainable to most of us. I was probably one of tens of thousands watching who recognised from their own family life every bit of hope, despair, manipulation, that bloody endless ringing phone, the fear of what response is waiting, the wasted money, the emotional nightmare of having someone you love, someone who really is nice underneath the illness and you want to save. Ordinary families have continual problems of bailiffs, police visits, missing money and frequent threats of suicide too. It becomes even harder when some of the family recognise the need to walk away but others keep on with their quest to "save" (and usually without boundaries) and thus keep those who want to go continually caught in the trap. If only the addiction counselling support was available nationwide, if only the Government and alcohol retailers understood the alcoholics do not exist in a vacuum and act accordingly, life would get better for many more than just the helpless souls afflicted by this illness. Hopefully the decision of Gazza and his family to take part in this documentary will help others to see and understand what happens behind closed doors. Unfortunately this country is full of families like the one shown; but somehow the help offered to Gazza’s family seems unobtainable to most of us. I was probably one of tens of thousands watching who recognised from their own family life every bit of hope, despair, manipulation, that bloody endless ringing phone, the fear of what response is waiting, the wasted money, the emotional nightmare of having someone you love, someone who really is nice underneath the illness and you want to save. Ordinary families have continual problems of bailiffs, police visits, missing money and frequent threats of suicide too. It becomes even harder when some of the family recognise the need to walk away but others keep on with their quest to “save” (and usually without boundaries) and thus keep those who want to go continually caught in the trap. If only the addiction counselling support was available nationwide, if only the Government and alcohol retailers understood the alcoholics do not exist in a vacuum and act accordingly, life would get better for many more than just the helpless souls afflicted by this illness. Hopefully the decision of Gazza and his family to take part in this documentary will help others to see and understand what happens behind closed doors.

]]> By: ali bruce http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2009/01/05/surviving-gazza/comment-page-1/#comment-1351 ali bruce Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:20:59 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=635#comment-1351 I feel that I have to reply to this as a recovering alkie(?} myself. I have been sober for over 3 years a day at a time, and I feel she has no right to downcry something she knows nothing about. I am 37 with a 19 year old son who has witnessed things he should not have, but thankfully I was givin the chance (because it is an ILLNESS, and thankfully they seen that), to make things right. I would also like to say that my father was an alcoholic, and although times were hard sometimes, we all stuck together and he also recovered from this TERRIBLE illness. so I have seen it from both sides and although I do not agree with what she has to say, I admire her honesty. Alcoholics do not have a say when the compulsion for a drink overwhelms them,what seems logic to other people, for some reason does not aply to us. Do people really think that what I put my son through was meant? I ask u, please, consider this. To finish off, I work very hard now, pay my way and have a loving son and family who respect me as much as I respect them (and a lot more). please do not judge people unless you have walked in there shoes. (ps - as a nurse, you should know better) PEOPLE WITH A DRINK PROBLEM DO NOT WISH THIS ON ANY ONE, LEAST OF ALL THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM . I feel that I have to reply to this as a recovering alkie(?} myself. I have been sober for over 3 years a day at a time, and I feel she has no right to downcry something she knows nothing about. I am 37 with a 19 year old son who has witnessed things he should not have, but thankfully I was givin the chance (because it is an ILLNESS, and thankfully they seen that), to make things right. I would also like to say that my father was an alcoholic, and although times were hard sometimes, we all stuck together and he also recovered from this TERRIBLE illness. so I have seen it from both sides and although I do not agree with what she has to say, I admire her honesty. Alcoholics do not have a say when the compulsion for a drink overwhelms them,what seems logic to other people, for some reason does not aply to us. Do people really think that what I put my son through was meant? I ask u, please, consider this. To finish off, I work very hard now, pay my way and have a loving son and family who respect me as much as I respect them (and a lot more). please do not judge people unless you have walked in there shoes. (ps – as a nurse, you should know better) PEOPLE WITH A DRINK PROBLEM DO NOT WISH THIS ON ANY ONE, LEAST OF ALL THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM .

]]> By: derek demaine http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2009/01/05/surviving-gazza/comment-page-1/#comment-1345 derek demaine Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:11:36 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=635#comment-1345 Question for dictionary corner: What is the origin of the word 'poltroon' meaning a spiritless coward? Question for dictionary corner:
What is the origin of the word ‘poltroon’ meaning a spiritless coward?

]]> By: Julie Stroud http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2009/01/05/surviving-gazza/comment-page-1/#comment-1341 Julie Stroud Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:45:26 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=635#comment-1341 I have just watched the programme I taped last week and it made me cry. What an amazing family to stick by him. Regan is wise beyond his 10 years. I find it increduble that Cheryl stll wants to help him after their divorce. She is obviously no WAG and this programme showed her in a different light. Many women would have run a mile from Paul and his problems. I hope he recovers and can appreciate the family who so clearly love him to pieces. There are no doubts thousands of Gazza's out there who do not have the love of a strong family like this behind them. I pray, and I am not religious, that he recovers. Please pass on my comments to his family, they are incredible. I have just watched the programme I taped last week and it made me cry. What an amazing family to stick by him. Regan is wise beyond his 10 years. I find it increduble that Cheryl stll wants to help him after their divorce. She is obviously no WAG and this programme showed her in a different light. Many women would have run a mile from Paul and his problems.
I hope he recovers and can appreciate the family who so clearly love him to pieces. There are no doubts thousands of Gazza’s out there who do not have the love of a strong family like this behind them. I pray, and I am not religious, that he recovers.
Please pass on my comments to his family, they are incredible.

]]> By: Julie Stroud http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2009/01/05/surviving-gazza/comment-page-1/#comment-1339 Julie Stroud Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:34:48 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=635#comment-1339 I have just watched the documentary I taped last week. What a amazing family. My heart really goes out to them. Ten year old Regan is wise beyond his years. The fact that Cheryl and Gazza were divorced 10 years ago and she and her family are still trying their hardest to help Paul is testament to her love. The whole family obviously still love him to pieces. It made me cry. There are probably alot of Gazza's out there who don't have the support of such a loving family. I hope it ends in a happy ending for everyone. Cheryl is clearly no WAG and just wants the best for Paul and her kids. You read so much in the Press but to see the other side of the story is a real eye opener. Please pass my comments onto the Family, I think they are all amazing. Many people would have given up by now. Hang in there, your love will see him through. xxxxxxxx I have just watched the documentary I taped last week. What a amazing family. My heart really goes out to them. Ten year old Regan is wise beyond his years. The fact that Cheryl and Gazza were divorced 10 years ago and she and her family are still trying their hardest to help Paul is testament to her love. The whole family obviously still love him to pieces. It made me cry. There are probably alot of Gazza’s out there who don’t have the support of such a loving family. I hope it ends in a happy ending for everyone.
Cheryl is clearly no WAG and just wants the best for Paul and her kids.
You read so much in the Press but to see the other side of the story is a real eye opener.
Please pass my comments onto the Family, I think they are all amazing. Many people would have given up by now. Hang in there, your love will see him through.
xxxxxxxx

]]> By: SARA BROWN http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2009/01/05/surviving-gazza/comment-page-1/#comment-1319 SARA BROWN Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:08:26 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=635#comment-1319 The family seemed to genuinely care about a totally self-centred Gazza. I applaud all of them for trying. The family seemed to genuinely care about a totally self-centred Gazza. I applaud all of them for trying.

]]> By: Ann http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2009/01/05/surviving-gazza/comment-page-1/#comment-1215 Ann Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:07:01 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=635#comment-1215 i watched the surviving Gazza program last night on the recommendation of my son who had watched it on the 5th Jan, or whatever night it was first on. having lived with alcoholism for 26yrs of my life i only know too well what it does to the family, it destroys them mentally, and emotionally, you don,t live you exist. watching last night brought back a lot of painful memories, of when the alcholic in my life was in and out of rehab or therapy and whilst they are in this kind of environment they are cocooend from the rest of the world being treated as if they were children and being taught how to control their drinking. nothing is ever said to them on how they treat their families, as far as the rehabs and treatments centres are conserned famlies do not have a problem, in fact if i was to be honest they treat the famlies as 'the problem' . my 3 children were brought up with an alcholic father my son could relate to Manson the way he was thinking-feeling-worrying-and the pure anxiety that he was going through.Reagan bless him was the one that had the most sense, he knew and accepted that his father was a lost cause and wanted the family to get on with life, but sadly we do not listen enough to our young children, they see and hear much more that the adult realises. Who's idea was it to send Sheryl to see that Tracy the addiction counsellor i was shocked, what did she know about living with alcholism ok she may have some knowledge of addiction, but to suggest to the family that they should go over to Portugal and seek out Gazza & confront him was totally totally wrong. i would rather my children have a last living memory of their father walking out their front door than the memoies that they now have of a ranting raving lunatic in a hotel room, who showed them no respect or consideration for what they did in traveling over to Portugal. He didnt care, he never will, and that is the sad thing. He doesnt know how to live in the real world, only the world that he has created for himself, and he is as hell bent to getting to the end of his world as he is in getting to the end of the next vodka bottle. i noticed also that no one ever mentioned to Sheryl about Al-Anon who help families of alcholics. i went there and i know it is not easy at first but i kept with it, meeting people who are going through the same problems and knowing that you are not alone helps a lot. it gave me back my dignity - self esteem and respect, she can always look it up in the phone book if she ever wants too. i watched the surviving Gazza program last night on the recommendation of my son who had watched it on the 5th Jan, or whatever night it was first on. having lived with alcoholism for 26yrs of my life i only know too well what it does to the family, it destroys them mentally, and emotionally, you don,t live you exist. watching last night brought back a lot of painful memories, of when the alcholic in my life was in and out of rehab or therapy and whilst they are in this kind of environment they are cocooend from the rest of the world being treated as if they were children and being taught how to control their drinking. nothing is ever said to them on how they treat their families, as far as the rehabs and treatments centres are conserned famlies do not have a problem, in fact if i was to be honest they treat the famlies as ‘the problem’ . my 3 children were brought up with an alcholic father my son could relate to Manson the way he was thinking-feeling-worrying-and the pure anxiety that he was going through.Reagan bless him was the one that had the most sense, he knew and accepted that his father was a lost cause and wanted the family to get on with life, but sadly we do not listen enough to our young children, they see and hear much more that the adult realises. Who’s idea was it to send Sheryl to see that Tracy the addiction counsellor i was shocked, what did she know about living with alcholism ok she may have some knowledge of addiction, but to suggest to the family that they should go over to Portugal and seek out Gazza & confront him was totally totally wrong. i would rather my children have a last living memory of their father walking out their front door than the memoies that they now have of a ranting raving lunatic in a hotel room, who showed them no respect or consideration for what they did in traveling over to Portugal. He didnt care, he never will, and that is the sad thing. He doesnt know how to live in the real world, only the world that he has created for himself, and he is as hell bent to getting to the end of his world as he is in getting to the end of the next vodka bottle.

i noticed also that no one ever mentioned to Sheryl about Al-Anon who help families of alcholics. i went there and i know it is not easy at first but i kept with it, meeting people who are going through the same problems and knowing that you are not alone helps a lot. it gave me back my dignity – self esteem and respect, she can always look it up in the phone book if she ever wants too.

]]> By: trach http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2009/01/05/surviving-gazza/comment-page-1/#comment-1205 trach Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:17:01 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=635#comment-1205 i think you're wrong. he isn't a disgrace. he is sick.alcoholism is an illness not something done out of selfishness. drug addicts get more help. i feel so very sorry for them all and mason, bless him especially. i think you’re wrong. he isn’t a disgrace. he is sick.alcoholism is an illness not something done out of selfishness. drug addicts get more help. i feel so very sorry for them all and mason, bless him especially.

]]> By: G. Fenton http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/2009/01/05/surviving-gazza/comment-page-1/#comment-1201 G. Fenton Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:16:46 +0000 http://blogs.channel4.com/thetvshow/?p=635#comment-1201 I would like to congratulate Sheryl on bringing up such lovely, well grounded and articulate children despite the fact that she was married to an an abusive alcholic. I would like to congratulate Sheryl on bringing up such lovely, well grounded and articulate children despite the fact that she was married to an an abusive alcholic.

]]>