Defying the Label

Episode Synopsis

Just because you’re disabled, it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, and if you’re disabled and in your 20s, that probably means going out, getting drunk and getting lucky, going to pubs, music festivals or football matches, or going on holiday abroad. The truth is, you might not be able to do any of this without one important person – your carer, or personal assistant, as they are often referred to by the people employing them. There are thousands of young disabled people in the UK who rely on carers for their daily needs, so finding the right carer means absolutely everything. This brand-new series takes a group young people who have never considered caring for the disabled before and invites them to an interview for a Personal Assistant job. What they don’t know is that their potential new boss is a disabled person their age and for 10 days, nothing is off limits as these new PAs tackle all aspects of intimate personal care, including washing, dressing, showering and toileting - they embark on life-changing adventures with their new boss. Will seeing the world from a different point of view help break down preconceptions of disability and unemployment? Could tackling challenging shared experiences lead to lasting friendships and even a rewarding new career? In part one, Michael's carer Denny Lee struggles with Michael's care needs, especially bowel management, Josh's carer Francesca battles with Josh's crude humour and his love of boozing, and Jasmine's carer Emily tackles the intimate personal care with aplomb - but fails dramatically on the domestic chores front.