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Recording Starfish on location in Hampshire Summer 2009
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The Play
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When Michael is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, should his father allow the use of untested drugs, if there is a chance that it may save him? For Shannon, struggling with Social Phobia, should her reservations and fears be put to one side, and should she take the plunge to help other people with conditions like hers?
'Starfish', set in the familiar environment of a small town, lays bare the concerns and considerations surrounding clinical trials. By interweaving the stories of Shannon, and her teacher, Michael, Judith Johnson takes two very different illnesses and looks at the possibilities
available to them both.
Episode 1
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Adrian meets Saira in the graveyard whilst she is tending her father’s grave. She has just moved back to the small Northern town she grew up in to take up the post of GP, a post previously occupied by her father. Saira used to go to school with Adrian's son Michael, who is now a teacher at the local sixth form college.
Shannon, one of Michael’s students, suffers from ‘social phobia’, otherwise known as extreme shyness. She finds it hard to come to college and take part alongside the other students, but she is a talented artist and, with Michael’s gentle help, she is working towards her A Level.
Saira’s first patient is Shannon, who comes to the surgery to find out about a treatment for ‘social phobia’. Saira finds it hard to deal with Shannon’s shyness and ends up scaring her away.
Michael confesses to Adrian he is feeling tired and stressed, Adrian convinces Michael to go to see his doctor, Saira.
Episode 2
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Shannon starts accessing an online virtual world, 'Second Life', which was recommended to her by Michael.
Michael goes to see Saira about his symptoms and she sends him for some tests. They also agree to meet him for coffee and catch up.
Episode 3
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As Michael’s systems continue to get worse, Shannon goes to visit Michael. She can see that he is disorientated but doesn't realise he is seriously ill. Michael is upset by Shannon's visit. He leaves his house and injures himself.
Meanwhile, in Second Life, Shannon gains confidence in the virtual world which is helping her in the real world.
Michael's condition continues to deteriorate rapidly, but Saira and Adrian are unable to find a diagnosis.
Episode 4
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Shannon is able to re-visit Saira and together they explore the option of Shannon taking part in the testing of treatments for ‘social phobia’.
Michael’s illness continues to develop at an alarming rate. He is finally diagnosed with Variant CJD, an incurable and rapidly degenerative illness. Desperate, Adrian finds out about an untrialled treatment on the Internet. But should he put his son through something that has never been properly tested?
Shannon returns again to see Saira. Does she have the confidence now to go forward and participate in a clinical trial?