Hello!

19 Comments

A UK father has been forced to defend his teenage daughter, who has Down Syndrome, after trolls mocked a video that he posted of her online.

UK father Neil Markham has been forced to defend his sixteen-year-old daughter Ella, who has Down Syndrome, after online trolls ridiculed her in the comments of a video he posted on Twitter. Neil had taken Ella to watch a premier league match and had taken a video of her dancing in her Tottenham Spurs gear after the game which he posted to the popular social media site.

Out Of Line

The video shows Ella dancing along to live music in the stadium alongside the caption “the result is never the most important thing…” and was shared to Neil’s Twitter account where it went viral. Unfortunately, as with many viral videos, the trolls weren’t far away. Just hours after posting the video, Neil was forced to share another post defending his daughter. “This is Ella. I’m not asking you to say how beautiful she is or for you to like the post,” he wrote. “All I really want after tonight is to treat her as a normal person who would smile at you and doesn’t deserve to have fun poked at her.”

 

daddefends

A Show Of Support

Comments on Neil’s post applauded him for putting the trolls in their place. “Some of the abuse directed at Neil and his daughter is sickening,” wrote one outraged Twitter user. “Do you realise what you are saying?” a comment directed at the trolls read. “Try to behave with more class in the future.” Despite the show of support, Neil says he still regrets sharing the video. “I posted a video of my daughter enjoying herself. Since then she has been a figure of fun and ridicule to some. Not what I joined Twitter for. Maybe it’s not for me.”

Do you think trolls should be held accountable for the comments they make online? Share your thoughts in the comments!

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
  • Trolls should totally be accountable for their comments as it is not victimless and they intend to cause pain.

    Reply

  • Some people are just heartless and some pick on others because they feel bad about themselves and feel bringing someone else down makes them feel better. It shouldn’t happen to anyone.

    Reply

  • There is no excuse for nastiness in real life or online.

    Reply

  • Unfortunately some like to pick on others who may find it hard to defend themselves. Downs Syndrome people are usually very intelligent. Their talents have to be found and encouraged.

    Reply

  • Why would anyone ridicule her? I just do not get it. Mean acts, trolling and ugly behaviour is unacceptable in a civilised society and indeed people should be held accountable.

    Reply

  • Of course they should be held accountable. It’s too easy to make nasty comments from behind a screen!!

    Reply

  • Horrible people, good on the Dad for speaking up. These people need to be made an example of

    Reply

  • Sadly, if you’re putting yourself out there on the World Wide Web, you’re opening yourself up to a world of abuse. Yes, it’s disgusting and disgraceful and it hurts……..but you gotta realise it’s a very real possibility when you post anything on social media. On ya dad for defending your daughter, I doubt the trolls have a conscience to reach though


    • Yes, you make a good point, trolls may not have a conscience



      • There should be a code of conduct for online behaviour like with most other areas.

    Reply

  • Yes, trolls should absolutely held responsible for the comments they make online. Having a daughter with Down Syndrome myself I understand how hurtful such comments can be. To this dad I would like to say, thanks for sharing this and don’t regret that you posted this video of your precious beloved daughter. She can teach the trolls and all of us a lot about loving life ! she may be humiliated and be undignified in the trolls eyes, but I hold her in honor and I’m sure my daughter would jump up to her, hug her and dance along (and to be honest I might join too).

    Reply

  • What sort of person do you have to be to troll a dad who is proud of his daughter for having fun?

    Reply

  • good for you dad!

    Reply

  • Good on him. People can be so hurtful

    Reply

  • 100%! Good on him. It is just not on to bully anyone. I was bullied throughout all my school years and I just won’t stand for that behaviour.

    Reply

  • The dad love his beautiful daughter and was proud to post it,shame the horrible trolls are ruining his moment.

    Reply

  • I really don’t understand trolls. Meanness for it’s own sake.

    Reply

Post a comment
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your comment and join MoM:

You May Like

Loading…

Looks like this may be blocked by your browser or content filtering.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join