The stars of 22 Kids & Counting have hit back at fans who told their 18-year-old son Josh to “get a job” after a terrifying health battle left him housebound
Sue and Noel Radford, the stars of 22 Kids & Counting, have told fans to “think before you comment” after their son, Josh, was told to get a job. Josh recently opened up about his battle with panic attacks that have left him housebound.
Earlier this month, Josh opened up on an episode of his family’s TV show and shared that he had been diagnosed with agoraphobia. Some fans were not very supportive after hearing this and told the 18-year-old to “get a job”. One wrote on Facebook: “Josh, get a job wakey wakey.”
Following this, his parents took to Instagram to hit back at fans. They said: “We’ve seen a few comments like this telling Josh to ‘just get a job’.
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“These comments are really not helpful and there’s been a few. I don’t think these sad few people realise just how debilitating anxiety and agoraphobia is and I tell you what Josh would absolutely love to be in a place where he felt he was able to go to work but for now it’s little steps in the right direction, like going to the gym the other day.”
They reminded people to be kind and said that “anxiety isn’t a choice”. They continued: “Mental health isn’t laziness. Anxiety isn’t a choice. We’re incredibly proud of the steps he’s taking. Progress looks different for everyone and kindness matters. Please think before you comment, you never know what someone is facing behind the scenes and Josh reads the comments.”
This time, the parents’ post received a lot more support. One fan wrote: “Josh should be proud of himself. He will also be helping so many other young people know that they are not alone in feeling the same way.”
Another said: “Mental health challenges affect millions of people and only inconsiderate and insensitive people don’t understand this.” While a third said: “My son has exactly the same it’s nothing to be ashamed of shame on these people saying those things big hugs to you all.”
On the show, Josh explained that he wasn’t sure where the panic attacks came from. “I’m not fully sure what happened. Out of nowhere, it just hit me.
“I couldn’t really see, tight chest, feeling of not getting enough oxygen. It was a straight up panic attack. It’s a fear I’ve never experienced before.”
He added: “It definitely has taken over my life. There’s not really anything I can do anymore. The anxiety, I didn’t expect to have. I didn’t even know it existed.”
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder in which a person experiences intense fear and therefore avoids situations where escaping them seems difficult. As such, many with agoraphobia avoid crowds and often struggle to leave their homes.
If you are struggling with mental health, you can speak to a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity on 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk
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