Jai and Megan struggle with the news that their daughter, Eliza, has cerebral palsy
Emmerdale parents Jai and Megan have become increasingly worried about their daughter’s health and next week Jai is sent into a panic when the little girl suddenly suffers another seizure while in his care.
The fearful parents have been on egg-shells since Eliza recently suffered a seizure when Leyla and Priya were babysitting her, and next week a scared Jai struggles to cope when the little girl has another one.
Jai is left holding the baby, literally, when Megan goes off on a spa date but when Eliza suddenly starts fitting, the terrified dad is in a blind panic and calls for an ambulance.
“He’s traumatized by seeing the fit”, says Chris Bisson who plays the factory boss. “He freezes and doesn’t know what to do, and that scares the life out of him because he gets this overwhelming parent panic and feels he’s not up to the job of looking after her.”
Meanwhile, when Megan learns what’s happened she is alarmed but has a much more pragmatic approach. Gaynor Faye who plays the feisty mum says, “Eliza’s fits are a shock for both of them, but Megan decides to be the strong one, and digs deep inside herself to encourage Jai.”
It’s Megan, who suffered a traumatic birth with Eliza when she went into labour in the woods, who holds things together when the couple, who are separated, are told that it’s almost certain their child is suffering from cerebral palsy.
“Megan is very positive and wants to seek support, which is crucial for people who have children with any sort of physical illness”, says Gaynor.
However, Jai’s approach could not be more different and next week sees him struggle to accept the severity of Eliza’s condition. “There’s a bit of confrontation between Megan and Jai because Megan is pressing the doctor to make a diagnosis, while Jai is very much backing off from that”, explains Chris.
What does the future hold for Eliza and will her serious health issues bring Megan and Jai closer together, or will they drive them even further apart?
Do you think Jai will cope or crack? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter
**READ MORE STORIES HERE **