Parents complain that disabled TV host is scaring their children

[Liberal_in_LA]

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: Haven't these parents heard of a 'teachable moment'.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/02/28/bbc.disabled.host/index.html

Disabled kids show host draws criticism, praise

By Lateef Mungin
CNN

(CNN) -- A children's show host who was born with one hand is facing criticism from parents over her disability.


The BBC is receiving complaints about kids show host Cerrie Burnell, who was only born with one hand.

BBC spokeswoman Katya Mira said the corporation has received at least 25 "official" complaints recently about Cerrie Burnell, new host of two shows on the BBC-run CBeebies television network, which is aimed at children younger than six.

The official complaints do not count the dozens of negative comments lodged in Internet chat rooms, Mira said.

In one chat room, a father lamented that Burnell being on the show forced him to have conversations with his child about disabilities.

However, there have also been messages of support for Burnell.

"We have also received 99 appreciations of her," Mira said.

-------------------

A BBC news release in January introducing Burnell made no mention of her disability, but a publicity photo showed the right sleeve of her sweater pulled up, showing her arm stops just below her elbow.

[Withywindle]

1. This just outrages me.

"In one chat room, a father lamented that Burnell being on the show forced him to have conversations with his child about disabilities."

"Lamented"?


I think I figured out why it enrages me so much. A really good friend of mine had a son who was born with a hand that's not quite fully formed. He's a wonderful kid and isn't exactly "disabled" in the sense that it sure doesn't stop him from doing much. What would these overly-sheltered bubble-child parents do if he were their kids' classmate? Pull their kids out of school? Not let them be friends with him? Tell their kids that "deformed" people are scary and icky and they shouldn't have to look at them?

[EraOfResponsibility]

3. damn that one armed lady for forcing me to have to TALK TO MY CHILD!

Does she not know I have BETTER THINGS TO DO????

:eyes:

[Unsane]

2. Get over it idiots.

[Patchuli]

4. Those parents are ignorant asshats!

Teaching kids about disabilities is something to "lament?" What an idiot.

[Webster Green]

5. WTF?!

The idiots should change the channel if they can't stand reality. :crazy:

[Jamastiene]

6. There is just no end to the hatred in this world, is there?

That just sickens me.

[ConcernedCanuk]

11. Unfortunately - you are correct

.
.
.

There is just no end to the hatred in this world

(sigh)

[Skittles]

7. this seems utterly ridiculous

that gal is an inspiration and a perfect opportunity for parents to teach their kids about disabilities and perseverance - do we need to wonder why there are so many fucked up kids in this world?

[Journeyman]

8. YouTube has interview videos up with Cerrie Burnell . . .

in which she discusses the ongoing situation and receives substantial support from far more parents than those who registered complaints. There are clips from the show as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK61ssge600

[Triana]

9. well the complainers are whiny, lazy-ass parents who'll teach their kids

by default to reject anyone "different" than them by NOT teaching them about disabilities and differences. How f*cking stupid. This is how prejudice, bigotry, and bullying are developed.

Instead of 'protecting' their kids from the sight of a disabled person, they ought to be TEACHING their kids about disabled persons instead. But they're too lazy to do that - easier to just complain, I guess.

Ugh. These are the idiot people who should have NEVER had kids.

[Baikonour]

10. I guess TVs don't come with remotes anymore.

Since parents evidently don't know how to CHANGE THE CHANNEL.

[ProfessorGAC]

16. It's That Damned One Channel Cable System

The whole country only has the one channel, don't you know. :sarcasm:
GAC

[Lost in CT]

24. That was the truth in England not that long ago...

Worst television ever... worse than Mexico's.

[4lbs]

12. Here in San Diego during the 1980s and part of the 1990s, we had a local news anchor

called Bree Walker that was born with two undeveloped hands.

She was married to Jim Lampley (of HBO Boxing) for a while.

I don't think anyone in San Diego complained about it. At least I can't recall of any.

[Drunken Irishman]

14. Too bad Bree Walker butchered her face and now looks like a mess.

:/

[Liberal_in_LA]

17. Earlier in her career she used fake hands during the telecast, then began using her

real hands. She was in LA after San Diego. Then started getting all that plastic surgery (on her face)

[Prometheus Bound]

13. But four times more appreciations than complaints.

Perhaps that should be the headline.

[midnight]

15. In the olden days these people who were physically or mentally

different were institutionalized. Can you imagine allowing your child to think that this women's missing arm gives them the right to treat her like she is not telegenic enough. Parents are missing a teaching moment-too bad!

[Realityhack]

18. WTF?!

What a bunch of lousy parents.
If you kid is scared by someone with a disability... fix the problem by talking to them about people with disabilities etc. and look at your own parenting skills... don't bitch at the BBC for putting her on TV.

[ck4829]

19. Yep, let's just keep disabled people isolated away from everyone else

That'll make everything better, right?

[Mudoria]

20. Dumbass Europeans

[Realityhack]

21. Like we would be better?

They did get far more complements.

How about just dumbass people.

[Ioo]

22. Another good link - This story penned by a disabled person, good read

http://ablegamers.com/general-news/435-disabled-woman-removed.html

[muriel_volestrangler]

23. "Satan Makes Room for Parents who Complained About Disabled TV Presenter"

PARENTS who complained about a one-armed childrens' TV presenter will have their own very special corner of Hell, Satan confirmed last night.

Lucifers minions are sweeping out a disused basement room that will be kitted out to look like the Teletubbies house and then filled ankle deep with a corrosive mixture of children's vomit, gerbil excrement and out of date Sunny Delight.
...
Bill McKay, a parent from Northampton, said: "I turned on the Bedtime Hour expecting to see it hosted by some incredibly hot babe with a dodgy past in home-made pornography.

"Instead I got something that made my children cry and failed to give me an erection.

"I suppose this was a perfect opportunity to talk to my children about disability but I felt it would be more useful to email the BBC and try to put an end to this young woman's career."

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/satan-makes-room-for-parents-who-complained-about-disabled-tv-presenter-200902241599

[Berry Cool]

26. BWAHAHAHAHA!

Perfect retort to that idiot saying this young woman "forced" him to have a conversation with his child about disabilities.

Sheesh. If you didn't want to have to talk to your kids about difficult subjects, why'd you have them? Did you think parenting was all sweetness and light? Did you think you'd never have to broach a topic with them until you were "ready"? Welcome to the real world.

[Darth_Kitten]

25. Parents, some of your kids scare me.

:eyes: