Disabled kids show host draws criticism, praise

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 12:30pm

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

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 6.

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."

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

[StockardFan]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 12:40pm

I saw this the other day. What is wrong with these parents?

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 12:42pm

Seriously?

As long as she's not Captain Hook, I don't see why it's a problem. Kids are going to be exposed to people with disabilities in real life all the time, if not in their school. There was a teacher at my middle school who had one arm, and no one thought anything of it (also, he was cute...)

Updated On: 3/1/09 at 12:42 PM

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 12:43pm

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

Disabilities aren't an "adult" concept. Not like ecstacy or Broadway tours of Xanadu.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 5:35pm

This thread's subject line should read:

Kids' show host with a disability draws criticism, praise

People first language!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 5:41pm

Reading the comments is even more disturbing. There is one parent who argues that this just another "social issue" that "the media is ramming down our kids' throats."


The nerve!?!?! Having to talk to your child about how some people are born with a disability, but that it doesn't hamper their opportunities for success.

Do you think these people get annoyed when Sesame Street shows a child in a wheel chair?

[StockardFan]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 6:00pm

Well it might distress their children, adam.

*rolls eyes*

I think it's wonderful that she's on a kids show and it will open a dialogue about disabilities between parents and their children.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 7:10pm

Take it up with the writer of the article, JohnBoy2.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 8:02pm

The writer of the article didn't creat this thread.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 3/1/09 at 8:06pm

I tend to leave articles the way they are and let people react to them when I post them on here.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/2/09 at 3:49am

See? We Americans DON'T actually hold the deed to stupidity!

[DefyingEDCT]

Posted: 3/2/09 at 8:17am

dramamama, I bet if a host with one arm was put on TV in America, the exact same thing would have happened. Its not stupidity, its lack of respect, and understanding, and sadly thats not limited to only the UK..

[Q]

Posted: 3/2/09 at 9:53am

JohnBoy - the thread title is exactly the same as the title of the linked article.

The article and attendent comments are disturbing.

[Out In The Sticks]

Posted: 3/2/09 at 10:02am

My grandchildren watch this channel and do not mention this presenter, they just accept her. This channel also shows the Tellytubbies and Balamory which have filmed segments that regularly have children with disabilities on and in the case of Balamory a woman in a wheelchair. This is the same channel that has Justin and Mr tumbles who sign everything and another show that has a character called Rudy who is obviously blind (but no mention is made of it). CBeebies is an excellent channel with no adverts and lots of educational programmes just for young children and it broadcasts from 6am to 7pm, I am sure that you would love it in America.

[tazber]

Posted: 3/2/09 at 10:03am

They should really count their blessings, she could have been gay, black, and disabled.

Try to explain that to a child.