I think this is giving parents the awesome opportunity to open a dialogue about disabilities in the privacy of their own homes, and the person WITH the disability that is starting the conversation in safely on the television out of earshot. Having this conversation now will save you the pain of having it later in public after your child has yelled "LOOK MOMMY! THAT GUY HAS NO LEGS!" and everyone looks at you and your child like you're a couple of uncouth beasts.
The people that don't want to talk about this with their kids are either lazy, uptight, or honestly just don't know how to communicate with their child about "uncomfortable" subjects. Good luck later on when they ask "Mom, what's sex?"
By Lateef MunginCNN
(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.
However, there have also been messages of support for Burnell. What do you think about the complaints?
"We have also received 99 appreciations of her," Mira said.
Burnell started as a presenter of the shows in late January after acting with theater companies in Manchester, England, and Brazil.
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.
The issue has spurred a debate in England among newspapers, columnists and bloggers.
Burnell said she has heard the criticism and will not let it bother her.
'It can only be a good thing that parents are using me as a chance to talk disability with their children. It just goes to show how important it is to have positive, disabled role models on CBeebies and television in general," Burnell said.
Michael Carrington, BBC controller of CBeebies, said the company is standing by Burnell.
"Cerrie is warm and natural and we think that, in time, all moms and dads and children will love her as much as we do," Carrington said.
(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.
However, there have also been messages of support for Burnell. What do you think about the complaints?
"We have also received 99 appreciations of her," Mira said.
Burnell started as a presenter of the shows in late January after acting with theater companies in Manchester, England, and Brazil.
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.
The issue has spurred a debate in England among newspapers, columnists and bloggers.
Burnell said she has heard the criticism and will not let it bother her.
'It can only be a good thing that parents are using me as a chance to talk disability with their children. It just goes to show how important it is to have positive, disabled role models on CBeebies and television in general," Burnell said.
Michael Carrington, BBC controller of CBeebies, said the company is standing by Burnell.
"Cerrie is warm and natural and we think that, in time, all moms and dads and children will love her as much as we do," Carrington said.
4 comments:
I read this, too. I have no issues with it. The sooner a dialogue between parents and child can being regarding differences, the better.
In my opinion.
I think it's crazy/selfish/ignorant that people are complaining that she's "too scary." Have better parenting skills - teach your children that you can live a normal life with a disability.
Are you kidding me? Seriously? Parents are criticizing her disability? "forced to have a conversation about disabilities". I cannot believe something as ridiculous as this!
"a father lamented that Burnell being on the show forced him to have conversations with his child about disabilities."
Horrible. It disgusts me that people are even making an issue of this and when should we be "FORCED" to have conversations with our children, especially with something like this. ugh
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