And also, why shouldn't parents take this opportunity to teach their
children that PWDs can host TV shows as well as the most
plastic-looking hosts? Methinks children are growing up too cushioned
from the realities of life.

Bah.

Kat

On Sat, Feb 28, 2009 at 8:31 PM, Kathleen Salkin <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Oh yeah I've read about this - what idiots.
>
> Kat
>
> On Sat, Feb 28, 2009 at 8:23 PM, Meir Weiss <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/02/28/bbc.disabled.host/index.html
>>
>> Disabled kids show host draws criticism, praiseStory Highlights
>> BBC says it is receiving complaints about TV host Cerrie Burnell
>>
>> Some say Burnell, who was born with one hand, is scaring children
>>
>> Burnell says she won't let criticism bother her
>>
>> Next Article in World >
>>
>>
>>
>> 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 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 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.
>>
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