BellaOnline Forums Family Special Needs Children People with disabilities should not be on TV?

Should people with disabilities be on TV, or grow up included in mainstream classrooms, if they make parents of mainstream children 'uncomfortable'?

BBC host is proud of debate her disability prompted


Photo exhibit introduces the people behind the diagnosis


Two steps forward, five steps back.

Pam W
SE of Seattle

Seeing People with Disabilities in the Media

Down Syndrome and the Acting Gene

How horrible!

I do notice in the case of the child with Down's Syndrome it is the parents that are uncomfortable - not the children at all!

And if the parents of the other children would bother to explain to their little ones, then they wouldn't be frightened either!

Kids need to learn that there are all sorts of differences in the world. If we got rid of everyone on tv or in the classroom that was different - then we would be back to square one with segregated classrooms, and white and black water fountains!

We teach about differences, we don't hide them.

My son was in a special ed class that mixed with regular ed kindergartners. He loved when they visited and they loved him! His teacher told me that all the kids fought over who got to sit next to him and play with him.

Then, when we went to an open house, we sat at some tables to eat the fundraiser pizza dinner. A little boy said aloud, "HEY! There's my friend! There's Alex!" And he wanted to show his parents our child. We were so touched. But the parents looked VERY uncomfortable and refused to look at us. It was so so sad.

Children are taught to feel uncomfortable about differences and disabilities from the adults in their lives.

Once, a kid in a store said, "Hey, what's wrong with him? He has a big head." And his mom was mortified. I was glad he was being honest and I simply explained about his health differences. I was not offended at all. Kids are honest and pure. Like Michelle said, we should TEACH differences, not hide them.

I love shows where they employ special actors. They should be a part of our everyday lives, for pete's sake.

It really is a shame that the parents who are complaining did not have the opportunity to grow up with their own peers who had disabilities. And of course they may only be passing along the prejudices and misconceptions of their own parents.

So many of our 'mainstream' children feel that they are so unlike their classmates that they have to hide their 'differences' - and I wonder how they can grow up to have authentic relationships as adults.

Pam W
SE of Seattle

Inclusion Benefits Classmates

Advocating in Multcultural Communities

Especially when they are used in "non-special" roles.

Like on "Las Vegas" - the actor Mitch Longley (Oy - this man is gorgeous!), who is actually a paraplegic. The role is not about him being in a wheelchair. He is one of the security people that watches the casino from their central security room (computers and moniters) and he happens to be in a wheelchair. That kind of role is the type that shows our kids that just because a person has something different about them, doesn't mean they can't do things just like everyone else.

I couldn't remember his last name, so I went on IMDB to look it up and wound up looking up his bio on Yahoo. He was a model for Ralph Lauren after his accident. As a matter of fact, his entire modeling and acting career came about after he became a paraplegic.

A Face to Remember This article was written about him in 1991, so is a little out of date - but tells how he got started.

Yeow-za!

Exactly

Who's going to argue that HE shouldn't be on TV because of his disability?

This is really a shame! Children naturally love other children; they are color blind too! Too bad parents cannot realize that this world is made up of so many wonderful people disabled or not!
To teach differences at an early age is a good thing, children can grow into loving and accepting adults. Too bad those people missed the boat, their lives would've been enriched ten-fold!

Mary Caliendo
Tea

So true!

I caught a re-run of a show (I just looked it up: Trading Spouses - the moms were Judy L and Julie C) and the tragically self-centered and insensitive gal (Julie) felt she had to spout off about what she would do if her baby was prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome. That comment, among others, was mentioned at a dinner party where one of the women had a wonderful child with Down syndrome who of course the other dinner guests knew and appreciated, as they were all friends of the warm and compassionate family.

My son (who was born with DS) walked in just in time to hear a couple of the comments and decided to watch TV in the other room for the rest of the evening. I wish that the show's editors had included any comments defending or extolling the virtues of the child with DS. I know that I am sometimes speechless when even well-meaning people choose to tell me their strong (negative) opinions about prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome, but surely there was something positive that was said at that dinner table.

I don't think anyone reached out to the hateful woman with kindness or compassion (not that I would probably have found it within me, either) but it would have been helpful for viewers who agree with the unpleasant woman's opinions to have found one person who had great enough compassion to attempt to kindly educate her, and them.

Not that anything short of including children or adults with Down syndrome in television shows and movies would probably work to demonstrate their individuality and potential - but as family members and friends surely there are ways we can reach out to those who don't know any better.

I had noticed that the unpleasant mom and her hubby called their own daughters names and were shockingly over-critical of them. Maybe this episode served to remind lots of mainstream parents that they can build better relationships with their kids by foregoing humilation and rough language. I have to admit, I only watched it briefly, but hoped for the best. Sometimes it's best to show people who are proud of their unpleasant opinions so open discussion follows. I believe that children with Down syndrome are born into all kinds of families, and few are immune to the positive changes in attitudes and behavior that being passionately committed to a child with special needs can cause.

I do much prefer media stories like:

Student wins MLK award for speech on disability rights


Pam W
SE of Seattle

Welcoming Babies with Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32534.asp

OK Michelle and all, here's a challenge for you.

Buy this DVD from Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Schubert-Winterrei...2539&sr=1-2

I'm not going to say why it's a challenge to watch, but it IS incredibly moving. And it's one of the great recordings of Schubert's song cycle Winterreise. (puts on the Must Review list - my father has the DVD LOL - I have to check with him now before I buy things because half the time I buy things he's already got!!).

Thomas Quasthoff also has written an autobiography:

The Voice - A Memoir, and has recorded many CDs, including The Voice, featuring songs from multiple composers. I was surprised so many MP3 songs were available too - guess I really have to catch up with technology sometime!

There is an article I enjoyed at Scena about him, Thomas Quasthoff - A Wonderfully Vocal Minority.

Thank you, Gillian!

Pam W
SE of Seattle

Yes that is EXACTLY what I meant. Quasthoff has been on Sky Arts several times now with his recording of Winterreise, which is why I felt he was appropriate to bring to editors' attention here.

Remaining on topic, but changing the discussion: One of the contestants on American Idol this year is nearly totally blind. I'd watched the pre-contest set up (Audition segments) and wasn't even aware of it. He has a personal assistant of some sort who aids him getting on stage, etc, but during the 'dance' numbers whichever other contestant who is near him guides his positioning.

Not only SHOULD he be on TV, but I find it un-remarkable.

Excellent observation!

Pam W
SE of Seattle