Disability Discrimination should be eradicated!

Disability charities have expressed anger after a number of parents complained that a one-armed children's TV presenter was frightening their kids. Skip related content
Related photos / videos One-Armed CBeebies Host 'Scaring' Children Cerrie Burnell, who was born with one arm, began co-presenting Cbeebies 'Do And Discover' slot with Alex Winters last month.

She has a broad range of success as an actor, both in the theatre and on television.

But parents on online forums have claimed she 'frightens' their children.

Poster Barry wrote: "Is it just me, or does anyone else think the new woman presenter on Cbeebies (Cerrie Burnell) may scare the kids because of her disability?

"I didn't want to let my children watch the filler bits on the bedtime hour last night because I know it would have played on my eldest daughter's mind and possibly caused sleep problems... and yes, this is a serious post."

Other posters suggest the BBC employed Miss Burnell to 'score points' and accused the channel of positive discrimination.

But the vast majority of comments have offered support to the presenter, who they describe as 'lovely' and 'talented'.

"As for Cerrie, I think her being 'disabled' ensures that children are exposed to 'different' people and situations," wrote 'Caligula' on the Digital Spy forum.

Sue Stokes, from the charity Reach, said they were appalled by the negative reaction.

"We are appalled that parents are talking on behalf of their children," she said.

"Children don't notice the differences. The parents need to think about how they would feel if it were their child born without an arm.

"It is great for children with disabilities to see people like them on the television."

A BBC spokesman said nine official complaints had been made about Miss Burnell, who has a four-month-old daughter.

CBeebies controller Michael Carrington said she is 'warm and natural'.

"It's a big ask to entertain millions of children every day," he said.

"We think that in time all mums and dads and children will love her as much as we do."

Miss Burnell was disappointed by the criticism but welcomed the discussion.

"It can only be a good thing that parents are using me as a chance to talk disability with their children," she said.

"It just goes to show how important it is to have positive disabled role models on CBeebies and television in general."


source: yahoo news website