i turned on the local news this morning to find CW31 Good Day Sacramento, talking about Dick Clark on the New Year Eve's show. They had a running question for viewers throughout the hour, asking if Dick Clark should retire. What was outrageous were the comments from the reporters. One reporter was saying that it was depressing seeing him. He said that maybe he could be on the show, but not so close to the happy event of the count down. He further commented that children would have been watching, and it could have upset them.
Another reporter said she "felt sorry for him", but that it was great that "he taught himself to talk again". Obviously, she has never had a relative or friend suffer a stroke. No one sits home and "teaches themselves to talk", they go to a speech therapist and work through many hours of therapy to regain the ability to talk. i feel sorry for that reporter for being so ignorant and bigoted and prejudiced.
i was just so astounded at what they were saying. Does everyone have to be perfect to be on television? Are we supposed to lock up or put away anyone with any kind of disability? Or do we just lock them up for happy occasions? And rather than a child seeing Dick Clark and it scarring them emotionally, how about what a great learning experience that would be? "Mommy, why is that man talking funny?" Well, honey, he had a stroke, let me tell you what that is". So then that child is better prepared and emotionally compassionate when they next come upon a stroke survivor (or any other type of disabled person).
i don't think i was so upset merely because my mother had a stroke, and i was with her every step of her recovery. i think we really need to strike down prejudice in any form we see it. The disabled (physically, mentally, and emotionally) in this country are still up for ridicule, still looked upon as second citizens. People feel sorry for them or look away, and i understand that. But we need to see that those feelings are our problem and try to overcome them - not validate them and try to get others to vote on our side.
Sorry this was a long rant. i wrote a letter to the station manager and cc: to the local ACLU. Hopefully they will rethink their position and offer an online apology. And i look forward to seeing Dick Clark on tv for a long time to come.
Another reporter said she "felt sorry for him", but that it was great that "he taught himself to talk again". Obviously, she has never had a relative or friend suffer a stroke. No one sits home and "teaches themselves to talk", they go to a speech therapist and work through many hours of therapy to regain the ability to talk. i feel sorry for that reporter for being so ignorant and bigoted and prejudiced.
i was just so astounded at what they were saying. Does everyone have to be perfect to be on television? Are we supposed to lock up or put away anyone with any kind of disability? Or do we just lock them up for happy occasions? And rather than a child seeing Dick Clark and it scarring them emotionally, how about what a great learning experience that would be? "Mommy, why is that man talking funny?" Well, honey, he had a stroke, let me tell you what that is". So then that child is better prepared and emotionally compassionate when they next come upon a stroke survivor (or any other type of disabled person).
i don't think i was so upset merely because my mother had a stroke, and i was with her every step of her recovery. i think we really need to strike down prejudice in any form we see it. The disabled (physically, mentally, and emotionally) in this country are still up for ridicule, still looked upon as second citizens. People feel sorry for them or look away, and i understand that. But we need to see that those feelings are our problem and try to overcome them - not validate them and try to get others to vote on our side.
Sorry this was a long rant. i wrote a letter to the station manager and cc: to the local ACLU. Hopefully they will rethink their position and offer an online apology. And i look forward to seeing Dick Clark on tv for a long time to come.