Parents say that One-armed TV host scares kids

When the BBC hired a very young actress to co-host a daily program for young children, who never expected that viewers complain that the couple could give your children nightmares.

"I did not want to leave my children to see the stuffing bits in the time to go to sleep last night because I know that have played at my daughter in mind and possibly caused sleep problems," one viewer wrote in an e-mail to British television network after seeing Cerri Burnell play and read children's stories.

The viewer of the problem? Burnell was born with an incomplete right arm that ends in a stump below his elbow.

According to a BBC report, the majority of spectators have supported Burnell, who took over on a daily slot on the BBC Children Network, CBeebies, in early February with Alex Winters. But a handful have written to complain to the station of their disability. Some say it may scare the children. Others accuse the network to go overboard for the sake of diversity. Some say they do not want to face these issues with very young children.

Burnell, who is 4 months old daughter, seems unfazed by the controversy. "The children come to me on the street every day and say 'What is that?" I would not say you're scared, but they certainly are curious, "he told the BBC magazine." I always take the time to explain to a child. All they want is an explanation. They want to know 'What is that? "And" What happened? "And" Why are you different? ", Then move."

Barbara Otto, executive director of Health and Disability Advocates, a national organization that lobbies for America, said in a telephone interview that she was surprised when a person like Burnell caused a similar reaction in the United States.

The Americans with Disabilities Education Act has incorporated the largest number of disabled children in regular schools. "We have a community of people with disabilities," he said. "Children go to school with people with different abilities. In the U.S., this would be unprecedented."


Your turn
Åre exaggerating the foster parents to the disabled?


In Britain, experts have observed that young children often have no difficulty in dealing with people who are different. Where adults can turn your head away from someone in a wheelchair, children to walk to them and ask about his chair. Do not ask what is wrong, but rather what it is.

"They recognize that, not look away," Otto said of children. "They wonder what happened, not by fear or horror or disgust. He wants to know what happened. A responsible adult tells them: 'This is what the situation is."

Adult åre the problem?
England has laws similar to those of America. The problem is not with children to adults, but, Mr Bert Massie of Britain's Equality and Human Rights Commission told the BBC.

"I think what is happening is a number of adults who have prejudices, they have very negative views about people with disabilities, and instead of admitting own opinions, which are projecting them to your children and telling the children are doing, "he is quoted as saying.

Otto agreed. "These are adults," he said, noting that Baby Boomers were raised in an era in which disabled people are excluded from society. "People with disabilities were" others. "He went to live in institutions. A lot of that changed from the 1970s and 80s. It is an old concept."

Otto said the reaction to Burnell is symptomatic of a broader problem of parents today are trying to cope.

"This really speaks to a theme we're seeing in parenting today," said Otto. "Given the challenges of being a parent and an inability to control what our children are exposed to, some parents are having a drastic reaction. Perhaps it is a part of it. Some people are struggling to protect their children while can. I guess you see everywhere. Let the people see the home-school their children because they do not want that in an environment where they can not control what they are doing every minute of every day. "

Although the target of complaints, Burnell did not attempt to tell parents how to raise their children. "I never comment on the parenting of anyone or the time to have a discussion with your child about disabilities," he told the BBC. "It's a totally personal thing and people have to do when you feel comfortable doing so. But I just hope, I guess I CBeebies will be an opportunity for them to do so in the comfort of your own home."