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Cerrie Burnell's appointment as a BBC children's channel presenter has caused debate. Cerrie was born with only one hand and some parents have expressed concern that her disability was 'scaring' their children.
For The One Show, Cerrie has been looking into the prejudices and issues surrounding disability in the UK media. Watch her film, above.
Why do some adults find disability so difficult to deal with? Cerrie says that it's about visibility, "fear often comes from ignorance, so I believe the only way for society to accept disability... is surely for there to be better representation on screen."
See also: Ouch! - disability magazine.
Have you experienced prejudice because you're disabled? Is the UK tackling disability prejudice quickly enough? What needs to be done? Share your views and experiences below.
Comments
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
I think this is a problem thats with the adults not the children.
I have grown up in a family where my great auntie has the same disability and every child that has ever met her loves her and has never ever showed fear towards her.
In fact a few years back she had a very special birthday and alot of the people that have made her a life long friend from their childhoods showed up. These ranged from 2 and 3 years old right up to people in their 30s and 40s. she is proud of her disability and no one ever treats her any differently than anyone else. Blaine
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I think the BBC is GREAT to tackle this issue.
I have a 6 year old daughter and she has no problem with seeing disabled people on TV.
I think it is good for children to learn from a young age that people can be different.
I think it shows that some parents should look at themselves and how their reactions affect others, especially their children.
GO CERRIE!!!! We think your wonderful, My daughter loves watching you on TV.
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This makes me really sad, and I think is much less about the children and more about the adults who are inherently unable to get past Cerrie not having part of her arm.
Children can quite easily get over that, they usually just accept people once they ask a question and I genuinely believe it is the adults who refuse to move past it and don't give their children accurate information.
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I was talking to a friend about this ridiculous debate the other day and she said that her son watches the CBBC programme in question and had not even noticed the presenter's disability. People who make crass remarks about children being frightened and having nightmares are not only voicing their own fears and prejudices but under estimating the ability of children to accept people as they are. When I was a child I knew a young man who had an upper body disability caused by thalidomide and as far as I was concerned it was his personality that I was interested in not his arms. We have tried so hard to stamp out racial prejudice maybe its time people overcame their disability prejudices. To the presenter I would say keep up the good work and ignore these hurtful remarks.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
I am shocked that any parents could have such a prejudice attitude towards disability and then passing these views onto their children, they should be ashamed.
Liberty Benedict
London
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hi
my 4 yr old daughter was born missing her arm just like cerrie and we have been so pleased to see her on tv, cerrie is doing a great job and i would like to thank her for being herself and standing up to these few nasty people who have said these things.
Carry on doing a great job Cerrie my daughter loves you
linda
x
ps my daughter doesn't like to wear her prosthesis either!
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I am the mother of 2 girls who have no problem with Cerrie what so ever, in fact they enjoy watching her so much they even wave goodnight after the bedtime hour and bow her a kiss!!
Those parents who rant and rave about, "It gives my kids nightmares" "and it scares my child" and " how do I explain that?", shoud take a long hard look at themselves and realise that it is them who have the problem with Cerrie not their children, for gods sake and our grow up, Cerrie you go girl !!!
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Great topic, and really well covered by the One show. Cerrie is absolutely beautiful and I can't see why anyone would object to seeing her on TV.
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I think its terrible that people are complaining about something that is natural. If my daughter would ever be "scared" I would take the time to explain that its a natural thing and nothing to be frightened of. Good on her and shame on the small minded people that complained!!!
Zoe
Lowestoft, Suffolk
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I do believe that it is definitely the adults not the children, I have a child with downs syndrome and he is in a mainstream school and not one of the children make any comment about him however adults seem to and they are the ones that need to be educated. I think Cerrie on Cbeebies is a wonderful idea and I will always support people with a disability on the t.v. why not?
Gill, London
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I cant believe what I have just seen on the one show - I didn't realise that poor girl had only part of an arm - I was so busy concentrating her animated and pretty face -
What is wrong with people in the Uk these days?
Obviously kids dont have prejudice - it is planted there by their inadequate uneducated ignorant parents - oh dear - am I going on?
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Cerrie is a charming and intelligent woman. My youngest children have never commented on her disability. As previously stated it's narrow minded adults who have problems with disability.
Cerrie I salute you. You make my children very happy.
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I am glad people like Cerrie are on our screens, especially on childrens TV. Children need to learn there are people who are different to them, that it is nothing to be scared of.
The question to be asked is, did these parents explain what was on their screens to their children, or just assumed their children's uncertainty as fear?
Also what if these parents lost a limb tomorrow or end up with a horribily disfiguring injury, would they hide away from their children?
Most children are more intellegent than you think. Half the time it's the parents ignorance that dumbs down the children, if you spoke to the child they would tell you different.
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Is it because I am abroad?
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I'm shocked to hear that there have been complaints from parents about Cerrie being a presenter.
Our 22 month old son loves watching The One Show whilst having his bedtime milk and was REALLY excited to see Cerrie on your show!
We think she's fab
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My name is Dan Edge I am a disabled Actor, Model, and the UK's only disabled Pro Wrestler I share both David and Cerrie's frustation when it comes to auditions and work and was personally pleased to hear that they are both working ! Hopefully between all the disabled actors, models presenters etc, we can change both the industry and the publics perception of Disability in the Media and Performing Arts if anyone is interested there was a documentarty made on myself as a wrestler for a satalite tv channel than can be viewed at http://current.com/items/89550810/wrestling_with_disability.htm
Dan Edge
Northampton
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I often watch Cerrie on CBeebies with my 6 year old niece- far from being scared, my niece is fascinated and we have had very interesting conversations about diability, how it might happen, it's consequences, and people she knows with a disability.
I think there should be more people like Cerrie on the telly- prejudice comes from ignorance, and perhaps if there are more people with disability on the telly, there will be less prejudice.
Away from the matter of disability, Cerrie is a very talented presenter, and children adore her- keep up the good work!!
Sarah#
Leeds
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I can't believe that there are people out there, who would complain about such a thing.
With the world in the mess it is at the moment, I look at this as somebody has decided to put themselves forward into the public eye, rather than shy away.
If these people want somebody, who is not disabled & good in front of the camera so as to not scare their children.
There is always Ian Huntley!!!
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in response to jdeboise omg lets just hope you never have a disabled child or even lose a limb yourself as these things do happen in real life!!!!!!!
you need to grow up cerrie is not deformed i wouldn't even class her as disabled she is VERY abled
people like you should live on your own little island where everything is 'perfect'
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I think its great that people like Cerrie are on telly especially childrens tv. It makes kids aware from an early age not to be prejudice.
I think cerrie is very brave and very good at her job! U go Girl!!
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jdeboise, you should be ashamed of yourself....Deformed... how utterley unforgivable, does she not breathe the same as you, How can you leavesuch a derogatary comment about someone you don't even know,
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ANYONE, whether disabled or not, with the ability to do a job well and effectively, should ALWAYS be considered.
What musn't happen is that people with disability are hired just because they are disabled.
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I watch Cerrie every day with my two-year old twins, she's a fab presenter. I want my children to know the world is made up of different people of all abilities, colours, religions, etc. I hope her career takes her onward and upward.
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I am disgusted that anyone could complain about disability! If children can learn about thes aspects of life we wouldn't end up with narrow minded idiots like jdeboise who probably thinks the world is flat!
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I have seen similar situations with injured servicemen trying to use a swimming pool in Leatherhead.
The issue as stated by many is the parents, they have not the parenting skills to explain these issues to their children. We are all different, I've got 2 arms but not sure that qualifies me to be a childrens presenter!
Like most the main question is can Cerrie dothe job? If the answer is yes then I really do not see a problem wheter she has 1, 2 or 3 arms!
Good luck Cerrie, 99.9% of the public say carry on!
Mike Turner
Reigate
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Ii'm so glad to see that this woman is able to be a childrens tv presenter. Welcome progress. I note however that she is young, slim and pretty - it seems to me that there are a range of issues for women and their perceived image.
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I have nothing against Cerrie's disability, and she seems like a very nice person. I also have nothing against my children watching her on television. However, I do not think she's a very good children's television presenter - she comes across as a bit dull and wooden. Bring back Chris and Poy!
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As a mother of 3 when you are walking down the street, and see a disabled person, you cringe, you are waiting for the imbarising questions " where is that ladys arm?" " why is the man in a pushchair?" I think that the more that children see disabled people the less it is unusual for them and is concidered "normal". I would encourage my children and have done to ask people who have a disability what it is like, and ask them there views, and opinions. People are afraid of the unknown, and if some thing is understood, it is not frightening and become second nature for children. Any one could have been born with such disabilities, and still live a full life, with no set backs. I think that we should be gratefull with what we have, even if its not what every one else has, and except people and their differences.
Good for you Cerrie Burnell
Helen
Of Kent
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we all live in a socity that has differences and cerrie just has a very visable one she is a role model to all young children that we can all do wharever we want as long as we try and don't let narrow minded people stop us with out of date attitudes long may she continue to be a good role modle and brilliant presenter
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Great looking lady! Good presenter. Surely people have got greater sense than to be critical or rude?
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I caught the end of this story on a radio show a few days ago and dismissed this as a silly story. I can't believe parents would come up with such a lame excuse to try and stop an excellent presenter from trying to earn a living. What ever next? And where does it stop? Lets get rid of Black people and old people cause they can be very scary! Actually what frightens me is the ignorance of these parents who are passing on their own ill-judged and stupid prejudices onto their own children. God forbid that if their kids were in an accident say, and lost a limb, would they be 'less' than human? No they wouldn't. This is 2009, people, PLEASE get over your selfish selves and realise we all, thank goodness, come in all shapes and sizes and THIS should be celebrated. Cerrie is NOT a freak, she is a good presenter and her skills should be cherished, nurtured and encouraged - not because of her so called 'missing' arm, but because she is a talented person - GOOD LUCK TO YOU. And to those silly parents - SHAME ON YOU, and I hope you will learn from this before you pass your foolish ideas onto the next generation.
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As any intelligent parent will know, our kid's view on the world (and all the different sorts of people in it) is really our view on the world which we teach them. Children don't discriminate against people's colour, disability or anything else, they don't see it! If only we could all see the world they do, it would be a much happier place!
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Im glad to see people with disabilities on mainstream TV, what I find strange is that those people who have a problem with Cerrie do not have a problem with the actress in Balamory who is diabled and in a wheelchair. Is it only certain disabilities are accepted by these ignorant people. Its a shame if that is the case.
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Cerrie, you mentioned on The One Show that you 'may not be beautiful'. I'd like to reply to that. 'Oh yes you are and down to earth too'. Don't let anyone tell you any differant. Children always spot the good things that adults don't. Keep up the hard work. Well done on going for such a rewarding career.
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I found this whole story really dumb. I think it is a bit rich of the BBC to suggest that the complaints that they got from people saying that their children were scared were just lying. the complaints area at the BBC is there for people to air what they think about the shows and should not have people coming on the TV saying that they are wrong/lying.
I can understand that some children would find it scare as they are not used to seeing disabled people. that doesnt not make them judgement or evil, IT MAKES THEM NORMAL CHILDREN.
There are people that have made careers out of being disabled, which is more of a novelty act. The part when the guy in the wheelchair saying that he finds it hard to get acting work, well NO ****! me being a white man may find it hard to get the part of playing a black woman in something. Directors, believe it or not are trying to make a program in the best way that they can, and should not feel the need to put a character in a wheel chair purely just to be P.C.
Finally, at the end, they said that they only got 9 complaints and thousands of letters of support. so this intire debate was a waste of time! the random guy (no idea who is was) said that it was probably the media hyping it up ( the One show being a media program and debating it) and also said that they should address disablity more directly. Why? isnt it equality this debate was about? its not exactly equality if disabled people show be discused directly.
A complete waste of time, the sort that I have come to expect from this very opinionated show.
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i think cerrie is wonderful.i am a diabled mother of one.although i have a muscle disease called fibromyalgia, and walk with sticks, visability is everything.i have been pushed out of bus seats for the disabled and often get stared at because sometimes when i am in remision i do not look as though i have a disability. at the end of the day unfortunatly there will always be some people out there that are afraid of anything different.
speaking as someone who has a disability we donot wish to be pitied or laughed at or even to frighten people, we are ordinary people living our day to day lives , and anyhow whats "normal"these days?????
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
as a disabled person myself i think it is totally disgusting that the parents of these children watching cbbc are complaining about somebody having a disability. i think it is a good thing what she is doin and hopefully their children will learn more about disability and to see the real person for who they are and what nots wrong with them.
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jdeboise - your comments are what is sickening. It's people like you that make me sick.
I have a dissabillity called arthrogryposis in my arms. the muscles didnt form properly. I live an ordinary life, living on my own. I have played disabled football for Chelsea, Millwall and England. I also play pool by holding the cue in my mouth, and I am pretty good.
I was a qualified football referee, never did anyone make a comment bout by small hands and arms. I still occassionally ref my nephews team, who are under 8's, they dont even look at my arms.
I think its the older generation that have an issue with disabled people..
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I don't see the problem, with the presenter who has a disability. If the parents were to speak to their children about it, the children would understand that not everyone is perfect . Good luck to her and hope she continues to present .
Tracy
Rainham
Essex
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this is an set back for her and i back her all way as i have a disbaility
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I am a primary headteacher who has difficulties with prejudiced parents every day. It is amusing that they use the children to put forward these prejudices as when the children are in primary school they ask questions and more often than not don't share their parents views!!!
If only parents would take responsibility to discuss these role models and what they have to overcome then we might start to break the cycle!!!
She is fantastic and kids at school loved her in our assembly discussion!!! Good luck to her.
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I have a friend that had an accident when he was a teenager and ended up having his face shot off. he recovered but needed many operations to rectify the problem. many children come round to our house and have seen him. not one of them have run from the room screaming or have had nightmares. Children are curious and will ask questions, answered simply there is no reason they should be afraid. the fact that Cerrie has a disability does that mean she can't have a job for fear of frightening anyone? taken to the extremes that could mean that she shouldn't be allowed out of the house. I do feel that some parents try to protect their children from too much. life has its challenges and a parents' job is to teach their children how to overcome these difficulties. What a wonderful example Cerrie is to the young and how limitations can be overcome
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jdeboise
you make me feel physically sick you are a complete idiot what would you do if you lost a limb? what about all our poor service men who have come back from war missing limbs? do they make you phisically sick?
i hope i never bump into you in the street.
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jdeboise, I think your description of Cerrie as deformed is utterly inexcuseable!
I suppose you don't even let your Children watch 'Something Special' which is also on C Beebies (which is my daughters favourite programme). Lets just hope ur kids don't grow up to be as sick as u!!
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I think that the young lady is quite brave to overcome her disability, and it certainly doesnt make her any less of a person. Any reasonable parent would explain this to a child, and not encourage children to be frightened or biased. I just hope that those who have complained are perfect beauties with hour-glass figures. They would need to be to compensate for the hard hearts that they carry around with them
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After watching the one show i am very disgusted with the way that a number of parent have responded to Cerries disability, having two older children of my own they would never treat anyone differently even if they had a disability. We should see more people with disablilties on our screens they have as much right to be there as anyone else.
Keep up the good work Cerrie.
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Having just watched the show, i am totally appalled by the views raised by a certain minority of adults claiming their children were "traumatised" by the Presenters Disabilty.
I agree with earlier posts, that these views are from the adults and NOT he children.
What 2 yr old twins scream at the TV and run to their parent claiming to be affected by Cerrie's disability?
As for post nbr 6 (which incidently has been referred to the moderator) please wake up and smell the coffee.
Yours Truly Disgusted
xx
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tom6ls - it isnt a set back for her. this has done more for her career then most will ever get. she has lost nothing from this.
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jdeboise you spend your time watching childrens TV then.....
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jdeboise - are you for real? Are you perfect in every way? No, I dont think so. For one thing, your mind is sick. I hope that you never become disabled in any way - you'll end up hating yourself - hopefully.
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Being disabled my self I have had some very unkind remarks when out shopping.
Just because I use a wheelchair some people comments include"they are always in the way, they should not be allowed in the shops when other are trying to shop,"
""Hurry up" These are usually said behind you, not to your face.
However the majority of people are very kind and helpful, with out intruding, these people I thank, because they help me keep my independance, The others, well I just hope they never become disabled in any way, if they do they will soon realise how stupid they are,
God bless Cerrie, don't let other peoples ignorance bother you
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hi
with reference to cerrie,s disability i would just like to add that i have recently had an accident which has resulted in me loosing my right arm just above the elbow and whilst you would imagine that i would support the demonstrative fashion in which Cerrie displays her arm i am actually a disabled person who feels that there is some discretion required and longer sleeves and tactful dressing could minimise the impact without going for the more obvious display which is asking for approval/debate /awareness almost as if this is what the bbc would like to fly the flag for . With ref to the models i even find it difficult to see women with a body part missing as a candidate for a model but that may be a difficult image for me at this relatively early stage Who knows! I do however believe that children have an innocence but thats to be expected (I would imagine) but the viewers could be of mixed ages and this will be why there is debate. The more i think about it the more it seems that the bbc have looked for this opportunity to bring this to a debate forum, and they have succeeded, but as a fellow disabled individual I may not be flying the flag
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ivywalls - no 'jdeboise' is NOT 'for real'. they are just saying that to get a reaction out of people. Its called 'Trolling'. ignore them
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What a beautiful brave girl Cerrie Burnell is! I used to be at school with a girl who had a short arm which ended in three fingers which were fused together. She was a brilliant tennis player and nobody thought anything about her disability, we all loved her. Keep up the good work Cerrie, I think you are wonderful!
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For the parent's who think it is scary for there children to see a young lady on screen with only part of an arm, they need to sit down with there children and explain that this is not sickening it's a fact of life that some people are born with only part of a limb, or through illness or unfortunate accident have lost a limb. These people need to get off there perfect cloud's and let the like's of Cerrie do the job she so clearly enjoy's without any prejudice.
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RE: the above!
Similar to Carrie i was born without my lower right arm limb.
Can i be frank and say i find this subject insulting that this biological arrangement can be considered a disability.
The only disabilty in this and many other conditions is the inability for "normal" people to understand that the loss of a limb or being born without one puts you in a category.
Genersally throughout my own childhood and indeed the beginnings of adulthood, in an everyday environment, children are inquisitive about my arm and always deal with it in inquistive manner, ask questions, and when satisfied with a legitimate answer they just move on.
It seems to me that the people influencing and labelling people like me and hundreds of others are doing so in ignorance.
Issues arising from the public categorising people like me has a tendancy to put us in an uncomfortable position.
We are not considered being disabled, in fact we put more into society, more than is expected of us due to the pressures of being labelled.
I myself have never had difficulty doing the things of which "normal" children do, learn and improve on throughout childhood.
I am a complete individual and never ask for help to do anything, niether do i gain benefits because i look slightly different.
Everyone in society needs to understand how people like me have lived our lives without milking any situation.
Everyone is equal, no matter how different they look, i am so passionate about this subject, and it angers me that a few people are aired viewing their ignorance.
I am a 19 year old student, studying French and Spanish at University, work, cook, clean, drive, type and of course party as good as "the others."
Muchas gracias, me llamo Leanne y espera que mucha gente comienzen comprender la importancia de la normalidad en el mundo entero!!!!!!
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brightseebee she made an impression on u and u remember her disability but u also remember her skill as achild that created a posertive impression of people with disabilities everyone should have that oppertunity
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I also think it's a problem with the parents rather than with the children.
Good luck to Cerrie - she seems lovely and certainly has the support of the public.
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As a left leg, above the knee amputee of nearly two years standing, or rather, sitting, who, like Cerrie prefers not to wear my prosthesis , I say more power to her elbow, well the left one anyway!!.
I live in an old market town in Wiltshire where most of the shops are in listed buildings and have a minimum of one step at the entry.
I have never had anything other than fantastic assistance from any of the shops. Many of them have bell-pushes outside for the use of wheelchair users; if the have a level entry that may be partially blocked by displays they will willingly move them; If they have only a small step they are used to chair users reversing in and, after a short chat, will often make constructive attempts at making a ramp (surprisingly, the most accessible barber's shop in Devizes is the one with the highest entry step - they have got a portable ramp which requires two peiople to move out into the pedestrian street, but they are only too happy to assist)
Rick
Devizes
Wiltshire
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my son was genuinely frightened when he saw cerrie on the tv but please don't reflect this onto the parents. i am anything but prejudiced and tried my best to explain why cerrie looks 'different'. children (and some adults) are frightened by what they don't understand and the answer is education.
after talking to my son, now every time he sees cerrie he slips his arm up his sleeve so only his elbow is showing so he can be like her! this is an innocent interpretation of what he sees.
programmes like 'something special' and disable people on the tv certainly introduces young children to people who are 'different' to themselves, but a child being frightened by something he doesn't understand is normal isn't it, not prejudiced!
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I am a site manager at an east London school.also i have only one arm. I wear a hook on my amputated arm within full sight of the children. I have done class visit's explaining how i lost my arm and also how my arm works. I have dressed as captain hook for world book day which the kids loved. All the children have shown me great respect and ask the greatest questions which they then relay to their parents who are a wee bit less forth coming.Some take a while to get used to it but i wear tshirts in the summer so its not hidden i coached football help with cricket coaching so the kids know i can do just about anything.I think its great having a presenter on tv i wished was me but i was in the olympic promotional for 2012 so thats close enough. Keep uo the good work Cerrie.
best wishes
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GO GO Cerrie - Dont let them stop YOU !!
i been disabled all my life.
i been abuse by kids with their bullying.
i made good friends at school help me feel no different from others.
The parents that are Prejudiced one with THE PROBLEM , Attitudes.! !!
They need re-educating !
They need to be TIED to another disabled to break the TABOO ... that disabled people should be hidden - not seen !
PLEASE BBC - show more disabled people AND do it MORE regularly -
LETS PUSH " PREJUDICED WALL DOWN ! "
stu
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My Dad has had one hand for most of his life. He grew up from the age of three not knowing any different. He later got a degree in pottery and taught art at a secondary school for 35 years, and also refereed England and West Germany school boys International at Wembely. So this proves that people who are disabled can do as much in life as the rest of us. After the kids first day at school he would explain how it happend and after that the kids did'nt bother anymore.
So I think its the parents that have a problem with disabilities not children !
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?My niece needed oxygen on a permeant basis, regular suction and everything this entailed, she
was also very life limited, she was a wonderful happy child, when we took her out shopping
etc we would get comments like she shouldn’t be allowed out I’m sure it would be a different
story if it was their niece or daughter My niece died before reaching 5 years old she has left us
all with wonderful memories of what a brave and happy little girl she was We can all learn
from the disabled
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Like in comments mentioned before, if no-one had ever decided to write in complaining about Cerrie then it wouldn't have been noticed; she does such a great job entertaining children that there isn't any reason to bring other small issues up that don't effect the way she delivers the programme.
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Great report.
How shocking and crass that people should have complained in the first place.
Please add Cerrie to your regular reporters and not just on disabled issues.
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Many years ago, I went with my daughter who was about 10 at the time, to the local Blood service. While I was laying on the trolley, she looked at the chap next to me and said "You've only got one arm!" After a couple of seconds deliberation, she announced "You can't clap!". The chap was highly amused and thanked me for not stopping her.
Currently, her own daughter of 4 years, watches Cerri on the TV with no problems whatsoever. It's not children that are afraid of disability but the adults.
Any one of us could lose a limb, or any other part of our body, at any time through illness or accident and we could also become mentally impaired by the same methods. Be careful of what you criticize, there but for ................
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We really must begin to think of all our fellow human beings as people of distinction.
All people on the planet live and function and the way we all live and function is equally special to each of us and the circumstances we live in.
We should change the word Disabled to
"Distincitve".
Its got a much more equitable sound.
Yes I am Distinctive....
Cerrie, the only way to eradicate complete ignorance is education and creating postive affirimation for all. You are doing a great job.
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I worked with Cerrie several years ago in Manchester and think she's an inspiration!! My 3 year old loves watching her and will continue to do so! Anyone complaining needs to take a long hard look at themselves and be grateful if thats all they have to worry about! I wish Cerrie all the best and hope she'll be gracing our screens for a very long time to come!!
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luckypoppycat
you are going to turn your 2 year old into a very shallow person lets hope your bubble never pops!!!!!!!!
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disabilities are all around us and some are more obvious than others and this should be shown to children at an early age.
We have two grown up girls who were both taught to respect their elders and not to judge people by what they look like.
We are members of a Trike club with members who ride trikes because they can no longer contiue to ride their Bikes but do not want to give up the biker lifestyle so these short sighted people should go out in the real world and see what is out there, Because the people with the disabilities have to work harder to get into the jobs they wish to follow and deal with the predjudgies that go with it
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We have been force fed by the media that a perfect female is a 5ft 8 blonde woman, long flowing locks, aged 21, slim, with so called super model features, which includes 2 arms, and 2 long legs. Of course they will have to be intelligent, process great fashion sense, and cook better than Nigella! Oh of course she will have to be heterosexual and be the perfect yummy mummy. The men - well they will have to be akin to James Bond, look good in a tux, be able to provide for a family of 2.4 kids, own a Ferrari and a 10 bedroom house, and drink 10 pints every night. God forbid if they are gay! If any one meets these people, please could you let me know? Or maybe put them in a museum!
No one can conform to the 'ideal' person, and those who want too, are missing the point. We all come in wonderful different shapes and sizes - some have 2 arms, some have 1 arm, some have 3 arms, some have none. It does not make us more or less human. The parents who wrote to complain obviously have some sort of ingrained hatred of themselves which they have already passed onto their kids. How very sad is that.
Cerrie, I believe, got her TV role because of her great talent. However, we need to ask, how many people have failed to get a job, any job, because of their looks, their colour, their religion, their gender etc despite their great talent. If those parents can influence their own kids to be scared of Cerrie, who else are they influencing? Are they in positions of power - to hire and fire? Because if they are - then this story is only a mere drop in an ocean of problems and issues which we all need to resolve both as a nation and within ourselves.
Thanks - and sorry this was so long :)
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I have a disabled son and I am fully aware of the ignorance that surrounds you.
It's not the children you have to worry about it's the adults, children are curious and they asked questions. All you do is explain in easy terms why your child is disabled and they except your answers. What I came across when my son was younger was when you where out with him you would here children ask there parents why my son was in a wheelchair and they would always reply with "come away" and avoid the question completely. Why are adults so frightened of imperfection? Why do we all have to be perfect? It take's all sorts of walks of life to make this world we live in, a lot of people have no idea of how difficult it is to be different. I have two wonderful grand-daughters who adore their Uncle and except him for who he is and a wonderful daughter who would protect him with her life! We are a family, a united family! So congratulations Ceerie for doing a wonderful job and I'm sure there was no complaints from children they excepted you for who you are!
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jdeboise I find you dispicable, your comment speaks volumes about you
Cerrie is a very pretty young vibrant woman,
who is full of life.
What endeared me to her tonight were when asked what she would change if she could and stated her hair colour, no self pitty.
Children may notice disabilities and ask questions, if they are answered honestly they will not run away or fell any kind of revultion.
It is normaly the parent who avoids the questions and drags the kids away with out explanation.
My adopted grandson is HIV positive, we all learned as much as we could about this condition, we do not treat him any differant than the rest of the Grand kids, he has no fear of asking some one why are you in a wheel chair, or why can't you walk. most disabled people will tell you about their disability.
Cerrie continue educating the young people make them aware there is nothing wrong or shameful with being disabled, the best and most insparational thing about the olympic games were all the young disabled people performing to the best of their ability's
Good luck with the show and ignor the low life comments from people such as jdeboise
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Whilst I think children are far less judgmental about other people, because of their relative inexperience of life, I think adults having lost the age of innocence are very much aware of matters that seem to make some of us stand out from the “norm” Hence disabilities will be noticed – it is also probably a fact that our prejudices are partly based upon our make-up as human beings - survival of the fittest / adaptation being very much in mind because of Darwin’s anniversary. Looking at the Cerrie Burnell case I think that for example Adrian would not be so flushed with enthusiasm for his fellow presenter , if she only had one arm. It’s not his fault, it that man Darwin again who says that we choose mates that will produce the best children regardless of other factors.
Personally whenever I have worked with disabled people I make a point of looking them in the eye to show them my good faith but I suspect I have inherently in built preferences
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My 3yr old son watches cbeebies and has never mentioned Cerrie's arm. If you treat things like this as 'normal' then they wont react in a negative manner. It is most definately the Parents enforcing their fears on their children and not letting them think for themselves. Respect the young people of today and encourage them to view EVERYONE as EQUAL.
It would be interesting to know if these parents that watch cbeebies and are 'scared' are also scared of 'Something Special' with Justin as that features a lot of children with disabilites.
Becci Leicester
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Everytime I see Cerrie on television she brings a smile to my face. She is an inspiration to my whole family. Our beautiful son was born on the 2nd november last year with the lower part of his left forearm missing. We knew nothing about this and came as a complete shock, but from the moment he entered our world he has brought so much happiness.
We never look at our son as 'disabled' as we're too busy looking at his lovely smiles and watching his personality develop. He has an older sister who is 3 and loves him so much (and gives him no special treatment whatsoever!)
We understand that some people may not be so accepting throughout his life but, with more people like Cerrie on our tv screens, attitudes will change and acceptance will become universal. Thank you Cerrie for all the smiles and reassurance you have given us.
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To learn that the BBC recieved complaints from a small minority of the British public, regarding Cerrie's TV appearance totally shocked me.
As an Occupational Therapist I have the priviledge to work closely with people who over come their potential difficulties to lead a full and fulfilling life. I find it terribly worrying and disappointing that in this day and age such narrow minded and arogant people still exist!
I feel that Cerrie is a fantastic asset to the BBC and can offer more than just great presenting....but also a chance for such discriminatory views to be challenged and more importantly to let our next generation see a person for their talents and not focus on a disability, which incidently may not even be a disability for that person.
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It was very refreshing to see this issue aired.We need more positive images of disabled people on T.V.
how about a regular disabled presenter for 'The One Show'?
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Hello Everyone
Do you what my daughter aged 3 said tonight - hey mummy look that lady looks just like Cerrie from CBEEBIES........
When she first saw Cerrie she said to me mummy that lady has a different arm to me but she can still do lots of things....
Its not actually our children that are discriminatory but the parents. However having worked with a wide range of people in my life with varying impairments and differences the reality is that there is still a huge amount of prejudice in relation to people's perceptions. As Cerrie said tonight there is insufficient people with noticable disabilities in the media on TV in films etc and if they were it would be become the norm as seeing non disabled people
Sadly the managers of today (well the older school) were brought up in a day and age when people with varying impairments were not seen and not heard. I think language is powerful and negative at the same time -
If the media - ie newspapers stopped serialising disability in such a negative way (ie wheelchair bound, ...ic's) this would help to challenge the stereotypes
Employers if they embraced the DDA rather than seeing disabled people as problems that would also be positive
If Education took on board more teachers with impairments rather than not that would also challenge the negative beliefs.
But one thing we do have is our children do not see impairment or difference for many of their years until it is indoctrinated into their psyche by their parents, families, media etc.
I love my daughter implicitly. If we see a person with a guide dog I talk to her about it - in a really positive upbeat way. The same when friends come who may use a wheelchair instead of their feet - I dont use negative language around her about people being different - just the same as if she sees a person who is black or chinese we just talk about that in a positive way about people being different
I think Cerrie is a brilliant presenter. She has a beautiful voice and aura and certainly has many fans in our house
However she alone cannot challenge the stereotypes or prejudices - we all have that responsibiltiy to stop the negativity... in whatever way we can
I would like to see more presenters, film makers, not in a tokenistic way take on board people on merit - irrespective of their difference so that in 3 years time we become used to seeing lots of differences on our screens
Good luck Cerrie xx
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i think that the problem is the adult. i have a 2year old son and he loves watchin cerrie on cbeebies and he does not take no notice of a lady that has an illness i think the people that have a problem with a lady with an disability is very mean and very sad.. i love cerrie and she does a GGGRRREEEAAATTT :-) job and i am very upset that this has come up and people are makin an problem out of nothing. i have a family member with an missing arm but i dnt say bad things about them and put it all over the internet..
I WISH YA GOOD LUCK CERRIE AND ENJOY WHAT YA DO HUNI BECAUSE YOUR GREAT AT IT AND YOU MAKE LOADS OF CHILDREN HAPPY XX
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I thought Cerrie was great! This issue went too far but great for her to explain on tv about it and show other disabled children and adults who live with a lower limb amputation, and brilliant to highlight the fact that there arent many disabled people on screen. Hear! Hear!
There are many casting agencies who do cast disabled people in the shows and producers should make a point of reseearching these!
Try Extraordinary Casting as a start producers! Go now!
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As a mother I think having disabled people on ceebies is a very good idea and those that complain are very narrow minded.
My 3yr old daughter watches ceebies and is learning sign language from watching something special which is great for the wee ones. The first time cerrie can on tv my daughter didnt notice cerries arm she was more interested in her having the same name as her mummy it was a few days later that she said "cerrie has a baby arm do you think it hurts?" she was told that cerrie was born like that and that like the kids on mr tumble some people are born different but are just the same as you or me,
Good for ceebies for giving justin and cerrie the chance to show our children that in this world you can be white,black,brown,deaf,blind,non speaking,be in a wheelchair or have missing limbs but inside we are all the same.
Those people who complained should wise up.
kerry
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I welcome the fact Cerrie was able to make this contribution to the One Show, unfortuately in my opinion it raises more questions that gave answers.
To begin with, I wonder why the media insist on calling a diverse group of people - "the disabled"? This dehumanising term helps maintain stereotyped images by setting disabled people up as "Other" and suggests 'we know' who these people are and why they are grouped together - I challenge these assumptions.
Cerrie was subjected to prejudical views by individuals - prejudice is often irrational and much of the time results from ignorance, fear or feelings of superiority. Yes, some are prejudiced against disabled people, but this does not explain why we have excluded them from or marginalised them within mainstream society for so long.
Many disabled people like myself believe the root cause is not individual prejudice, but institutional discrimination arising from how the World Health Organisation and governments define "disability".
I was born 58 years ago with cerebral palsy and it does affect my functioning ability, however whilst this creates personal restrictions, the social restrictions I encounter are caused by the ways in which disabled people are both seen and treated.
People with impairments are viewed as "abnormal" because they do not conform to the norms, values and interests of so called "normal society". Are people really "disabled" simply because they have a single hand or are unable to walk?
Isn't it more the case that they are disabled by non acceptance of their impairments and diversity of human form within social relations; the refusal to remove or take into account disabling barriers caused by existing social structures?
I have CP; I don't have a disability: I experience disability when I am unnecessarily excluded from activity. This treatment turns people with impairments into disabled people - not "the disabled" - and it reinforces individual prejudices.
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I dont think its fair to discriminate against a disabled person being on the show.
I am myself someone with developmental and learning disabilities and i see the positive side of being disabled and i dont know why it seems that the adults are thinking its negative.
Some people with disabilities like who we are and u cant change that, u cant change me. we are all different.
Some of us can work and want to do the normal things in life but we dont like it when people try to hold us back from doing something we can do.
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I think that the problem lies with adults, im disabled myself and suffer discrimination most days of my life. For example i am currently looking for a new job but cant get one cos of the way i am. As soon as i get a interview and i walk in, the look of disgust on the faces is just so obvious!!!! Ive even tried to work within the media industry and got a even worse response!!! I have been looking for 2 years now and still no luck!!! I think that the BBC should just tackle the whole subject of disability and not how young children react to it!!! In my opinion its the adults that need educating on it and the sooner it starts the better!!!! And i think the BBC has done agood job so far but think it should show any programmes on disability on BBC one and not the other channels so more people can access it an watch them.
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Is anyone aware that from 1st April all gas safety issues should be dealt with by a Gas Safety Registered engineer - not CORGI as now? Publicity should have started weeks ago, but there has only been one tiny mention on the morning BBC news. Please can you highlight this on the show?
many thanks
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i am disabled and 51yrs old when i was growing up there was even less understanding. i was born with short arms and people did stare, but you get over that i was a pub landlady for 15yrs and raised a son alone. disability is in other people minds not ours. good luck in the future
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Continuing on from my earlier post and after reading some earlier posts, i think that the one show should have a disabled presenter on board even if they were reporting on issues outside of the studio......if anyone is reading from the one show.....i would happily take this role on for you.........
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I had the utter joy of working with Cerrie a few years ago in Manchester. She is one of the most capable and inspirational people you would ever have the privilege to work with. People with disabilities have to work that extra bit harder to get where they are - something 'able' bodied people take for granted. I was devastated to the core to read the comments against her on the message boards, as anyone who has ever known or worked with her would have been. The word 'brave' doesn't even come close to doing this woman justice.
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My daughter was born with her left arm missing, and hadn't seen Cerrie on TV before she was asked to come and film this with her. She was a bit put off by all the people watching, but she took to Cerrie so much that she was in tears when she left, and has been talking about her ever since. She's a lovely lady and relates so well to the children.
To answer the suggestion that she should keep her sleeve down, just on a practical note, the little arm is used for a lot of the time, and covering it does restrict what you can do. My daughter doen't like anything covering her arm and will often remove coats in the coldest weather if there's something she needs her arm for.
My daughter's comment watching this was "I'm not disabled and Cerrie's not either."
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I dont think disability should hold people back. I did not even notice the presenter had part of her arm missing and my Mother took even longer to notice. The parents seem to have more of a problem than the kids and they need educating about disabilities so they understand and can treat people as equals.
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Contrary to belief us disabled people are no more likely to take time off work sick than anyone else so why discriminate.
Sandra Sheffield
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Children need to be introduced to the realities of the entirety of life. However I defend the right of parents to decide the rate at which children are introduced to certain topics. Every child is different and mature at different rates and the only people who can judge that accurately are the parents. I have no problem with parents who choose delay the introduction of disability to their children especially if they are very young and therefore do not have an adequately developed intellect. This is far preferable to the BBC or the state defining parenthood.
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The only time to teach children about disability is before or when they encounter it. You cannot shield them from something which they could encounter at any time and then expect them to understand.
My children, and grandchildren, were always taught to accept people regardless of disability. My son recently went to the aid of a fellow train passenger who was suffering a fit and stayed with them until they had fully recovered and offered to call an ambulance for them. Even though he was late for work, he wouldn't desert anyone who needed help.
Disability is all around, we have to live with it as does the disabled person. But they don't have a choice.
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My dad lost all the fingers on his left hand in an accident at work when he was 16 feet up, his concern was how we would react. I was 7, my sister 4 and my brother 10 months our reaction? At least we've still got a dad! He got a prosthetic hand which he didn't like wearing, so "his little toe-rags" would hide it under chairs with the fingers showing to scare visitors!
9 months after his accident he went back to work at the same job, and retired 2 years ago.
I myself have epilepsy and have often been asked by elderly people on buses "to prove it!" Nor am I considered suitable adoption material
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To come to terms with who she is and not let anything stop cerri from acheiving her hearts desire takes courage and heart warming and provides a beacon of hope to those like my 19 year old son who has still to come to terms with his clawed right hand, which he continues to hide from view,suffers depresion and feeling of failure which continues to hold him back from acheiving his dreams.
With cerri's profile may convince others like my son to seek help to come to terms with their condition in the same way that cerri has,which with her positive outlook directs one to her facial expressions and away from her arm which i did not notice initially.
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mindambles perhaps there's a group near where you live your son could join to allow him to go out and meet people. I know it's hard I didn't leave the house for months after I was diagnosed with epilepsy okay my disability is not visible, but what he has to do is if anyone asks explain things who knows might make friends. And tell him one day he will achieve his dreams there's no such word as can't. (Maybe have to adapt them a bit, but so what?)
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I work with young people in a further education college many of whom have range of additional needs and disabilities. I am hoping to base a tutorial session around Cerrie's items on the One Show to raise their own self belief and esteem. I think the learners will find Cerrie inspirational and also will support the majority of comments on the site. I will be asking learners if they want to post comments on the item. Does anyone know how long this blog will be open? Will it be available next Friday? Any advice would be gratefully received as this is my first blog ever.
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My daughter was born with no fingers on her left hand which now is about the size of a small mandarin orange. She helps with youth organisations which have young people aged 4-16 years of age. When a young person asks her about what happened to her hand, she tells them the truth - my hand was like this when I was born - and allows them to touch her hand if they wish. Never has she had hurtful comments from young people. Neither have any of the young people been frightened by her hand. It wasn't until she went to work in a building society that she met very hurtful comments from a customer, a man, who asked her is she was a biological experiment!!! Children accept things when they know they are being told the truth but it is the attitudes of some adults that are the problems. Is it because the adult does not know how to deal with the situation, is it embarrassment, that makes them say that the children are frightened to see a person with a physical difference?
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As a learning disability nurse I am very aware of the stigma attached to people with disabilities. I admire and applaud the BBC and Cerrie for standing their ground on this matter.
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As a learning disability nurse I am very aware of the stigma attached to people with disabilities. I admire and applaud the BBC and Cerrie for standing their ground on this matter. Without people prepared to take a stand on such matters how is society going to improve and become more tolerant. My little girl (3years old) watches CBeebies regularly and hadn't even noticed as I hadn't highlighted it to her. There is no need as Cerrie's disability makes no difference to her presenting skills. I have explained to my daughter that not everyone is born with arms/legs that are fully develpoed or work properly but that doesn't mean they don't have the same rights as everyone else. Good luck and I hope those who ahve been so judgmental in their attitude have learned a valuable lesson. Hazel J, Kenilworth.
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I read the blog halfway through and was surprised to find that -- with very few exceptions -- people think that children are not scarred by disabled people. I'm a healthy male, but i have a 6 cm long scar on my neck. I found that people are generally keen to find out why I have it, without expressing their feelings about it. One time I can recall when a younger nephew of mine, about 5 that time, spotted my scar and immediately seeking protection in his mum's arms. I heard him also asking in a concerned tone why I have the scar. I do not think that my nephew had this reaction because this is what he learnt from his parents. I'd rather think that prejudice is inherent in children and adult too. Nevertheless, I'm all in favour of a disabled person presenting the children's TV programme. I feel however that beyound pursuing an agenda, in the One Show and other media coverage, the problem is denied and it is ignored to analyse the problem to find out the real reasons.
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I get fed up with buildings and shops that have signs saying guide dogs only. In this day they should change it to Assistance dogs only which will include Epilepsy Support Dogs, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and Dogs for the Disabled
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Dear everyone
We are from Blackpool and the 'Fylde College from F6 . We want Cerrie to carrying on with her presenting. We think you are inspirational to other people in the community.We object to people who are prejudice against you. We think you are a legend. All the best for the future.
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There are over 2,000 disabilities/conditions (some visible, some not) that can afflict the human race and children should be exposed to disability not sheltered from it, so that they learn to embrace people that are different to themselves. Exposure to disability teaches children to be less afraid and to see people as individuals rather than stereotypes. To be on the receiving end of blatant disability prejudice from a child who mimics a parent's narrow minded, unthought out, unfair opinions, is a very ugly thing and it's everyones' responsibility to ensure that children grow up to have a healthy respect for people with disabilities.
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The same stigma applies to children who are not educated to accept a "different" person or a disabled person as "normal",
as the stigma that a disabled person who cannot work is a "benefit scrounger".
Parents are responsible to teach children that somebody who looks different to others or is disabled is not neccesarily a bad person, and that nobody is perfect.
I believe that once the "ice is broken", a child will accept a person for who and what they are far more readily than an adult.
The problem lies with the parents education of the child, and not the children.
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