Disney Thinks Bullying A Gluten-Free Kid Is Funny

[carisima]

There has been a recent petition to ask Disney to take down an episode, where a kid who has to maintain a gluten-free diet is mocked and made fun of.

 

There's been a petition started to take it down.

 

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[seezee]

I find similar issues with gluten free. Many people relate tales of so and so who says they're gluten free but eat regular pizza or that it's the latest fad. I am not sure other food issues are so mocked or trivialized.

[StephanieL]

I find similar issues with gluten free. Many people relate tales of so and so who says they're gluten free but eat regular pizza or that it's the latest fad. I am not sure other food issues are so mocked or trivialized.

 

 

Food allergies are often mocked on TV and in print as well.  It isn't just gluten-free.

[Meatballman]

Just change the channel and move on . Sometimes we have to laugh at ourselves . Disney is a great . When visiting Disney they take Celiac and other diseases VERY SERIOUSLY . Heck making fun of things is just part of life .

[StephanieL]

Just change the channel and move on . Sometimes we have to laugh at ourselves . Disney is a great . When visiting Disney they take Celiac and other diseases VERY SERIOUSLY . Heck making fun of things is just part of life .

 

 

Laughing at yourself is one thing. This is a CHILDREN'S show. Laughing at CHILDREN with a disease isn't funny.  Do you have kids?  Have you had your child bullied because of medical issues?   Bullying happens to most kids and kids with food issues (Celiac or allergies) report an even higher rate of bullying. And it can be deadly.  

It isn't funny.  Would you think a kid who was bald because they were going through chemo was funny? Doubt that would ave hit the airwaves. Why is this different?

[Brandiwine]

I do agree that Disney overall is great I loved it growing up my children love it now, but that's kinda why this bothers me, I trust Disney and to find a show that I know my child watches making fun of something he has to deal with everyday feels like betrayal. They are supposed to be family oriented and suitable for children. I would love to say I'd rather keep the peace and "turn the channel and move on" but if you don't raise awareness things won't get better for Celiacs, the reason you find more gluten-free menu opts at restaurants and in grocery store is because of those of us that choose not to turn the channel and move on!

[Meatballman]

Laughing at yourself is one thing. This is a CHILDREN'S show. Laughing at CHILDREN with a disease isn't funny.  Do you have kids?  Have you had your child bullied because of medical issues?   Bullying happens to most kids and kids with food issues (Celiac or allergies) report an even higher rate of bullying. And it can be deadly.  

It isn't funny.  Would you think a kid who was bald because they were going through chemo was funny? Doubt that would ave hit the airwaves. Why is this different?

As a matter of fact I do have kids . My intent was not to stir up any anger . I am sorry if I did . Disney parks takes Celiac very seriously and goes out of thier way to cater to us . My children watch Disney channel almost exclusively . No I wouldn't think a kid going through chemo was funny . But occasionally we have to look and laugh at certain things . Sorry if I sounded insensitive .

[IrishHeart]

I had my say about this on the GDude's site, but I'll say it here too.

 

I simply do not find the humiliation of any child funny (whether it's his allergies, celiac, glasses, whatever)

 

The clips I saw depicted two adults and two children mocking this kid and throwing food at him.

 

That's not funny. (and I have a gigantic sense of humor)

 

Yes, all the Disney parks, etc. are very good about accommodating people with food allergies and celiac but this program was just plain stupid. 

[StephanieL]

I'm not angry I was just trying to get my point across that it isn't funny.

[julissa]

I think there in no excuse for this, it is simply disgusting that they aired this. my kids and now my grandkids watch Disney, and we always thought Disney was a safe place for them to view shows. this shows me that it is absolutely not. just a tragic blow to those kids with these issues.

[StephanieL]

Disney pulled the episode

 

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[bartfull]

You know what IS funny? The other day I was at a graduation picnic and someone threw a dinner roll at a guy standing next to me. He missed, and it hit my leg. My response? "EWW! GLUTEN!!!"

 

Then I watch this video clip and see the same thing happen to the kid, and with the same response. I know this show was on before this ever happened, otherwise I'd think "they stole my line".

[Adalaide]

You know what IS funny? The other day I was at a graduation picnic and someone threw a dinner roll at a guy standing next to me. He missed, and it hit my leg. My response? "EWW! GLUTEN!!!"

 

Then I watch this video clip and see the same thing happen to the kid, and with the same response. I know this show was on before this ever happened, otherwise I'd think "they stole my line".

 

When a roll goes off target (food fights style), it is funny! It is one thing entirely when we poke fun at ourselves. I do it, and my husband does too within what he knows are my boundaries.

 

It is entirely another thing when someone maliciously throws food at someone else, especially a child. It made me so sad to think that a show aimed a children was making light of such blatant bulllying. It is the intent that matters.

[bartfull]

I wasn't laughing at the video because I thought it was funny. (It wasn't.) I was just laughing because it sounded like the kid was quoting me.

 

By the way, when I reacted that way at the picnic, the people around me laughed, but they were laughing WITH me. They all know about my gluten problem. As a matter of fact, these were some of the same people who brought the cookies into the shop that time the crumbs got me, and not a single one of them objected when I told them I couldn't allow food in here anymore. They understand and don't blame me at all.

 

Also, the picnic was catered. Of course I brought my own food, and when I sat in a chair with bowl in hand, someone said, why don't you sit here at the table with us. I explained that a kid had just dumped a bag of Fritos on the table (his Dad cleaned it up), and that I was "allergic" to corn. These were people who DON'T really know me, and they too were understanding and sweet about it.

 

I feel horrible when I see things like this video or read posts here about friends and family who harrass people for trying to take care of their health. I consider myself so lucky that everyone I know is so supportive.

[blmoreschi]

My 11 year old (6 weeks post diagnosis) and (former) Jessie fan just watched the offensive episode on YouTube yesterday. We were not only offended by the picking on him for his allergy, but by the stereotyping that was done. The allergy kid was the biggest nerd with no social skills ever depicted on Disney. My daughter immediately e-mailed Disney and told them how offended she was and that she would never watch the show again. You go girl!

[frieze]

I think this could have been a really big teaching moment.  and I would prefer to see the episode stand with a f/u of how inappropriate it had been.