Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Disney Thinks Bullying A Gluten-Free Kid Is Funny

carisima

Recommended Posts

carisima Newbie
carisima
Posted

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.

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

 

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


seezee Explorer
seezee
Posted

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 Enthusiast
StephanieL
Posted

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 Rookie
Meatballman
Posted

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 Enthusiast
StephanieL
Posted

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 Contributor
Brandiwine
Posted

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 Rookie
Meatballman
Posted

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 .

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

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 Enthusiast
StephanieL
Posted

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

julissa Explorer
julissa
Posted

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 Enthusiast
StephanieL
Posted

Disney pulled the episode :)

 

Open Original Shared Link

bartfull Rising Star
bartfull
Posted

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". :lol:

Adalaide Mentor
Adalaide
Posted

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". :lol:

 

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 Rising Star
bartfull
Posted

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 Apprentice
blmoreschi
Posted

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 Community Regular
frieze
Posted

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.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Kimmy88
      - Kimmy88 commented on Scott Adams's article in Winter 2026 Issue
      8

      Can You Really Trust Gluten-Free Menus? What Every Celiac Needs to Know Before Eating Out

      Thanks this is helpful!
    2. xxnonamexx
      - xxnonamexx replied to xxnonamexx's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      2

      Fermented foods, Kefir, Kombucha?

      very interesting thanks for the info
    3. Florence Lillian
      - Florence Lillian replied to lmemsm's topic in Gluten-Free Recipes & Cooking Tips
      13

      gluten free cookie recipes

      More cookie recipes ...thanks so much for the heads-up Scott. One can never have too many. Cheers, Florence.
    4. Russ H
      - Russ H replied to Charlie1946's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      15

      Severe severe mouth pain

      Hi Charlie, You sound like you have been having a rough time of it. Coeliac disease can cause a multitude of skin, mouth and throat problems. Mouth ulcers and enamel defects are well known but other oral conditions are also more common in people with coeliac disease: burning tongue, inflamed and swollen tongue, difficulty swallowing, redness and crusting...
    5. cristiana
      - cristiana replied to Charlie1946's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      15

      Severe severe mouth pain

      Hi @Charlie1946 You are very welcome. I agree wholeheartedly with @knitty kitty: "I wish doctors would check for nutritional deficiencies and gastrointestinal issues before prescribing antidepressants." I had a type of tingling/sometimes pain in my cheek about 2 years after my diagnosis. I noticed it after standing in cold wind, affecting...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,914
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Momxiety
    Newest Member
    Momxiety
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • xxnonamexx
      Fermented foods, Kefir, Kombucha?

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      very interesting thanks for the info  
    • Florence Lillian
      gluten free cookie recipes

      By Florence Lillian · Posted

      More cookie recipes ...thanks so much for the heads-up Scott.  One can never have too many.  Cheers, Florence.
    • Russ H
      Severe severe mouth pain

      By Russ H · Posted

      Hi Charlie, You sound like you have been having a rough time of it. Coeliac disease can cause a multitude of skin, mouth and throat problems. Mouth ulcers and enamel defects are well known but other oral conditions are also more common in people with coeliac disease: burning tongue, inflamed and swollen tongue, difficulty swallowing, redness and crusting in the mouth corners, and dry mouth to name but some. The link below is for paediatric dentistry but it applies to adults too.  Have you had follow up for you coeliac disease to check that your anti-tTG2 antibodies levels have come down? Are you certain that you not being exposed to significant amounts of gluten? Are you taking a PPI for your Barrett's oesophagus? Signs of changes to the tongue can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron, B12 and B9 (folate) deficiency. I would make sure to take a good quality multivitamin every day and make sure to take it with vitamin C containing food - orange juice, broccoli, cabbage etc.  Sebaceous hyperplasia is common in older men and I can't find a link to coeliac disease.   Russ.   Oral Manifestations in Pediatric Patients with Coeliac Disease – A Review Article
    • cristiana
      Severe severe mouth pain

      By cristiana · Posted

      Hi @Charlie1946 You are very welcome.   I agree wholeheartedly with @knitty kitty:  "I wish doctors would check for nutritional deficiencies and gastrointestinal issues before prescribing antidepressants." I had a type of tingling/sometimes pain in my cheek about 2 years after my diagnosis.  I noticed it after standing in cold wind, affecting  me after the event - for example, the evening after standing outside, I would feel either tingling or stabbing pain in my cheek.   I found using a neck roll seemed to help, reducing caffeine, making sure I was well-hydrated, taking B12 and C vitamins and magnesium.  Then when the lockdowns came and I was using a facemask I realised that this pain was almost entirely eliminated by keeping the wind off my face.  I think looking back I was suffering from a type of nerve pain/damage.  At the time read that coeliacs can suffer from nerve damage caused by nutritional deficiencies and inflammation, and there was hope that as bodywide healing took place, following the adoption of a strict gluten free diet and addressing nutritional deficiencies, recovery was possible.   During this time, I used to spend a lot of time outdoors with my then young children, who would be playing in the park, and I'd be sheltering my face with an upturned coat collar, trying to stay our of the cold wind!  It was during this time a number of people with a condition called Trigeminal Neuralgia came up to me and introduced themselves, which looking back was nothing short of miraculous as I live in a pretty sparsely populated rural community and it is quite a rare condition.   I met a number of non-coeliacs who had suffered with this issue  and all bar one found relief in taking medication like amitriptyline which are type of tricyclic anti-depressant.   They were not depressed, here their doctors had prescribed the drugs as pain killers to address nerve pain, hence I mention here.  Nerve pain caused by shingles is often treated with this type of medication in the UK too, so it is definitely worth bearing in mind if standard pain killers like aspirin aren't working. PS  How to make a neck roll with a towel: https://www.painreliefwellness.com.au/2017/10/18/cervical-neck-roll/#:~:text=1.,Very simple. 
    • Scott Adams
      gluten free cookie recipes

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      We just added a ton of new recipes here: https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/gluten-free-recipes/gluten-free-dessert-recipes-pastries-cakes-cookies-etc/gluten-free-cookie-recipes/
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.