Did anyone else see ABC's The Neighbors TV show last night? In it, Larry Bird, the alien father, joked about Santa Claus having his foot cut off due to diabetes. I found it a rather insensitive remark. Not sure they would joke about Santa being disfigured due to cancer or some other horrible disease. I wrote to ABC and I received an automated reply that 'As you can imagine, we receive thousands of messages daily from viewers and therefore they cannot reply to mine directly.'Do you find such a joke to be insensitive to the diabetes community or am I overreacting? Is it yet another example of the general population believing we are ourselves are responsible for contracting this disease from gluttonous eating? What do you think?
Comment by BriannaM on December 6, 2012 at 10:14am To me it's very insensitive and the fact that they didn't respond to your letter. even more disturbing. It's funny that even their own talk shows and news stations have the "the person said this and it was offensive, they should apologize" tirade. I guess they don't practice what they preach, but that's been obvious of the media for years. Anything goes as long as it gives people a good time and as long as they can make a buck.
Comment by smokinbeaver on December 6, 2012 at 11:11am I didn't see it, but that is insensitive to me! Its Santa and yes he is a round jolly fellow. He has been around for ages and his size would make people think about diabetes 2 and his eating milk and cookies at every house would contribute to his diabetes. But at least if he were on insulin, at least he won't have a low blood sugar all night long visiting all the houses. They want to hit us with diabetes all the time bringing Santa into it is cruel and unfeeling. If he is so magical, he won't even have diabetes.
Sharon

Comment by Stemwinder on December 6, 2012 at 5:07pm It's not just ABC, unfortunately it's human nature. It is so easy to make humor at someone elses expense. That said you would have thought that in these politically correct times that ABC would have known better.
Comment by Nicole on December 6, 2012 at 6:52pm I agree, that is awful, and not something to joke about! I had a friend that joked to my husband one time (who thought it was funny enough to pass along to me) "They don't call it live-abetes". I was so offended and upset by it. But no one understands why.
Comment by Lila on December 7, 2012 at 2:24am On the other hand, it *is* true that the main cause of foot/lower limb amputations in the world is [uncontrolled] diabetes. I understand people feeling upset but there's no avoiding this uncomfortable fact...
Comment
Manny Hernandez(Co-Founder, Editor, has LADA)
|
Bradford (has type 1) |
Lorraine (mother of type 1) |
Marie B (has type 1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
© 2013 A community of people touched by diabetes, run by the Diabetes Hands Foundation.

You need to be a member of Diabetes community by Diabetes Hands Foundation: TuDiabetes to add comments!
Join Diabetes community by Diabetes Hands Foundation: TuDiabetes