Diabetic Recipes
Like many in the diabetes community, my wife and I were pretty disturbed when we heard the premise of Hannah Montana's "No Sugar, Sugar" episode that was scheduled to air last night.
The episode tackles the issue of juvenile diabetes, but not as we know it to be. A major, recurring character on the show gets diabetes. Oliver, one of Miley's best friends, is ashamed at first and tries to hide his disease from his friends.
In a very "Three's Company" moment, Miley and her friend Lilly believe Oliver and the school nurse are having a secret romantic relationship because of all the time they are spending with each other. He gives the nurse a box of chocolates (because he can no longer eat it); he slips what appears to be love notes under her door (we are to assume it's his blood sugar numbers); and he even falls down a flight of stairs because he's dizzy in love. Or so the girls assume. What's really happening is severe hypoglycemia, I suppose. Very classy, Disney.
They soon learn that their friend has diabetes.
Perpetuating the myth that people with diabetes cannot consume sugar, the big joke of the episode is that poor Oliver is going through withdrawal. His sugar withdrawal reaches heightened levels when he finds himself at a torturous "Sweet" 16 party, filled with sugary delights reminiscent of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. His friends Miley and Lilly are there for him like the diabetes Gestapo, swatting away any treat before it reaches his lips. They even refer to him as "Sugar Boy" after he dives into a garbage can for a half-eaten chocolate bar.
Now, I like to think I have a decent sense of humor, but "Sugar Boy?" My wife actually called Charlie's teacher (who is also a friend) and gave her a heads up about this Hannah Montana episode and to be on the lookout for possible name-calling. Isn't it hard enough having a child with diabetes? We need to now worry about impressionable kids calling our son "Sugar Boy" because Disney thinks it might get a laugh or two?
At 8 pm last night we tuned in to watch Hannah Montana only to discover that Disney had pulled the episode from its schedule. Posted on the CWD website was a letter from Disney Channels Senior Vice President Patti McTeague, stating that the episode would be removed and re-evaluated.
To all the parents who wrote to Disney to express your concern – thank you.
So, here's my question to you. Is diabetes fair game for a show like this if done the right way or should they just stay away from it altogether?
And now a challenge. What if we were the writers for this episode? How could we have broken down the misconceptions of type 1 diabetes yet still make it funny?
I think the joke could have been that Oliver wants to eat the treats and CAN eat the treats, but Miley and Lilly won't let him because of their misunderstanding of the disease.
Or maybe Miley and Lilly have an over-exaggerated notion of the limitations of diabetes and Oliver must repeatedly correct them when they try to force him into a wheelchair or they reprimand him for lifting heavy objects.
They could have poked fun of the misconceptions of the disease rather than the disease itself.
Who knows? If we have enough good material, maybe we can pitch our ideas to Disney for the new and improved version.
Wow, I can't believe they pulled the episode. That truly amazes me. I have no reason to watch the show, but I think it would be fabulous of they did an episode that more accurately portrayed T1.
Praise the Lord!!!!! I never ever thought they'd actually pull the episode! :D
I guess our voices worked! Thank goodness we don't have to worry about another entire generation of children being misinformed by the general media.
I'm really disappointed they pulled the episode. I was excited to see a recurring character become diagnosed with the 'betes. The key word here being recurring. They didn't choose a random character that would be in one episode with the stereotypes and than out. Oliver's new disease would have to be addressed every episode. I think seeing a character on TV repeatably living with diabetes would be a great role model for kids! As to the 'sugar boy' comment, it goes with the vernacular of the show and should be taken as such.
I am apparently in the minority in my thoughts, however I'm still holding out for them to re air the episode!
r u kidding me im in highschool and i kno wut its like to be called a stupid name i have been known as diabetic freak girl since 1st grade i hate it and i hate hannah montanna and u kno wut else if u can say u want people watching a show about a person who cant eat sugar then u try being diabetic for 13 yrs see how u like it dont give me all that crap of o its just a show and o it doesnt mean anything because it does it will get through to kids and they WILL call kids with diabetics that and it does hurt it really does.
Hang in there kiddo - people will mature quicker after graduation. I am type 1 & my teen daughter is not, but she tries to assist diabetics. While she was in a college class, a nearby student she didn't know was going hypoglycemic, so my daughter offered her some candy. Also, while working at a coffee shop, she notifies diabetic customers that sugar free pastries have carbohydrates and aren't a "safe" food. Maybe over time, and with some education, people will stop being butt heads. Try not to let them bring you down.
CK: If your comment was directed to me, I am very sorry to hear that you are teased because of your diabetes. I think that is horrible and don't think anyone should be treated badly because of any disease. I understand that kids will watch the show and learn from it, but I'm of the idea that learning anything is helpful. It has to be spoken about. Maybe after watching the show they will have more questions and feel more confident in asking them because their favorite show spoke about it.
Again I feel I am in the minority in my opinions but I have them nonetheless. And I have been thriving with type 1 diabetes since I was 12. I do know what it is like.
I guess I'm also in the minority. I agree with you that I wish they hadn't pulled the episode. I did not see it, but I'm very curious now. As you said, it was a recurring character so they could have continued the story line in future episodes and dealt with the name calling and other misconceptions about the disease. I certainly don't agree with malicious teasing and I'm assuming in the show it wasn't meant to be that way. But I have T1 and have had it for over 30 years. I know it's a serious disease but why does everything have to be so serious? Hannah Montana is NOT a serious show.
o sry i gues i overreacted theres just so many people that dont get it sry again
Carey- I would love to read the letter from the Vice-President of Disney.. Is it still on the CWD site? Anyway.. I sat down with my seven yr old Type 1 to watch the episode.. and was disappointed it was not on.. considering all the pre-show Nick Jonas stuff. I do hope when they re-do the show.. that it is more informative of diabetes then poking fun about it.. as we all know diabetes is NO jokeing matter.
Here is Disney's response to the wonderful parents of the CWD.
Thank you for taking the time to write me regarding the previewed episode of "Hannah Montana." We value Disney Channel's reputation as a trusted destination for kids and parents and we are diligent about fulfilling that responsibility.
During the script writing stage of the 'Hannah Montana' episode in question, the matter of depicting a character with diabetes was reviewed by our Standards and Practices executives who consulted with medical experts to inform the story and ensure that it was told responsibly.
Notwithstanding the care we took, and based on early feedback from parents, we have removed the episode from this Sunday's schedule and will re-evaluate it. We apologize if you or anyone in your family were offended.
We applaud you for taking an active role in your children's viewing habits and we appreciate your correspondence.
Sincerely,
Patti McTeague
Senior Vice President
Communications
Disney Channels Worldwide
Maybe Disney can make a SERIOUS episode of Hannah Montana where she finds out her friend has diabetes and offers support by actually learning about diabetes and supporting her friend through a tough time - maybe they can get their laughs by the inopportune (sp?) times blood sugars need to be checked or needing food at different times. I am pleased that they pulled the episode and name calling is never funny - diabtic or not!! It looks like d-life has a great "panel"(bloggers) of writers that could consult for the show and raise awareness and probably write an episode that everyone would enjoy while teaching a thing or 2!!
Good information about living with diabetes is often hard to find, especially living with diabtes as a young person. There are many misconceptions and much misinformation that I read and hear daily in the media. If done right, with good information, some humor and much compassion, this could be a very good opportunity to educate the general public about diabetes. Disney has access to some of the finest writers in the business and can hire experts to be consultants. They need to do so.
Why not use the big name of Nick Jonas to work with DM educ--he is interested in doing this and works for Disney. He also has a song reflecting on his dx.
I was watching a fairly famous televangelist program this spring. On it this man was making some pretty ugly accusations about diabetics, and they bring this condition onto themselves etc. He also stated that diabetics were singularly responsible for jacking up medical insurance rates, due their abuses. I was pretty ticked off, and wrote and told him so. Thanks to many of you who responded to him too....he hasn't made any comments like that since.
Re: Sugar Boy, and wrong info
I was watching a new show called Drs.
They were discussing nutrition to Kids.
The Dr. talking to the Kids said if they ate too much candy they would get diabetes.
Being diabetic for 50 years, and I hardly ever ate candy as a Kid I immediately sent them a note. Telling them their info was wrong, and that could make a little person with Diabetes think their Dx. was their fault. Or even have another Child saying that to them.
Of course they never got back to me. :o(
Maybe the nurse could be the one giving some candy to Oliver (for a low), but the girls would still misconstrue it as a gift FOR the nurse from him.
He could eat snacks in class when no one else is allowed to have food and shrug it off as bulking up to join the wrestling team or something.
my ONDEMAND with Fios often shows me tv shows earlier than they come out when i saw an add for this i thought wow maybe disney will show other kids what it is like to hav diabetes so i immediately went to ondemand. after watching the episode i was discusted. it was horrible i dont want kids calling me sugar girl. i dont go through trash bins for candy, or grab someone elses candy because i cant have any of my own! i could not believe disney channel would do that. I am 10 and i know if kids saw that and they knew i have diabetes my life would be tourtue at school.
I dont believe they should have done the 'sugar boy' name calling; b/c that could give others motivation to call persons with type1 that, but perhaps it would not be bad if they let the episode play; because it would state misconceptions; & they would be corrected by oliver - which would give others the notion to understand that they are just that - misconceptions. it could help to clarify; if done without the name calling. because those are things ppl commonly believe; and if they were expressed then corrected; it may do some good. :]
I think that the first part of the show sounded really good, but the comical part towards the end, I am very offended by. I don't think my 9 year old daughter would have liked that part of it either. I think that it was very irresponsible of the Disney channel to make that considering the history between Nick Jonas and Miley Cyrus, not to mention all the children with Type I Diabetes. I would have been the first to complain if that would have been aired. Debbie