Disabled Kids TV Show Hostess

I read about this story on CNN.com the other day.  

"BBC spokeswoman Katya Mira said the corporation has received at least 25 "official" complaints recently about Cerrie Burnell, new host of two shows on the BBC-run CBeebies television network, which is aimed at children younger than 6."

Apparently that doesn't include all the idiots who are scared of people with disabilities who have been complaining about her on message boards and blogs across the UK.  

I don't understand what all the fuss is about.  Now, granted I have a unique perspective having raised a child with many special needs.  But, really, why is it such a big deal?  This show will be giving parents an out.  They won't have to explain disabilities to their kids, because their kids won't realize it's even a disability.  Why is that bad?  

I never understood the problem that people have with disabilities.  I just don't get it.  I mean, really...just because someone is slightly different than your perception of normal, are they bad?  

I remember how people used to stare at Audrey when we went anywhere.  They would look at her, and all they would see was her wheelchair.  They didn't see her beautiful smile, or her bright blue eyes, her shiny hair, or her pretty outfit.  When I would go out with my dad, it was the same deal.  He's been in a wheelchair for the last 10 years.  If they don't stare, they pretend that you don't exist.  They won't get out of your way when they are walking and stopping in front of you.  They won't hold doors open so you can get through.  They thoughtlessly take the elevator when they could use the escalator.  Instead of observing you, and the person you are with, they treat you with disdain and disrespect.  

I'm not saying that we should change everything in this world to make it super easy for only people with disabilities, but we could be a little more respectful of the challenges they face everyday.  When we FINALLY got the van with a wheelchair lift, we could never park in the handicap spaces.  You know why?  Because the elderly folks who have placards or plates would park their Cadillacs and Lincolns in the van spaces.  When we parked in regular spots WAY out in the parking lot so we'd have room for the lift, some IDIOT in a new car would park RIGHT next to us so we'd have to move the car before we could get Audrey in.  It's not like you couldn't tell that there was a lift in the van either.  There was a shiny silver plate over the window, and a switch sticking out of the taillight.  

I think that people need to reevaluate the way they think.  I mean, if we can slap a sticker on our car in the shape of a ribbon, advertising our allegiance to the "cause", why can't we treat EVERYONE the same?  You'd hold open a door for the person right behind you when you enter a building, right?  Why not hold it open for the person in a wheelchair, or with a white cane, or a service animal?  

When did we become so callous?