Have you seen JK Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy recently on TV? The character called Colin Wall (Simon McBurney) who was portrayed as a weak, over-stressed weirdo who had asthma and was always puffing on his inhaler, made my blood boil.
Why is every odd character given a ‘weak’ condition like asthma, allergies, eczema etc. suggesting that these conditions are just a symptom of being stressed, a worry wart and not able to function properly in society without others propping you up and supporting you?
I’m not the only one who finds this kind of portrayal that asthma would somehow disappear if people weren’t such nerdy geeks with no friends, no social skills etc. extremely offensive.
This blog entitled “Asthma is not funny” says it really well and gives many examples of characters in many films who suddenly don’t need their inhaler when they find the strength etc.
Just google ‘asthma portrayal on tv’ and you will find many others who feel the same.
But asthma is NOT funny. 3 people die from asthma attacks in the UK EVERY DAY!
That is shocking, not funny.
Visit the https://www.asthma.org.uk/ website for support, guidance and the latest research and advice.
So really, how dare anyone portray it as something to be belittled, laughed at or something only weak or damaged people have.
It’s just not true and quite honestly it makes me scream.
Just like the lack of anyone with an allergy, anyone with real eczema and actually anyone with any normal disability.
We seem to have to watch a sanitised and well groomed version of the world that is so far from reality.
So JK Rowling I am disappointed in your attitude towards this very serious condition. Got anything to say about that?
It was a pretty disappointing series in general to be honest and the ending sucked… so many loose ends I don’t know where to start, but I watched it just to see what it was all about. I wish I hadn’t bothered.
What appalled me more than the rather easy and unimaginative character, you remember, the one with asthma, Colin Wall, is the things the other characters said to him. The way they behaved, the way they treated him.
The comments and the way they laughed at him for needing an inhaler.
Quite frankly it displays a flagrant disregard for a very serious condition.
Why can’t someone normal on TV ever have asthma?
Would you make fun of someone with epilepsy? or diabetes?
Would you joke if someone was having a stroke or a heart attack?
Would you laugh at someone with a potential life threatening disease or condition
Because let me tell you this, having an asthma attack is not funny.
It is terrifying.
It hurts.
It really hurts.
And when your inhaler isn’t working you know you need help fast because this attack is a biggy and could well be your last.
I would ask that everyone or just one bloody producer at the BBC, ITV or Channel 4 or just about any channel really would take a step back and portray these conditions with the respect they deserve.
Why can’t a normal person have asthma?
The last time I had a bad asthma attack I ended up in hospital in A&E needing emergency treatment. Not funny. Not funny at all.
I’ll be off now because it’s late, nearly bedtime and I need to take my preventative inhaler, which I do every day in the hope that I will never have another serious asthma attack again.
Anyone else find this kind of portrayal deeply offensive? Or is just me?
I thought the same thing, Ruth! Was chuntering at the telly. People who struggle with allergy have to be strong to cope with it!
I know, I’m on the disability soap box again but it drives me crazy. What a naff ending too? and such steriotypical characters. The poor family, mother with drug problem blah blah blah. Boring. Problem is, no matter how much I shout about this nothing ever changes.