That is absolutely awful that some parents are so mean about her missing an arm. Anyone could lose an arm or a leg.. some people lose teeth and hair..but SO WHAT?! My sister dated a guy born with no legs when she was younger and he was able to to everything we could, he just preferred to walk with his hands. I was young then and it seriously didn't phase me. I would say this is more of an issue for the parents than it is for their kids. If they would just give an age appropriate answer if their children ask, I think their children would be more understanding of health issues like this. This is something that SHOULD be talked about with children, not avoided. This TV host is beautiful and I'm glad the station hired her based on her engaging personality and didn't discriminate because she's missing part of her arm.

My beautiful grandmother lost her arm in the mid-50's when my dad was 6 mos old. My grandmother was determined to do things on her own and figure out how to do everyday things on her own. And she did. The loss of her arm never became a 'disability' for her. It brought out in her the strength, determination, and independence she had. Growing up, when I first 'noticed' that Nana didn't have an arm, she told me simply that she got sick and the doctor had to take it off. I was probably about 3 or 4. It was a simple and satisfying enough answer and we went on with life. My own children asked the same thing at about he same age and the same answer was given. They don't seem to be phased by it either. It's just Nana.

Wow, where do I start? Let me start by saying that I am legally deaf in my right ear and legally blind in my right eye, along with some other physical congenital defects due to Goldenhar Syndrome. So this is a subject close to my heart. We talk about racial diversity and how it shouldn't matter.... Disney makes their shows as ethnically diverse as possible - even when it is not historically accurate. But how often do you see physical diversity? There is some granted, but it's far and few in between. This goes for children programming and adult programming. You know what? Children are only "scared" when they get an uncomfortable vibe from the adults in their lives. One of my close childhood friends has spina bifada, Another child in our family of friends was completely deaf. Sure we were curious - children are curious about everything. But after the questions are asked and answered appropriately, we all played together, we all took classes together, we had sleep-overs together. The differences didn't matter, not even to the "normal" children within our group. Anyone that feels the need to shelter their children from the realities of the human race -and we are not a perfect species - is more uncomfortable on a personal level than they are actually concern about their child's reaction. Shielding a child only leads to uninformed children in elementary school, when for the first time they are introduced to other children who might have differences. At that point instead of asking questions, the children become self-conscious and are unable to get past the differences. This is where fear comes into play. Leading to, at the least, nervousness around the disabled child, or at the worst, bullying the disabled child. The introduction of any type of diversity needs to start at home and start at an early age. The "problem" that is illustrated in this situation, is definitely an product of adult uncomfortableness and nothing all to do with the children. As for my 4-year old (soon to be 5!), my disabilities have never fazed her - even when I have to gently remind her to whisper that secret in the other ear. I'm sure there will be more questions as she grows, but I'm ready for them.

sorry - double posted by mistake... deleted that so you wouldn't get bored.

As a mom of a child with a limb difference (http://www.bornjustright.com), I spend a lot of time talking to children about disabilities. The most important thing I find is kids are wonderful when you tell them honestly that everything is okay... it's the parents who have long standing issues with disabilities that make it difficult for kids to understand. My daughter is as able if not more able than many two handed kids. . . But you have to see it to believe it. Families who take the time to get to know us can learn a world of amazing things from my three year old. I'm so proud to be a part of that. She's opened my world and my eyes to disabilities. I hope Cerrie Burnell will help expand this understanding!