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Alzheimer’s Groups MIA on Ferrell’s Reagan Comedy

Mainstream press outlets can’t, either.

But what about groups that deal directly with Alzheimer’s disease? Who better understands its heartbreaking fallout, the grief it leaves with the families?

Organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America help deal with this incurable condition.

So surely they would be outraged at a film starring Will Ferrell that turned Reagan’s dementia into satire?

Apparently not.

HollywoodInToto.com reached out to both groups repeatedly for comment on Ferrell’s film project. Their response?

Silence.

This is hardly new.

Special interest groups often react when pop culture takes an insensitive turn. Just recently, the folks behind Special Olympics asked Showtime to pull a comedy bit using the word “retarded.” That term is deemed both antiquated and offensive.

The Anti-Defamation League often publicly complains if something in the entertainment community appears anti-Semitic. For example, the group blasted actor Gary Oldman after he said Hollywood was “run by Jews.”

And yet the outrage isn’t expressed across the board.

  • When CNN’s Carol Costello gleefully reported Sarah Palin’s daughter had been roughed up there was no outcry from feminist groups. What did Costello say about the incident involving a tearful Bristol Palin? “This is quite possibly the best minute and a half of audio we’ve ever come across. Well, come across in a long time anyway … sit back and enjoy … you can thank me later.”
  • When comic actor Jason Biggs torched the wives of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan with vile Twitter jokes no feminist groups railed against him.
  • When Bill Maher labeled Palin’s family, including their Down syndrome child, as “inbred weirdos straight out of ‘The Hills Have Eyes,'” groups dealing with Down Syndrome stayed mostly silent.

And yet when some people were upset that a black actress in the “Ghostbusters” reboot wasn’t made a scientist like her peers, the news ricocheted around the web for days.

Pearls were dutifully clutched.

What’s the pattern with this selected outrage? When a Republican is in the cross hairs, culture warriors stand down.

Not everyone is staying quiet about Ferrell’s upcoming “comedy.” Patti Davis, Reagan’s daughter, penned an open letter to Ferrell and company about their production.

Alzheimer’s is the ultimate pirate, pillaging a person’s life and leaving an empty landscape behind. It sweeps up entire families, forcing everyone to claw their way through overwhelming grief, confusion, helplessness, and anger. Perhaps for your comedy you would like to visit some dementia facilities. I have — I didn’t find anything comedic there, and my hope would be that if you’re a decent human being, you wouldn’t either.

Another Reagan child, Michael Reagan, also spoke out concerning the movie project.

Ronald Reagan's Son Outraged Over Will Ferrell's Film About Dad's Alzheimer's

Not only are media outlets unwilling to share in their concerns, two groups dedicated to defeating Alzheimer’s disease can’t even muster up a “no comment” via email.

UPDATE: Will Ferrell released a press statement Friday April 29 saying he was withdrawing from the project. Following the announcement, the Alzheimer’s Association released the following statements:

Statement from Bert E. Brodsky, AFA’s founder and board chairman:

“My mother lived with Alzheimer’s disease from 1980 until 1992. At that time, I didn’t know anyone who understood how to deal with the disease. I would get frustrated and even angry when my mom would ask ‘When are you coming to visit?’ after I’d just left.

“It took years for me to realize the scope of what was happening and how to deal with it. At that time, there was nowhere to turn with questions, no resources for support and very little regard for how the disease affects not just the individual, but his or her family, as well. That is why I founded AFA.

“This is a cruel disease and its impact on families is immeasurable. Thank you, Mr. Ferrell for making this smart and compassionate choice.”

Statement from Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and chief executive officer:

“The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, like most of the country, recently learned of a proposed movie parodying former President Ronald Reagan as he navigated the early stages of dementia.

“While we have not seen the movie or the script, we can say with confidence that Alzheimer’s disease is not a laughing matter. To the 5 million Americans living with the disease and the family members who are caring for them, Alzheimer’s disease is a brutal thief—one that breaks in, robs them of memories and destroys lives. We are grateful to Mr. Ferrell for choosing not to pursue this film.”

3 Comments

  1. Breitbart was all over this earlier today. Having lost several family members on my hubbies side, I can say that I weighed in firmly on the side of Patti Davis. From her letter, I would say she has truly changed and grown up a lot.
    Her volunteer work impressed me.
    Will Ferrell is a despicable piece of filth that can’t make it in the real world so he turns to Hollywood.
    I must say I am extremely disappointed in the flaccid lack of response by the groups who supposedly represent the sufferers of this disease. Or are they just in it for the money?

  2. while I agree with you. Let;s not forget that few Trunp supporters wee upset by Donny mocking a disabled reporter (Palin, at least, should have beencritical of her BFF Donny.

    Altimeter is as damaging to the family members.
    For the victim there is confusion and sometines fear.
    For the family. the anguish of a parent not recognizing their own child is so heartbreaking.

  3. The statements at the end of this article are from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, not the Alzheimer’s Association.

    The Alzheimer’s Association’s statement is here: http://www.alz.org

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