Saturday, March 8, 2014

Disney's New Low

Reaching My Autistic Son Through Disney - NYTimes.com


The New York Times Sunday magazine article, linked to above, is a heartbreaking story of a family's tragic and triumphant story of dealing with their autistic son. One's heart goes out to this family, and all families, that deal with the pitiless effects of autism, and are still able to live a meaningful and rewarding life. Good luck, and all the best, to them and others that have autism touch their lives.

The following disclaimer appears at the end of the article:

"This article is adapted from “Life, Animated” by Ron Suskind, to be published April 1 by Kingswell, an imprint of Disney Book Group. Disney exerted no influence over the content of the book. The author acknowledges the rights granted to him for the use of Disney materials."

Coincidentally, Disney's Aladdin, which figures prominently in the NYT story, is set to open on Broadway in New York City this Spring.

Is that acid reflux, or have I thrown up in my mouth?

Widely hailed as a master of cross promotion, The Disney Company has pulled off a neat trifecta here, albeit the new low of exploitation ought to make Mickey Mouse ashamed of himself.

A Disney owned publisher has put out a book that documents a family's trial with autism and Disney characters positive influences on helping an autistic child break out of his autistic prison. Happily, for Disney, this story can be excerpted in the Sunday New York Times Magazine on the cusp of Aladdin opening on Broadway, in the Disney run New Amsterdam Theater. You can't buy publicity like that! Or can you? Well, yes, I guess you can.

What hath Walt wrought? Saving Mr. Banks, indeed. All the way to the bank.

Is there no shame?



                 

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