AN ADELAIDE television host who offered to organise a charity event for children with disabilities has been criticised for the language he used in his Facebook post.
Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello is the host of Channel 9’s South Aussie With Cosi travel show and is a former breakfast radio host.
He was a contestant on the 2008 season of The Biggest Loser and has won several awards for his documentary reporting on homelessness.
On Monday, Costello posted a message to his 100,000 Facebook followers, offering parents of children with disabilities a free day out at the movies.
“I’m looking for 50 South Aussie families living with a child with a disability. I want to shout you all a free day out at the movies! If you have a disabled child or even better, tag anyone you know in this position that deserves a free day out,” he wrote.
“I’m lucky enough to have healthy kids so I want to help those that find life a bit harder with their kids. Life’s tough for these SA families so I’m pumped to be able to ease the burden for a few hours.”
The post was accompanied by a photo of Costello with one of his daughters.
But the radio host has been criticised for using the term “disabled child”.
He was contacted by a parent of a child with a disability, who recommended he amend his post to use the phrase “children with a disability”.
“I know you mean well, but can you please at least consider using appropriate language,” the woman wrote.
“1. It’s ‘child with a disability’. 2. Children who may have a disability aren’t necessarily ‘unwell’. I’m glad your children don’t have a disability but stating they are luckily ‘healthy’ is implying that people with a disability are unhealthy.
“3. Children with a disability are not a burden and to imply that is offensive. I have several children with disabilities. Life can be challenging, complicated and busy, but never consider any child a ‘burden’.”
Costello wrote on Facebook that he has been “harshly treated” over his post.
“I’ve organised a whole cinema next Saturday for free to take out any SA families living with a child who has a disability. Not something I’ve done for my job just something I’ve done using my position in the media to help any groups of South Aussie’s that may have life tougher than I do,” he wrote.
“It’s a lot of work to organise and we don’t make any money out of it. In fact we lose money from doing it. But I love doing stuff like this for people.”
The response from Costello’s Facebook followers was mixed. Many parents with disabled children said they were not offended by his wording, while others said he could have taken a bit more care with his post.
“I have a son that is a bilateral amputee ... I like the words differently abled,” wrote one woman.
“Sorry Cosi you are wrong. Sometimes the best thing you can do is admit your lack of knowledge and issue an apology,” another wrote.
One parent said: “With multiple children ‘living with a disability’ I didn’t even know this was the correct way/term I was meant to speak with/use until I went to university to study disability (four years after our daughter was diagnosed as living with austim). There is an argument for both sides of the language used for describing a disability, so you will never please everyone.”
“Meh ... I’m a mum of disabled children. I didn’t take any offence in how you worded your amazing offer! #oneofthegoodguys,” another wrote.
News.com.au has contacted Mr Costello for comment.
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