The Hannah Montana Diabetes Connection: If you have tweenagers, or even those younger at home, they are likely very aware of the Disney television phenomenon Hannah Montana. Star Miley Cyrus pulls double duty as both Miley Stewart (normal teenager) and Hannah Montana (alter ego pop star). The show plans to tackle the issue of Type 1 diabetes.
Originally slated for last November the show was panned by those who felt it did not adequately portray the disease. In many instances the pre-viewing public considered the show to send out mixed signals at best and misinformation at worst.
While that original episode was not aired the desire to tackle the subject remained an issue for Disney and those associated with the show. New York Daily News stated, “Producers and Disney have reviewed the episode with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Afterward, they rewrote and re-edited several scenes.”
The end result is an episode featuring Mitchel Musso (Oliver) that centers around news he has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. His friends Hannah (Cyrus) and Lily (Emily Osment) work to both take in the news and then help their friend cope with the changes he will experience.
Nick Jonas (who actually does live with Type 1 diabetes) has been a guest on the show before and was originally scheduled to appear in spots related to the disease to air in the original showing.
In a letter to viewers Disney said, “We sincerely hope you will find that this revised story more accurately incorporates the subject of living with Type 1 diabetes, with the theme of the character Oliver learning to rely on his friends for support, no matter what challenges may arise.”
Diabetics can celebrate this news on two fronts. The first is that Disney took the issue seriously enough to do their best to get it right. Secondly there will be an incredible fan base that may learn something about this disease in a way classroom instruction could never do.
Disney should be applauded for seeking to bring this issue to the very audience that is most often diagnosed with the disease. You can bet the stars of the show have also learned something about the disease and Musso’s character is likely to be viewed in a new way by Type 1 diabetic fans of the show.
Where many shows work to incorporate politics into their presentation it is refreshing to see a complex disease that affects many young people given some much needed air time. It really does appear that Disney has taken corporate responsibility in developing this episode and then working through any issues required to ensure quality in content and believability in delivery.
No matter what the original intent was in creating the episode there are always going to be detractors. Some critics suggest that the best vehicle for a message on Type 1 diabetes is the newer series, Jonas. Since singer and actor Nick Jonas actually does live with the disease it is argued that he would be the best character to bring the subject to Disney viewers. I suppose the other side of the argument might be that there is a much larger fan base for Hannah Montana than Jonas. No matter how you may argue the point it is still a brave accomplishment in seeking to bring some understanding of the issue of Type 1 diabetes to fans of the program.
The original airing of “Uptight (Oliver is alright)” is scheduled for September 20th. Check local listings for show times.
