A recent episode of Scream Queens, with guest star Colton Haynes, drew an impassioned response from one mother of a son with Neurofibromatosis who felt it lacked sensitivity. Titled ‘Warts and All’ the episode portrayed a character afflicted by Neurofibromatosis Type 1 — which is decidedly not “warts,” the stricken mother points out. And also not funny, according to Michelle Matti Cowden, whose son is “fighting for his life” against the condition.
“Imagine the pain a 16-year-old boy battling Neurofibromatosis would feel if he had seen your latest episode?” she tells the Scream Queen writers and producers. Like her son, Ms. Cowden displays remarkable energy, resilience and even enthusiasm in her fight. While asking for an apology, she also suggests a way to turn these lemons into lemonade by raising awareness for the world’s 2 million Neurofibromatosis sufferers. She even manages to end with a “Thank you!” We reproduce her note in its full form below.
“Can you imagine the pain a young 16-year-old boy battling Neurofibromatosis would feel if he had seen your latest episode?
My son Adam IS battling Neurofibromatosis! He DOES have subcutaneous tumors (NOT WARTS)!!! Imagine his pain if he heard the words, “I am a monster.”
Why didn’t you educate yourself and think of the pain you could cause before you allowed your writers and producers to create and air your latest episode?
It’s NOT funny! It’s NOT entertainment! Adam is fighting for his life.
You have a chance to make things right with every NF warrior….make a donation to The Children’s Tumor Foundation. Adam and so many others need a cure. Finally, a public apology would help raise awareness in a positive light, and help rectify the hurt feelings to the 2 million people worldwide battling NF! Thank you!”
