Big Brother actress Farida sparks anti-disability controversy after calling MS sufferer Kerry ‘lazy’… while viewers call her ‘disgusting and inappropriate’ for ‘outdated rhetoric’: ‘She casually insults her disabilities’
Make-up artist Farida, 50, has come under fire for her “insensitive” comments about NHS manager Kerry, 40, who has multiple sclerosis.
This week, the housemates of the show, which returned to screens on Sunday, were faced with a trial that involved working for a fictional company chaired by Big Brother, with big wigs, middle management and bottoms in hierarchical positions.
At the start of the trial, both Farida and Kerry, who face eviction on Friday night’s show, were placed in the “middle management” category, but the former grumbled about his unwillingness to commit to the physical work.
She later took aim at Kerry for not engaging in the physicality of tasks, such as kitchen tasks, which led to an explosion on People with disabilities increased”.
Angry viewers branded Farida “out of order”, “disgusting” and “ignorant” over her comments, writing: “Nothing gets me down more than lazy rhetoric.” I don’t know how much pain, fatigue, etc. affects a person felt in that moment.”
Blow after blow: Make-up artist Farida, 50, has come under fire for her “insensitive” comments about NHS manager Kerry, 40, who suffers from multiple sclerosis
On the way: Kerry suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS) – a disease that can affect the brain and spinal cord and cause a variety of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, feeling or balance
Anger: She later targeted Kerry for not engaging in the physicality of the tasks, such as tasks in the kitchen, which resulted in a blow-up
The NHS website says: “Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, feeling or balance .”
“It is a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause severe disability.” Symptoms include fatigue, difficulty walking, muscle stiffness and cramps, problems with balance and coordination, and problems with thinking, learning and planning.
During her visit to the diary room, Farida said: “Kerry is the lazy one.” No help with washing, drying, cutting or vegetables. Yes, she might be proud that she got promoted because she is now even higher than middle management…
“This title will be a great honor for her, but I hope that it is full of counting and trains not her mouth, but her mindset, her brain and her hands.”
There was shock online following her comments.
Viewers wrote: “People are somehow more annoyed by Kerry being Gemma Collins (which I think is just because she’s tall and from Essex, so prejudice) but not by Farida casually talking about Kerry’s Disabilities and physical problems insulted…”
“Did Farida just call a #MS patient lazy?!? #Ableism #BigBrother… Farida’s attempt to turn everyone against Kerry for not helping with housework is the same kind of ableism that paints disabled people who can’t work as lazy. Absolutely disgusting…
“For example, what do you contribute in terms of support or morale, Farida?” Yes, exactly #BBUK… Sure, she doesn’t chop vegetables or clean, but she makes everyone feel emotionally supported and valued, doesn’t she … @bbuk
Divided: Other viewers were more divided on the issue, with some defending Farida’s comments
“Farida has to go! Absolutely disgusting women and bullying someone with MS!!… Okay, but as a disabled person myself, nothing annoys me more than lazy rhetoric. I don’t know how much pain, fatigue, etc. a person feels…
“Farida calls someone with a disability, especially MS, lazy… I don’t judge Kerry and I have defended Farida before because she has faced unfair criticism, but be honest, you can’t call someone with MS lazy. Are you kidding me?” You think the scooter is there for fun or what…
“Farida doesn’t seem like a very nice person, saying that about someone with MS is horrible, every time some of the housemates talk she takes over every time…
“Not Farida calls Kerry who has MS lazy… Not Farida calls Kerry lazy when she has MS… Farida clearly doesn’t understand what MS is or how it affects the body. So ignorant when talking about Kerry #BBUK…
“Not that Farida is talking about the woman living with MS being lazy in the diary room…Farida complaining about Kerry, a woman with MS, being ‘lazy’ is not a good look…Farida calling Kerry , who suffers from MS, is “lazy”. was actually so out of order…
“How is Kerry lazy, she has MS!” As for Kerry working her mouth, I don’t know how dare Farida get involved in everyone’s business and constantly yell at people! #bbuk… Farida knows Kerry has MS???..
GROSS: Farida and Kerry were both evicted on Friday night’s show after arguments broke out on multiple occasions – Kerry was disdainful of Farida’s online makeup business and Farida was annoyed by Kerry’s work ethic
“Why is she being shamed for not doing physical tasks? …Dearest Farida, Kerry has MS.”
However, other users reacted with the words: “What?!” You all come into big brother’s house as equals, so you all have to help. I understand Kerry’s MS, but Farida has barely talked about Kerry’s disabilities…
“Regardless of the person, I would expect them to help as much as possible…Kerry is capable of doing more than equality means we shouldn’t infantilise people with MS, no one is asking her to do more than that, what their disability entails.” allowed…
“But she mostly complains, gets angry and starts dramas. Farida is just being honest and Kerry is hiding her true feelings.”
Farida and Kerry were both evicted on Friday night’s show after arguments broke out on multiple occasions – with Kerry expressing his disdain for Farida’s online makeup business and Farida being annoyed by Kerry’s work ethic.