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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Russel Howard & the Ramp joke

70 replies

LittleMissBirdy · 13/11/2019 20:54

Just seen on the news Russell Howard made a joke about the council who build a ridiculous ramp for a disabled child outside their home.

He was not making a joke about the girl or her parents he was making a joke about the ramp the council built.

FWIW it does sound ridiculous they build that for 40k.

My question is, is this an overreaction?

My personal opinion is that it is an overreaction he wasn’t saying anything funny about the girl more about the council

Your thoughts?

OP posts:
19lottie82 · 13/11/2019 20:56

I don’t think it’s that bad. He was mocking the ramp (which is ridiculous), not the girl.

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 13/11/2019 20:57

I think Russell is so woke these days that I really don’t think he would mock a disabled girl.

Strugglingtodomybest · 13/11/2019 20:59

My question is, is this an overreaction?

Is what an over reaction?

IWorkAtTheCheescakeFactory · 13/11/2019 21:00
Confused

Have you a link to what you’re talking about?

DingDongDenny · 13/11/2019 21:01

I love Russell Howard, but he should have checked first with the carer that she was okay for her house to be shown on TV and for it to be made a joke of

How would you like it if your house was on TV and everyone was laughing about your personal circumstances.

RosieLancs · 13/11/2019 21:02

Maybe the mum is one of those perma offended types or maybe saw a chance to get a few bucks

MustardScreams · 13/11/2019 21:03

No ones laughing at the personal circumstances, they’re laughing at the council for being ridiculous.

You don’t have to get offended by everything you know.

Original poster
LittleMissBirdy · 13/11/2019 21:07

Sorry guts I don’t know how to post the link I’ll try in a sec

OP posts:
RunningNinja79 · 13/11/2019 21:09

DingDong How do you know Russell didn't get permission?

That wasn't the first time I saw that house. It was in the news somewhere and shared on facebook (I think). I definitely have seen it before. A while ago now though.

He wasn't mocking the house, but the council who built the ramp.

NeutralJanet · 13/11/2019 21:09

The mum of the child who uses the ramp was in the press 5 years ago saying the design of it is ridiculous so I'm not sure why she's getting so upset about Russell basically saying the same thing now?

www.google.com/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/news/uk/459535/Mum-s-fury-after-council-WIPES-OUT-front-garden-to-install-40k-disabled-ramp-for-daughter/amp

OP posts:
DingDongDenny · 13/11/2019 21:13

I imagine the mum would want to choose whether her house was on TV or not and people got to laugh about the ramp she has to use on a daily basis, to get her daughter in and out of the house.

I don't think that makes her 'perma offended' or after money - what a shitty thing to say about her.

No way would I want my house on the telly in a comedy show like that and yes the joke was meant to be on the council - bit she lives there.

Venger · 13/11/2019 21:13

The photograph and comment was part of a piece about how poorly disabled people are treated and how many organisations (and people) consider them to be an afterthought rather than a priority. That ramp is an example of that treatment as it showed no consideration for the people using it and living in that house but meant the council could tick their little box to say they'd provided access.

Fakeflowersaremynewnormal · 13/11/2019 21:13

The ramp in question is a 60m long slalom effect ramp with multiple levels that takes up the entire large front garden. This is due to the house being on a hill. You can find a picture of it if you Google.
I can understand the mum in question is grateful for the ramp as an improvement on what she had before and doesn't like being made a joke of, however it's clear Russell was joking about what he felt was a poor design of a structure by the council engineers. I get the idea his point is if sensible ramps are designed then it's more likely for them to be installed in more places. If people think crazy ramps like the one in question are the only type available they may be put off installing them in their business or whatever.

SoupDragon · 13/11/2019 21:16

“Seeing your home appear on TV and folk laughing is the worst feeling ever. I’m truly upset at your remarks and jokes about our ramp at our home.*

This is the beginning to what the mother said so it's pretty clear he didn't ask permission and she explained why she is not happy.

IHaveBrilloHair · 13/11/2019 21:16

He was mocking the ramp, which is bloody ridiculous.
I have a ramp, for my wheelchair, Dd has been to see him twice doing his stand up and loves him.

The mother is being a dick, as are the council who built that.

Ginkythefangedhellpigofdoom · 13/11/2019 21:18

He is taking the piss out of the council and the ridiculous rules and regulations and health and safety "issues" sometimes pushing all logic out of the window.

Not a disabled child and her family.

MummytoCSJH · 13/11/2019 21:22

The entire point of the 'joke' was to make people aware of how inaccessible so many places are for disabled people! He wasn't being offensive to them at all. She shared the pictures on the internet and criticised the council for the ramp years agoHmm

KilljoysDutch · 13/11/2019 21:25

Interesting how she's upset about it being on the TV but she took her story to the press twice including recently which was the article the show picked up on. The show always starts with recent news stories.

He was mocking the ramp and pointing out how awful it was same as she did in the papers.

IWorkAtTheCheescakeFactory · 13/11/2019 21:29

Thanks for links.

That ramp is disgraceful! For £40k they could have made a lift to take her down to the pavement!

Can’t see the mums point TBH. She was complaining about the exact same thing as RH is highlighting. You would think she would be glad to have it highlighted again. He was certainly not making fun of her child.

alittlequinnie · 13/11/2019 21:38

I never understand the fuss about this ramp.

The house has a really really steep incline from the street to the front door.

My understanding is that there is a maximum gradiant that a ramp has to be to ensure the chair doesn't run too fast down the ramp or prove too difficult to push up the ramp.

I expect that there were only two choices - the family could stay in the house with the ramp that was built to ensure the gradiant wasn't too steep or move.

A pavement lift would have been at least the same amount and would have required regular and expensive maintenance for many years.

I think the Council did the best they could with what they had...

... and I say that as the mother of a disabled daugher who uses a wheelchair and has a ramp to her house!

Gingaaarghpussy · 13/11/2019 21:46

Must be fun in the winter.

Oooh fuck! As they slide down the first bit.
Ouch! As they hit the end.
All the way to the bottom.

At least she has a ramp.

weymouthswanderingmermaid · 13/11/2019 21:55

This is ridiculous. It was the mother who took this to the press initially, she was the one who put it into the public domain. It's really clear that RH is on her side, and is mocking the council. The fact that he explicitly talks at the about the difficulties people with disabilities face and that it's unacceptable makes it clear he's on their side!!!

lidoshuffle · 13/11/2019 22:12

As a pp said, there are maximum inclines a reamp can have, otherwise it is hard work usign a wheelchair. To get up to the high up front door and with only the depth of a smallish front garden in which to achieve it, the ramp has to zigzag.

Whoever designed it didn't to it for a laugh or from incompetence.

Strugglingtodomybest · 14/11/2019 05:20

Thanks for the links. I do remember this being in the papers years ago, so yes, I think she's over reacting.