Lighthouse Statement Regarding Saturday Night Live Skit Concerning Governor Paterson

Lighthouse Statement Regarding Saturday Night Live Skit Concerning Governor Paterson

NEW YORK, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by Tara A. Cortes, PhD. RN, President and CEO of Lighthouse International:

"Lorne Michaels, the cast and writers of Saturday Night Live should know better. In their skit of Governor Paterson they crossed the line between parody and pandering to demeaning stereotypes.

Governor Paterson, like all elected officials, should be judged by his actions. To use his disability as the focal point of comedy is in very poor taste. We applaud the courage it takes every day for people who are blind and visually impaired to live productively and effectively. Saturday Night Live has taken a cheap shot at that courage. When Governor Paterson assumed office, Lighthouse International, along with many advocates for people who are visually impaired, shared a sense of pride that progress had been made in dispelling stereotypes. SNL has set that progress back. They should issue an on-air apology."

Founded in 1905, Lighthouse International is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to preserving vision and to providing critically needed health care services to help people of all ages overcome the challenges of vision loss. Through services, education, research and advocacy, the Lighthouse enables people with low vision and blindness to enjoy safe, independent and productive lives. For more information about vision loss, its causes and what you can do about it, contact Lighthouse International at 1-800-829-0500 or visit www.lighthouse.org.

Further Contact:
Leslie Gottlieb
212-821-9760

Source: Lighthouse International

CONTACT: Leslie Gottlieb, Director of Communications, Lighthouse
International, +1-212-821-9760

Web Site: http://www.lighthouse.org/

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