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New Dating Show Has Special Needs

Posted May 7th 2008 6:30PM by TMZ Staff

An ad posted on Craigslist in NY searching for "mentally disabled" people to appear on a new dating show appears to be a crock of sh**.

Unlike "Flavor of Love," "Single and Special" says they are going to be a non-exploitative "tasteful" mix of "The Bachelor" and "Life Goes On." Um. Can you say "Littlest Groom?" The unnamed production company also claims to have the endorsement of the Special Olympics. Only thing is, it doesn't.

TMZ spoke with Kirsten Seckler at the Special Olympics who told us they'd never heard of the show and definitely "did not endorse a dating show for people with intellectual disabilities."

"Single and Special" refused to speak with TMZ.

Tags: craigslist

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31. Michelle- I don't know anything about special needs people really, but you most certainly do. I'm curious, do you think they generaly have any interest in the oppisite sex, once they have come upon the appropriate age? Meaning, do they get "boy crazy" or "girl crazy" once puberty comes along?

Posted at 11:32AM on May 8th 2008 by ilovecelebritycrap

32. Also, would you let your daughter date when she is older?

Posted at 11:34AM on May 8th 2008 by ilovecelebritycrap

33. Probably not a good idea? I have a 20 yr old that is pyhsically and mentally disabled. And I have seen many of her friends with Downs, and Mild MR who can appear to be very high functioning on many levels. The question I pose (only to those with disabled loved ones) is this..... at what point do you think they will mentally and emotionally "plateau"? Because they do. Especially, those with Cp and Downs, it just comes with the package. And yes, there are many that can and do go on to marry and live independently, and that involves alot of support, case workers, personal care attendants, etc. So if you have a mental disability, it requires alot of evaluation to determine whether or not you have the ability to make adult decisions. If a 20 or 30 yr old with a developmental disibilty can actually be capable of what we know of as "consent". If a 19 yr old can't have sex with a 16yr old with out it being considered statutory rape, what can be done to protect these innocent people from being exploited and possibly abused? Because thats what this is, and unfortunatly it's some of the people on this blog that I fear the most when it come to my daughters safety.......Voyers and perpetraiters...............

Posted at 10:26PM on May 8th 2008 by michelle

34. This is exploitive in the worst sense. I have worked with ppl with intellectual disabilities for 28 yrs and I see NOTHING positive that could possibly come out of anything like this. I really hope it was a joke.

Posted at 7:01PM on May 9th 2008 by Daclane

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