The following statements were issued from the MDA office on June 1, 2001.
A STATEMENT FROM MDA PRESIDENT ROBERT M. BENNETT ON A RECENT REMARK BY JERRY LEWIS
TUCSON, Ariz., June 1, 2001 - The Muscular Dystrophy Association has a 50-year history of providing support to people with neuromuscular diseases. This takes many forms, including medical care, support groups, summer camps for children, and assistance with the purchase of wheelchairs and braces. However, one of the areas of our work of which we are the most proud is our support of equal rights and dignity for all people with disabilities.
It's for this reason that the MDA Board of Directors and all of us at the Association are deeply disturbed by a comment made by our national chairman, Jerry Lewis, during a recent television interview. I wish to make it perfectly clear that his comment does not reflect the views of MDA or its leadership. In fact, our displeasure has been communicated directly to Mr. Lewis, who admits to having expressed himself poorly and has offered his deepest apologies. He also has stated that it was not his intention to say anything to demean those with disabilities. Mr. Lewis understands that, however genuine and heartfelt his apology, as MDA's national chairman he has a responsibility to accurately reflect the Association's longstanding respect for those with disabilities and its commitment to improving their lives.
On behalf of MDA and its Board of Directors, I wish to add our apology to that of Jerry Lewis. I also want all those we serve to know that we will not only continue, but will redouble our efforts, to provide help today through services, and hope for tomorrow through worldwide research seeking treatments and cures for neuromuscular diseases. With continued support from a generous American public, I know our shared dream will come true.
JERRY LEWIS APOLOGY 06/01/01
The statement I made on the May 20 CBS Morning Show was made in error. It is certainly not how I feel. I admire people with disabilities. That's why I've worked so hard for all these years. Many of the people that I work closely with are in wheelchairs and I have never seen any of them as inferior to anyone else. They are my friends and co-workers.
I would never intentionally harm or demean anyone with a disability. I believe in my heart of hearts that I have done good work. I have spent more than 50 years trying to make a difference. To make life better for those with disabilities.
The American public has been supportive of MDA and our cause and has never let us down. I would hate to think that I had ever let them down. That's not what I'm about. I'd hate to think that all the work I have done these 50 years can be so diminished. I am a comedian by profession and a fund-raiser because I care. I have a successful career in the entertainment industry and have always felt I need to give back to the public that has supported me so tirelessly for all these years. I've done the best I knew how to do. But never at the cost of those I serve. Please accept my deepest apology.