Why I’m Not Happy About The Simpsons’ Separation

I’m hearing reports today that Marge and Homer Simpson are going to separate in the new season of the programme.  I’m not happy. Not because I’m a Simpsons fan but because of the reason for the separation.

The reason will be, according to the executive producer, that Homer will develop Narcolepsy. This is a rare neurological disablity- a sleep disorder which affects the brain’s ability to regulate the normal sleep-wake cycle.

The Simpsons is a very popular programme worldwide. As a disabled person, I am disappointed to see such a popular programme, an institution, almost, showing a married couple separating because one of them has been diagnosed with a disability later in life.

What message will this plot send to fans of The Simpsons who have become disabled later in life, who may have been married or in a serious relationship before their diagnosis?

What message will this send to fans of The Simpsons who have always been disabled? People who may be married or in a serious relationship, or who may have these experiences in future?

What message will this send to fans of The Simpsons, married or otherwise, who will become disabled in the future?

A strong message about what will happen to their marriage or romantic relationship should they become disabled. A strong message about whether they should bother to enter a romantic relationship after a diagnosis of disability.

A strong message- but one that I, personally, thought was outdated and old-fashioned.

Yes, readers, sadly people do still leave partners who become disabled. Sadly, nondisabled people do still shy away from entering romantic relationships with disabled people.

But, readers, I, personally, would have liked The Simpsons to show Marge and Homer’s relationship getting stronger after Homer’s narcolepsy disagnosis.

I, personally, don’t see why a global institution like The Simpsons coudn’t consider trying to change attitudes around disability and marriage positively, rather than reinforcing negative ideas about this very important issue.

They have a global power to use Homer’s diagnosis storyline positively. I, for one, am disappointed to see them doing the exact opposite.