Gluten Free Works Gluten Free Resources News and Tips
According to Deadline, actor Jennifer Esposito is leaving Blue Bloods because of her celiac disease. Jennifer’s doctor is requiring her to work a reduced schedule after she collapsed on the set and that doesn’t fit into CBS’s plans for her character.
This is CBS’s take on the situation, so Jennifer Esposito took to her Twitter account to set the record straight.
According to her Twitter account, “CBS put me on unpaid leave and has blocked me from working anywhere else after my doctor said I needed a reduced schedule due to celiac. CBS didn’t listen to my doc and I collapsed on set. Which everyone saw! After a week off my doc said I could return to work but CBS implied that I was not truly ill and this was a scheme to get a raise! It’s been almost two months without bringing me back to work + keeping me from working anywhere else!… Absolutely shameful behavior.”
It is shocking to me that CBS doesn’t understand that celiac disease is an autoimmune disease and it can impose limitations on the body. Celiac disease is genetic, so having it is beyond our control and it is something we cannot change. To imply that anyone would ‘act’ sick who has celiac disease is offensive and just plain ridiculous. Any type of stressful environment has a very physical impact on my body, so I can only imagine what it is like to fulfill the demands of filming a television show.
Deadline says CBS TV Studios is leaving the door for Esposito to come back. “She is a wonderfully talented actress and we hope that she will be able to return at some point in the future,” the studio said. Now this statement from CBS is quite confusing to me. If they do not feel they can film her scenes to coincide with her reduced schedule, then how would she ever be able to come back?
If you feel Jennifer Esposito is being bullied and/or is the recipient of discrimination, then let your voice be heard by leaving feedback for CBS on their Twitter and Facebook accounts. A talented actor is being prevented from working due to an autoimmune disease, so let’s do what we can to get Jennifer back to work!
—————————
Author Information: Jennifer D. Harris, Atlanta, GA
Jennifer D. Harris, http://www.jenniferglutenfreeingeorgia.blogspot.com
Atlanta Gluten-Free Examiner
Program Chair, Atlanta Metro CeliacsTwitter@jenniferGFinGA
Looks like a consult with the ADA – Americans With Disabilities Act is in order….
You could try requesting reasonable accomodations.
Love and Light,
Mary