New Gerber baby has Down syndrome; can't get covered by Gerber life?

Brian Anderson

Executive Editor
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Gerber made a lot of news this week by picking a baby with Down syndrome for the first time as its 2018 Gerber Baby, but it ain't all good news. Now some parents of children with Down syndrome are calling the company hypocritical.

"Every year, we choose the baby who best exemplifies Gerber's longstanding heritage of recognizing that every baby is a Gerber baby," Bill Partyka, CEO and president of Gerber, told the TODAY Show.

But as the article linked below says, others saw the appointment as a hypocritical way for Gerber to publicly celebrate kids with Down syndrome while its sister company, Gerber Life, denied them life insurance.

People are celebrating a heartwarming new Gerber 'spokesbaby' — but parents of children with Down syndrome have a major issue with the pick
 
I can certainly understand the confusion and concern. But nowhere on the Gerber Life website does it say they sell baby food.

Nor does the Gerber (food) site indicate they sell life insurance.

Ford sells Mustangs but if you want a 4 legged horse you will need to go to the Ford ranch.

Fake news . . .

Yeah but somarco, that's the world we live in now.
Right or wrong, I can see that easily becoming an "issue" with some folks. Its not like the companies have totally different names. I'm thinking they didn't think that through very well. Of course, whats the saying... publicity is good, whether good or bad?
 
Another internet news piece where the parents are quote "outraged"

Customer has a down syndrome baby, poor girl has had heart surgery in first year of life and has many health complications. Parents need to understand that Gerber is not running a charity.
 
Another internet news piece where the parents are quote "outraged"

Customer has a down syndrome baby, poor girl has had heart surgery in first year of life and has many health complications. Parents need to understand that Gerber is not running a charity.
So she could be the face of Gerber on a policy for which she wouldn't be approved. "Outrage" might be a silly response, but you have to admit, it's at least ironic.
 
What would be hilarious is if they put the Down's baby face as the baby face logo on the Gerber Life apps.

But srsly.. we all know why Gerber Life is called "Gerber Life," and why they use the SAME baby face image as on the baby food product...
 
What would be hilarious is if they put the Down's baby face as the baby face logo on the Gerber Life apps.

But srsly.. we all know why Gerber Life is called "Gerber Life," and why they use the SAME baby face image as on the baby food product...
They won't reprint all those brochures or anything. It's the baby of the year, not permanent. Gerber's just trying to look P.C. to get more Lib business. Looks like it might've backfired on them. :)
 
Outrage is probably a little strong, but then I don't have a child with Down's Syndrome. And while Gerber baby products and Gerber Life may be legally separate companies, you'd have a hard time telling that from their marketing.

Gerber owns this one and deserves whatever backlash they get over it.
 
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