Migraines and Other Headache Disorders are not something to joke about!

Any of us who suffer from Migraines or other Headache Disorders have a clear understanding that they are nothing to joke about!  So you will understand my surprise and when I read a post from blogger Teri Robert; where she included a commercial from Kmart.  In this commercial, a man and woman are surprised by Kmart having a pharmacy.  They go on to state other surprises.  Please click the link below to read Teri's post and see the commercial in question....

http://m.migraine.com/blog/migraine-stigma-kmart-sears-feeding-it/


After watching this commercial I was outraged that Kmart (owned by Sears), would have the audacity to make light of a disease that has left me with debilitating pain.  I followed Teri's lead and emailed Sears.  Here is my email to them and their 'cookie cutter' response that I know other individuals have also received today after complaining....

Dear sears/Kmart,

 

I saw your commercial for Kmart pharmacy; where the woman says "I don't really have migraines." I am a sufferer of Chronic Migraines and Chronic Cluster headaches. In the last 4 years my life has virtually stopped because I have become disabled by the pain of my neurological disease! This disease has affected my life, my family's life and the lives of my friends. I am asking you to remove this ad!!!  You would never use this ad with statements like "I don't really have Parkinson's" or "I don't really have cancer". Why do you think it is okay to minimize my health issues?!

Until this ad stops, I will not be a customer of sears or Kmart and will ask anyone I know to also not be a customer. Please don't minimize some one's struggles!

 

Thank you,

Casey Russell

Dear Crussell,

 

Thank you for contacting sears.com. We apologize for any inconvenience or concern caused due to our recent pharmacy commercial. I appreciate the opportunity to assist you.

 

We regret that you found the commercial offensive as that was not our intent. We are listening to what you have to say and we appreciate the time you have taken to let us know what you think about the commercial. We are always looking for ways in which we can improve.

 

All comments, suggestions, contributions and indeed all feedback from our sears.com customers are very important to us. Please know that our management team reviews feedback submitted by our customers and that many of the changes and additions have been as a result of feedback from our customers.

 

Sincerely,

 

Elizabeth G. (nganapa)

Sears Customer Care

webcenter@customerservice.sears.com

1-800-366-3028

I also placed a phone call to Sears Executive Office on the suggestion of a fellow sufferer (Thanks Lisa M).  Where I was told that they had taken quite a few complaints regarding the 'Surprise, Pharmacy Commercial" today.  However, no decision has been made at this time regarding this commercial.

I am asking everyone to please write or call Sears and ask them to remove this commercial and to please think about what messages they are sending in the future.  You don't have to understand my daily battle to know that minimizing a person's health issues is wrong. 

Thank you!!!

You can go to Sears.com and email customer service or you make call Sears Executive Office at 847-286-2500.  

Also, check out more on this issue at This Migraine Life; Corporate insensitivity perpetuates stigma.
http://thismigrainelife.com/?p=349