Big Brother 22: All-Stars live feed viewers have caught Memphis Garrett and Daniele Donato Briones criticizing and making fun of Ian Terry's autistic rocking. From day one in the All-Stars house, Ian has been openly discussing his autism with the other houseguests. He has explained that the rocking motion is particularly soothing whenever he's feeling too anxious. As such, Ian can be regularly found swinging on the backyard hammock. He has opened up about feeling more comfortable with his diagnosis at this point in his life, no longer feeling that he needs to hide it from others.
Given that the backyard is often closed for different reasons, the fans have urged the Big Brother 22 producers to provide Ian with a rocking chair. Ian was not been given a rocking chair, but it seemed like the other All-Stars were respectful of his autistic behavior. All in all, stimming is a very common behavior for people who are diagnosed with autism. Stimming can be any repetitive movement or sound that stimulates a person with autism... including the rocking motion. Unfortunately, certain BB players are now being critical of Ian.
Throughout the Big Brother: All-Stars season, Memphis has thrown out a few "jokes" about Ian's autistic behavior. However, those remarks escalated this week. First, Memphis entered a room where Daniele, Nicole, and Christmas were in. Memphis first made fun of Ian's puppet friend. "He stresses me out. He's always rocking. He scares me," Memphis declared. Then, Memphis "joked" that his nightmares would consist of Ian rocking back and forth. Nicole Franzel and Daniele laughed out loud. During a separate conversation, Daniele told Nicole that she didn't want to be mean by agreeing with Memphis. However, Dani also said: "When [Ian] is sitting there rocking, I can't even look at him sometimes, because his constant movement stresses me out."
A few former Big Brother houseguests are now blasting the people who are being intolerant to Ian's autism in the house. Angie Rockstar (BB20) talked about her autistic stepson and how he's constantly bullied in school, adding that grown adults on a TV show should do better. Evel Dick (BB8 and BB13) reacted to Memphis' remarks by saying, "What the f**k is wrong with them?" Nicole Anthony (BB21 and BB22) also called their laughter at Ian's expense "disgusting."
The fans are hoping to see less of these ableist remarks from BB players. There have been times when the producers call the houseguests into the Diary Room to explain how something they're saying is problematic... and this feels like a case for another intervention.
Big Brother 22: All-Stars airs Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 8pm EST on CBS.
Sources: Angie Rockstar, Evel Dick, Nicole Anthony