The Issue

On Jan 30, 2026, a bakery worker told 104.1 KRBE host her arthritis slowed cake writing. Hosts mocked her “chicken scratch” handwriting, trembling hands, and childlike skills — then edited and shared it across podcasts and social media to thousands.
Cumulus admitted it violated policy and removed it privately. No public apology. No on-air correction.

Why It Matters

Radio thrives on humor. But repackaged mockery of private people disclosing medical conditions isn’t spontaneous — it’s endorsed content. 54M US adults have arthritis; public corrections should match original reach (CDC).

A Personal Note

As a person living with psoriatic arthritis, I know firsthand how public ridicule of a medical condition causes real harm. This petition was also motivated by accounts from family members and others living with arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. When that ridicule is amplified across platforms, the damage doesn’t stay online.

What We’re Asking

Cumulus Media:

• Strengthen standards for private individuals
• Ensure ridicule of non-public individuals is not promoted as entertainment
• Review content before podcast and social media redistribution
• Publicly apologize for mocking arthritis and amplifying harm

Full unedited audio: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube.
Timeline: houstoncivicvoice.blogspot.com

The cake accident making fun of a personally arthritis.

Sign if public trust demands public accountability.