Vermont Teddy Bears gone crazy in love Midd alum CEO at odds with mental health groups

Author: Max Nardini

As Valentine's Day approaches, one well-known fact becomes even more strikingly clear: romantic attachment can lead to absolute insanity. The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory's (VTBF) newest holiday stuffed teddy, the "Crazy for You Bear," has made some people mad for the bear and made others just downright mad.

The 15 inch teddy bear is dressed in a straightjacket with a red heart stitched on the front. The accompanying card reads, "Can't Eat, Can't Sleep, My Heart's Racing. Diagnosis - Crazy for You!" The advertisement on the company Web site continues, "Trust us. She'll go nuts over this Bear!"

Several organizations, including the Vermont section of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) were so angered by the bear and its message that they, along with three other organizations, recently met with VTBF President Elisabeth Robert '78, also a Middlebury College Trustee, to express their concerns. These groups cited the bear's trivialization of the suffering of the mentally ill and their proper treatment as the major issue of controversy.

While extending her apologies to anyone offended by the bear, Robert stated that it would be sold through Valentine's Day and then be terminated.

But the spokespeople of the four organizations that met with Robert claimed that she promised to cease productions and marketing of the "Crazy Bear" immediately. The bear, however, is still listed on the VTBF's Web site and, until it recently sold out, was still available for sale.

Members of the Middlebury community expressed mixed opinions on the matter. Maggie Higgins '08 stated that it had "a really cute name, which does not have a negative context, but a not so cute image [the straightjacketed bear]."

"If you worked or had a close relationship with the mentally ill, I see how it could bother you," Higgins said.

Richard Daniel '08 agreed. "I think it's funny, but I can see where these groups [such as the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill] are coming from," he said.

Commons Residential Advisor for the Wonnacott Commons Marshall Traverse was put off by the straightjacket, but felt the response to the product was overblown. "The idea of a straightjacket is a violent image, more of a restraint. However, I don't feel it should have caused that much controversy," he said.

When in stock, the "Crazy Bear" is available for order at www.VermontTeddyBear.com or by phone at 1-800-829-BEAR.