Boston Marathon survivor Adrianne Haslet-Davis agreed to appear on NBC’s Sunday political show Meet The Press , only to become so upset that she left the studio in tears.
Haslet-Davis is a former dancer, who tragically lost her left foot in the Boston Marathon bombing almost one-year ago, requested that the names of the suspects charged with the attack not be mentioned while she was in the studio.
According to NBC News spokeswoman Erika Masonhall, Haslet-Davis was booked to participate in a round table to discuss the events that changed her life forever.
Mashonhall stated that due to the nature of the discussion, Meet The Press could not guarantee that her request would be granted and regrets any distress caused by the miscommunication.
A source at NBC stated the Boston Marathon survivor “was never in the room where the taping was happening. She had a conversation in a prep room with producers and then decided to leave. So no cameras were ever rolling…”
On her website, the Boston Marathon survivor wrote a scathing letter to all those involved with the Meet The Press appearance, saying in part:
“I did specifically ask of two things for this interview, one being that his name (and you know to whom I refer to) not be mentioned in my presence. Your decision to back out on that promise you made and the horrific way you brought that decision to my attention just minutes prior to taping was not only a cowardice move but a dishonorable one as well.”
“To say that I am hurt is an understatement, for you not only disrespected me, you disrespected the survivors of the bombing and the victims memories by blatantly disregarding this request and putting the value of a terrorist’s name, who put a city in turmoil and caused irrevocable damage physically and emotionally to people of this city, over Boston’s integrity, fortitude, and my personal well being.”
Moreover, the Boston Marathon survivor took to Twitter to express her disgust with Meet The Press :
Cannot believe @meetthepress chose to use the bombers name instead of respect their guest. Had to walk off set crying.
— AdrianneHD (@AdrianneHaslet) April 11, 2014
I feel so disrespected @meetthepress I asked politely yesterday and you said yes. Now you choose to use the name instead
— AdrianneHD (@AdrianneHaslet) April 11, 2014
David Gregory — who hosts the show — also took to Twitter saying:
I’m so sorry @AdrianneHaslet was upset tdy + had a bad experience w MTP. As I told her, her comfort level is far more imp than any show
— David Gregory (@davidgregory) April 11, 2014
A source says that NBC News President Deborah Turness reached out to Haslet-Davis to express her concern about the upsetting incident.
The Boston Marathon survivor stated on her website, “I will not be a victim, not on anyone’s level, whether it be from a terrorist, or the press.”
On April 15, 2013 two bombs went off near the finish line at the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring 264 others, several of which required amputations.
[Image via Adrianne Haslet-Davis/Twitter ]