Mixed review.
So here I am at 1:30 in the AM Posting. Well, I just got done watching 'The Ringer' and had to get my thoughts down.
To set the stage, I need to let you know a little bit about my past. I was a job coach/community access specialist for adults with disabilities for five years. I had a need to see this movie.
It was very good. It was funny and a real feel good movie. And most of all it treated the disabled population with respect and dignity. It was a great shout out for the Special Olympics.
Then I watched the special features.
The actor, writer, and the director all gave moving testimonials. They all said how great these 'kids' were.
KIDS?????
Arrrrrrgh! Man, that burns my muffins!
Here they are promoting equality and acceptance while telling the world that the entire population are children. As long as people think of the disabled as little kids, they will always be looked down upon.
The average person with a disability has put up with crap that would make the average 'normal' person ball up in the fetal position, cry, and never want to get up.
They are PEOPLE.
OK, I feel a little better now.
Thought for the day -
Isn't it about time for us to treat people like people?
To set the stage, I need to let you know a little bit about my past. I was a job coach/community access specialist for adults with disabilities for five years. I had a need to see this movie.
It was very good. It was funny and a real feel good movie. And most of all it treated the disabled population with respect and dignity. It was a great shout out for the Special Olympics.
Then I watched the special features.
The actor, writer, and the director all gave moving testimonials. They all said how great these 'kids' were.
KIDS?????
Arrrrrrgh! Man, that burns my muffins!
Here they are promoting equality and acceptance while telling the world that the entire population are children. As long as people think of the disabled as little kids, they will always be looked down upon.
The average person with a disability has put up with crap that would make the average 'normal' person ball up in the fetal position, cry, and never want to get up.
They are PEOPLE.
OK, I feel a little better now.
Thought for the day -
Isn't it about time for us to treat people like people?
posted by Drewpy Drew at 1:26 AM
9 Comments:
This comment has been removed by the author.
i totally agree with you!! my son has 2 autistic boys in his class and he treats them just like any of the other kids. we need more movies like that to show that people are people and should be treated as such.
i am totally with you AND i loved that movie.
Haven't seen the movie, but I hear you on that. More mature than some "normal" people I've worked with.
Been there, done that, shrink wrapped the bosses brief case. (or did you shrink wrap mine, I forget.)
DB
I haven't seen the movie (I heard it actually got support from the Special Olympics) but I used to go bowling once a week with people who were training for the Special Olympics so I know EXACTLY what you mean!
Hey, I went to see Charlotte's Web last night being performed at a local theater. I sat in one last available seat, right smack in the middle of a group of disabled adults. I loved it. The dude behind me shook my hand, and we talked about Ohio State because he had a sweatshirt on from there; another dude, after the first chick came out on stage, said, "Hiya Toots!" Cracked me up. They are people. And I would love to get to know them, and know about their lives.
Hi Drew.
Off the subject...but I knew you in high school. You were friends with Nick L and your locker was near the band room. I know it's "geeky" to remember this all these years later, but I have always remembered your smile. Oh, and I also remember #20
"20. I was a punk rocker in the 80's"
I like your blog. Keep up the writing.
JHS alum
I haven't seen the movie, but I'm surprised that comment made the extras segment of the DVD. Some people just don't think about how what they say can influence others to think a certain way about a group of people.
It amazes me how clueless people are sometimes. My mom is blind and sometimes when we go out to dinner, a waiter or waitress will ask me what she wants to order. "Um... I dunno. Ask HER." I always say.
But, I've been exposed to disabled people my whole life. Some people haven't, and it's not their comfort zone, so they say dumb things...
Like your blog, by the way!
Our society constructs the concept of what constitutes a disability. It is paternalistic and should be addressed each time it happens. That's why I call Perry a man and not a boy. He is in his 30's.
It is also better to use "people first" language i.e. a man, woman or boy or girl who HAS a disability, and not a "disabled person". Until we can do this easily our children who have challenges either mentally or physically will still be looked at as different.
Our disability should not be what defines us as a person.
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