Wow! I haven't blogged since August - so sorry y'all. It has been a busy busy busy few months here in the GPCDD offices. Two Council meetings, two new Crossroads Magazines and of course MEGA have kept me on my toes.
MEGA was great. This year was my first MEGA Conference, and I learned so much from the people who have "been there, done that." Around 300 people from the disability community traveled to Casper, Wyo. for the largest, three-day, cross-disability conference in the state. I met a ton of wonderful people, learned many things and actually had a really good time.
MEGA 2008 had the highest number of speakers who were people with disabilities ever. Self-advocates performed and educated the attendees on the importance of choice, self-determination and independence. Our keynote speakers were Dale DiLeo and Marilyn Martinez and their presentations were uplifting, motivating and informative.
We were on two TV stations and one newspaper - as well as the Crossroads radio show.
I can't say enough good things about MEGA, or about the people who helped the Council plan and put it on. :)
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!
Sam
Monday, December 1, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Simple Jack is Simple Satire
This morning I received an email regarding the new Ben Stiller movie, "Tropic Thunder." In the movie, Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and a cast of other comedians play actors who think they're in a war movie, but find out that they are actually smack dab in the middle of a real war. The email suggested that we in the disability community should prepare to take action against this movie because it makes fun of people with intellectual disabilities.
Apparently, Ben Stiller's character, Tugg Speedman, is a fading action star who years earlier failed in his bid for an Oscar as "Simple Jack," a man with an intellectual disability. Jack sports a bad "bowl" haircut, bad teeth, overalls, etc etc - all a true mocking of the way Hollywood sometimes portrays people with disabilities. The tag line reads, "Once upon a time there was a retard," and, "What he doesn't have in his head, he makes up for in his heart." Apparently, as part of the movie synopsis about "Simple Jack," a critic is quoted as saying, "one of the most retarded performances in cinema history."
Okay, it's offensive. Okay, it uses the "R" word, a lot. But should we picket this movie? Do we have the right to call for censorship? Does that truly empower people?
I struggle with the idea of taking "massive action" against a movie, especially a movie that is clearly a comedy. Are they really picking on people with intellectual disabilities? Nope. They are picking on Hollywood, making a satire of the industry and how foolish actors and studios can be when it comes to portraying real life and real people.
Besides, to truly protest this movie because of "Simple Jack," gives it more "power" if you will - people will want to see it when folks in the disability community say not to. It's human nature - when you tell someone not to do something, well, they want to do it. Why not let people see this movie and draw their own conclusions? I bet most everyone who sees the movie understands that it is a play on Hollywood, not on people with disabilities.
We should not fuel this political correctness hulabaloo if we want people to take the important issues seriously. When we attempt to censor people, people first language becomes "PC," instead of a movement or a philosophy. Perhaps instead of calling for massive action and censorship we should embrace this movie BECAUSE like our philosophy tells us, we want people with disabilities to be treated like everyone else and trust me, Hollywood portrays any and all people for entertainment purposes, and they don't always do it well or with respect.
I think this is proof that people with disabilities are more accepted members of society, when people are brave enough to include them in satire... don't you?
Apparently, Ben Stiller's character, Tugg Speedman, is a fading action star who years earlier failed in his bid for an Oscar as "Simple Jack," a man with an intellectual disability. Jack sports a bad "bowl" haircut, bad teeth, overalls, etc etc - all a true mocking of the way Hollywood sometimes portrays people with disabilities. The tag line reads, "Once upon a time there was a retard," and, "What he doesn't have in his head, he makes up for in his heart." Apparently, as part of the movie synopsis about "Simple Jack," a critic is quoted as saying, "one of the most retarded performances in cinema history."
Okay, it's offensive. Okay, it uses the "R" word, a lot. But should we picket this movie? Do we have the right to call for censorship? Does that truly empower people?
I struggle with the idea of taking "massive action" against a movie, especially a movie that is clearly a comedy. Are they really picking on people with intellectual disabilities? Nope. They are picking on Hollywood, making a satire of the industry and how foolish actors and studios can be when it comes to portraying real life and real people.
Besides, to truly protest this movie because of "Simple Jack," gives it more "power" if you will - people will want to see it when folks in the disability community say not to. It's human nature - when you tell someone not to do something, well, they want to do it. Why not let people see this movie and draw their own conclusions? I bet most everyone who sees the movie understands that it is a play on Hollywood, not on people with disabilities.
We should not fuel this political correctness hulabaloo if we want people to take the important issues seriously. When we attempt to censor people, people first language becomes "PC," instead of a movement or a philosophy. Perhaps instead of calling for massive action and censorship we should embrace this movie BECAUSE like our philosophy tells us, we want people with disabilities to be treated like everyone else and trust me, Hollywood portrays any and all people for entertainment purposes, and they don't always do it well or with respect.
I think this is proof that people with disabilities are more accepted members of society, when people are brave enough to include them in satire... don't you?
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Iron Man Has a Disability
I finally saw the Iron Man movie and I must say, it was TOTALLY COOL! Okay, so I am a child of the 80's and have been rootin' for Robert Downey Jr. to get his act together, so I would imagine that biased me a bit, however, even without my 80's bias, I loved it. What an amazing transformation for his character Tony Stark - and it all stemmed from a disability.
Seriously.
I would think a large, glowing aparatus in the middle of your chest that keeps you alive would qualify as a disability, wouldn't you? There I sat in the movie theatre, enjoying the flick, eating Junior Mints and being totally philosophical about the disability that changed Tony Stark into Iron Man.
It made him a person with a disability. It also made him a superhero.
What a wonderful opportunity I have in my line of work - I meet superheroes every day. People with disabilities, working to make the world a better place for everyone. A place of acceptance, inclusion and independence. Of course, I don't think any of them fly around in an iron suit (although I wouldn't put it past George G.), but they make a difference every day in their own way. They speak out for change, and for the right to live their lives as they so choose.
Afterall, isn't that what superheroes do? In addition to saving the damsel in distress and stopping the evil villain from turning New York City into a large plate of jello, superheroes in general make the world a better place. :)
Seriously.
I would think a large, glowing aparatus in the middle of your chest that keeps you alive would qualify as a disability, wouldn't you? There I sat in the movie theatre, enjoying the flick, eating Junior Mints and being totally philosophical about the disability that changed Tony Stark into Iron Man.
It made him a person with a disability. It also made him a superhero.
What a wonderful opportunity I have in my line of work - I meet superheroes every day. People with disabilities, working to make the world a better place for everyone. A place of acceptance, inclusion and independence. Of course, I don't think any of them fly around in an iron suit (although I wouldn't put it past George G.), but they make a difference every day in their own way. They speak out for change, and for the right to live their lives as they so choose.
Afterall, isn't that what superheroes do? In addition to saving the damsel in distress and stopping the evil villain from turning New York City into a large plate of jello, superheroes in general make the world a better place. :)
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
A Call To All Employers
I received this in an email from Aaron Snyder today and thought I would post it here on the Crossroads blog. -- Sam J.
My name is Aaron Snyder and I have moderate cerebral palsy. I went to an audio recording school down in Orlando Florida to learn more about my passion for music production and audio. My whole intent of going to this school was to learn what I love, get a full time job and get off of social security. I just wanted to live a normal life. Go to work for eight hours five days a week and make enough money to make a living. It has been a year and still no full time job.
Now please take notice that the field I am trying to get into is a very competetive field but I am starting to think that because I have a "disability" it is harder for me to get in. There are all of these stereotypes for people but what everyone needs to realize is when it all comes down to it we are all human beings and we need to look past the differences and get people jobs.
Thanks for reading,
Aaron
My name is Aaron Snyder and I have moderate cerebral palsy. I went to an audio recording school down in Orlando Florida to learn more about my passion for music production and audio. My whole intent of going to this school was to learn what I love, get a full time job and get off of social security. I just wanted to live a normal life. Go to work for eight hours five days a week and make enough money to make a living. It has been a year and still no full time job.
Now please take notice that the field I am trying to get into is a very competetive field but I am starting to think that because I have a "disability" it is harder for me to get in. There are all of these stereotypes for people but what everyone needs to realize is when it all comes down to it we are all human beings and we need to look past the differences and get people jobs.
Thanks for reading,
Aaron
Thursday, June 12, 2008
No, you can't have my rights - I'm still using them
This morning I saw a pin.
The pin said, "No, you can't have my rights - I'm still using them."
At first I just sort of giggled to myself and thought, "that's pretty clever." But then, as I sat down to work on an article for the magazine, I started to think about what the pin was really saying and it bothered me.
So often we joke about the things we truly mean, but are uncomfortable talking about. It's a way to make a statement without being held entirely accountable for it. Was the button as funny as I originally thought? Or as clever?
My rights are so ingrained in me, so willingly given, that I rarely if ever think about them. I spend my money the way I want, I go to bed when I feel like it, I eat what I want and when, I drive my car, I go on vacation, I talk on the phone, I pick out the clothes I wear each and every day. These are simple, small rights that I take for granted because I do them without thought, without asking for permission. I want to stay up and watch a movie even though I need to get up in the morning and go to work? No problem. I want to eat cereal for dinner tonight? Can do.
Do people with disabilities have the same rights? Or do they have the rights "we" think they should have? Or only a few rights because those other rights are just a little too much for them to handle?
People with disabilities should have the right to happiness, and unhappiness. Sure, I can stay up late and watch the movie but I'll be tired the next day. And of course, if I only eat cereal for dinner I will most likely be hungry, but those are my consequences and I have a right to them. The same goes for someone with a disability, they should have the right to make good, and bad, decisions, just like anybody else.
They should have their rights, period the end.
Each day in this role, I find myself impressed time and time again with self-advocates, who are out there taking risks and doing what they can to make the world a more accepting and better place for all people with disabilities. They are out there fighting for their rights.
For me, there is great peace in knowing that they are paving the way for tomorrow, and that children with disabilities may have fewer obstacles to overcome in their lives because people with disabilities are tackling those obstacles right now.
All this, from a little pin.
-- Sam J.
The pin said, "No, you can't have my rights - I'm still using them."
At first I just sort of giggled to myself and thought, "that's pretty clever." But then, as I sat down to work on an article for the magazine, I started to think about what the pin was really saying and it bothered me.
So often we joke about the things we truly mean, but are uncomfortable talking about. It's a way to make a statement without being held entirely accountable for it. Was the button as funny as I originally thought? Or as clever?
My rights are so ingrained in me, so willingly given, that I rarely if ever think about them. I spend my money the way I want, I go to bed when I feel like it, I eat what I want and when, I drive my car, I go on vacation, I talk on the phone, I pick out the clothes I wear each and every day. These are simple, small rights that I take for granted because I do them without thought, without asking for permission. I want to stay up and watch a movie even though I need to get up in the morning and go to work? No problem. I want to eat cereal for dinner tonight? Can do.
Do people with disabilities have the same rights? Or do they have the rights "we" think they should have? Or only a few rights because those other rights are just a little too much for them to handle?
People with disabilities should have the right to happiness, and unhappiness. Sure, I can stay up late and watch the movie but I'll be tired the next day. And of course, if I only eat cereal for dinner I will most likely be hungry, but those are my consequences and I have a right to them. The same goes for someone with a disability, they should have the right to make good, and bad, decisions, just like anybody else.
They should have their rights, period the end.
Each day in this role, I find myself impressed time and time again with self-advocates, who are out there taking risks and doing what they can to make the world a more accepting and better place for all people with disabilities. They are out there fighting for their rights.
For me, there is great peace in knowing that they are paving the way for tomorrow, and that children with disabilities may have fewer obstacles to overcome in their lives because people with disabilities are tackling those obstacles right now.
All this, from a little pin.
-- Sam J.
Monday, June 9, 2008
A New Chairman and Vice Chair :)
Happy Monday!
I hope the world is treating you well dear reader and that you are enjoying the Crossroads Blog.
As you may know, the Council had our June quarterly meeting last week in Riverton, WY and it was great! The trip up was a definite learning experience for me (I keep reminding myself that cows travel by semi sometimes and that it's okay) and the Holiday Inn in Riverton treated us very well. Rich drove the tank, aka Excursion, while George, Clay and Sarah rode in the back and I rode shotgun - somehow it just seems right that we say "rides shotgun" in Wyoming, don't ya' think? Rich did a great job getting us back and forth in one piece, thanks again Rich for driving!
During the meeting, grants were awarded (kudos to the Evaluation Committee for such a great job) and a new Chairman and Vice-Chair were elected. Congratulations to our new Chairman, Victor Orr and our new Vice-Chair, Susan Fessler. The other committees continue to do great work and make plans for a better and brighter Wyoming for people with disabilities and their friends and neighbors.
One new project, which is sort of an old project, is the addition of two magazines to the Crossroads media campaign yearly, officially making it a quarterly publication. You can look for a new edition of Crossroads each season, roughly in June, September, December and March. If you'd like to sign up to receive Crossroads, visit our site at http://ddcouncil.state.wy.us/ or email me directly at sjanne@state.wy.us. Or, if you have story ideas or something you'd like to see in Crossroads, shoot me a note as well!
Thanks as always for taking the time to check in with the Council and remember, we communicate when we educate and advocate!
Keep on truckin'! (see, I'm getting the whole Wyoming thing down)
Sam J. :)
I hope the world is treating you well dear reader and that you are enjoying the Crossroads Blog.
As you may know, the Council had our June quarterly meeting last week in Riverton, WY and it was great! The trip up was a definite learning experience for me (I keep reminding myself that cows travel by semi sometimes and that it's okay) and the Holiday Inn in Riverton treated us very well. Rich drove the tank, aka Excursion, while George, Clay and Sarah rode in the back and I rode shotgun - somehow it just seems right that we say "rides shotgun" in Wyoming, don't ya' think? Rich did a great job getting us back and forth in one piece, thanks again Rich for driving!
During the meeting, grants were awarded (kudos to the Evaluation Committee for such a great job) and a new Chairman and Vice-Chair were elected. Congratulations to our new Chairman, Victor Orr and our new Vice-Chair, Susan Fessler. The other committees continue to do great work and make plans for a better and brighter Wyoming for people with disabilities and their friends and neighbors.
One new project, which is sort of an old project, is the addition of two magazines to the Crossroads media campaign yearly, officially making it a quarterly publication. You can look for a new edition of Crossroads each season, roughly in June, September, December and March. If you'd like to sign up to receive Crossroads, visit our site at http://ddcouncil.state.wy.us/ or email me directly at sjanne@state.wy.us. Or, if you have story ideas or something you'd like to see in Crossroads, shoot me a note as well!
Thanks as always for taking the time to check in with the Council and remember, we communicate when we educate and advocate!
Keep on truckin'! (see, I'm getting the whole Wyoming thing down)
Sam J. :)
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Hittin' the Road!
We are hittin' the road bright and early on our way to Riverton, WY tomorrow morning for the June Council meeting. Rich will be leading our "wagon train" as we journey north from Cheyenne with a fairly full van-load of folks from the Council. I wonder how many times we'll make it through the song, "100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall" before we get there? It's like a four-hour drive or so, not counting the numerous times I want to get out and stretch.
I am very excited about the trip to Riverton, where the Big River and Little River meet. This is my first trip to Riverton, and actually, my first trip to Fremont County. I am still blown away by the fact that you can drive for hours and hours and STILL stay in state in Wyoming. It's huge!
This Council meeting is very exciting as it is when the Evaluation Committee members sit down and go over the different groups in the state looking for grants from the Council. They compare the groups' / associations' goals to our five-year plan and see if and how they fit in to the big picture for people with developmental disabilities in the State of Wyoming.
We will also be holding elections for Chair Person and Vice Chair Person - it's going to be a busy meeting!
Thank you dear reader for checking in with the Crossroads Blog, hope the June weather is treating you well!
-- Sam J.
I am very excited about the trip to Riverton, where the Big River and Little River meet. This is my first trip to Riverton, and actually, my first trip to Fremont County. I am still blown away by the fact that you can drive for hours and hours and STILL stay in state in Wyoming. It's huge!
This Council meeting is very exciting as it is when the Evaluation Committee members sit down and go over the different groups in the state looking for grants from the Council. They compare the groups' / associations' goals to our five-year plan and see if and how they fit in to the big picture for people with developmental disabilities in the State of Wyoming.
We will also be holding elections for Chair Person and Vice Chair Person - it's going to be a busy meeting!
Thank you dear reader for checking in with the Crossroads Blog, hope the June weather is treating you well!
-- Sam J.
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