Speechless

Logo for Speechless

Hello Everyone. A friend of mine just told me about a new ABC sitcom called "Speechless" starring Minnie Driver. She felt it was hilarious, but was a little worried it might be insensitive. So she asked me to watch it and tell her my thoughts. I LOVE it! I have sent it on to some friends who work with people with disabilities to make sure I was not being insensitive. I am not the be all know all for folks with disabilities, far from it! So far, my friends feel it is very funny and shows some of the "silliness" that people who can't talk (and other people with extra challenges) have to endure.

Suse waiting for her hot air balloon ride.

I have sent it to my friend Suse to get her opinion too. Suse is "speechless" as you all know. She hasn't had a chance to watch it yet due to working 40 plus hours a week and some government regulations. But I already know she will approve it. We (Her, Connie and I) have lived some of the moments from the TV show. Believe me, it happens all the time! People get in her face and talk really slowly to her and ask her "If... she... is... doing... OK??" In slow, silly voices. It makes us laugh every time it happens, but only because we are used to it. Suse is smarter than Connie and I put together. But people assume since she can't talk and has to use a wheelchair that somehow that makes her less intelligent. It is a silly notion really. It just emphasizes that we need more education about people with disabilities, speechless or otherwise. It needs to start with our children I feel. It has gotten better over the past 20 plus years. I know, cause when I started working at Easter Seals camps in 1994, I didn't even know what Easter Seals did really. I have learned A LOT over the past 20 years, AND I still have more to learn. Just two weeks ago I jumped in an elevator in front of someone in a wheelchair! That person had to then go take another elevator because of my rudeness. Connie pointed it out to me and I felt so ashamed! The point is, if someone does something that appears silly, rude, wrong or whatever... don't chastise them, but instead educate them. We all need educated and reminders, even ME... ESPECIALLY ME! :0)

Micah Fowler. I would like to think he gives my blog post 2 thumbs up!

The characters on the show are funny and "real". I looked up the young man who plays the "speechless" teen on the show. I don't know anything about him really, other than what the world wide web tells me and some quotes by him. He is not speechless in real life, but he does live with Cerebral Palsy and has to use a wheelchair at times to get around. He knows, I am sure, what it is like to get some of the reactions that his character gets on the show. He does an exceptional job from what I have seen to portray people who have disabilities and what they might think or do or feel. Bravo to him and the writers in my opinion.

I am not a big Minnie Driver fan personally, but I love her in this. She is flat out hilarious!
The dad on the show played a character on my favorite TV show "Big Bang Theory". I didn't like his character on BBT, but I love his character on this show. The two siblings do a good job of showing what it is like to be a sibling of someone with a disability. They have their own challenges to overcome and that is depicted well in the show I feel. At the end of the day, they love their brother, but they deserve special attention just like he does. Which illustrates the point that just because someone does have a disability, doesn't mean they should be given everything... just the respect and opportunities to live like anyone else!

I have watched a few episodes of "Speechless". They are all funny. Some funnier than others. Some scenes are way over the top I feel, but that is just me. Some scenes are too mushy for my taste. But bottom line is it shows some real things that happen and it will stimulate talk about it I am sure. So, I recommend you watch a couple of episodes and educate yourself and others. At least watch the Pilot episode and one other. If you have any comments, suggestions, or questions about the show feel free to comment on my blog or email me what you think. I would LOVE to know.

I highly recommend watching the show with your children! Then having a discussion after the show about what THEY learned, felt, etc.! If your children have any questions, please have them email me directly or  better yet have them contact a local organization that works with people with disabilities and get some answers. Maybe they would like to volunteer? There are a ton of organizations and people out there that can use help. Summer camps, Easter Seals, Cerebral Palsy Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy, Autism, Elderly Folks, Youth... just to name a few.

cheepski@gmail.com
Rodney Daly


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