Media Assignment EDCG630 Spring 2012

Follow Your Dreams

· Jason McElwain (News clip – 2006) tube.com/watch?v=ngzyhnkT_jY&feature=related

This video clip tells an amazing but true story about Jason McElwain. Jason was a student at Greece Athena High School. He had also been medically diagnosed as being highly functioning autistic. Having never played a minute during his four seasons on the school's basketball team, his coach decided to let him suit up and play during the last home game of the season. What was only supposed to be a few minutes on the court as a way to reward and thank Jason for his hard work and dedication, turned into one of the most inspirational sports stories to happen in a very long time. With about 4 minutes left to play, Jason got his shot to play. In what sounds like something from a Disney Movie, Jason McElwain made 7 of 13 shots, which included 6-10 from 3-point range, to finish as the game’s high scorer with 20 points. All of this in just 4 minutes of playing time. This story clearly displays someone who has (or should have) changed the perception people have about others with disabilities.

· The Music Within (Film – 2007) - b.com/title/tt0422783/

This film tells the true story of Richard Pimentel, a disabled Vietnam veteran who finds new purpose in life through advocating on the behalf of all people with disabilities. The story follows Pimental (played by Ron Livingston) as he joins the U.S. military and subsequently loses most of his hearing during combat in Vietnam. Upon returning to the United States and entering college he realizes how difficult life can be for people with disabilities. Pimental befriends a fellow student Art Honeyman who, in addition to being a genius has cerebral palsy. This friendship inspires Pimental to begin fighting for the rights of people with disabilities. Pimental begins to see that disabilities are not the only obstacle people face, but also the actions and the attitudes of the world around them. Pimental develops job-placement centers for people with disabilities, corporate training seminars to change the prejudices of managers and supervisors towards disabilities, and becomes influential in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This story is a great depiction for young adults to see the potential of people with disabilities and how a fierce advocate can change the perceptions of countless people.

· Songs of Survival and Reflection: 'At the Cut' (Interview 2009)

.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=120978388

This interview, by Terry Gross on NPR's Fresh Air, tells a part of the story of Vic Chesnutt. Following a car accident in 1983, at the age of 18, Vic Chesnutt broke his back and was left without the use of his legs and heavily compromised use of his arms and hands. Despite his medical limitations, he released his first album seven years after his accident. Chesnutt recorded 15 albums and gained the respect of many musicians as well as becoming a voice toward the reformation of health-care legislation. Following a PBS documentary in 1992, musicians such as Nanci Griffin, Kristin Hersh, Cracker, and fellow Athens Georgia musicians R.E.M. And Lucinda Williams, came together to record a tribute album called Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation. This tribute album helped to pay for his great medical costs and became an informational source for many to appreciate the problems with the health-care system at the time. Dispite the physical limitations of his condition, Vic Chesnutt became an empowering voice in the American folk music scene and his music is strong and personal, which has had a profound affect on the music culture in Athens and all over.

Accepting Differences

· The Outsiders - by S.E. Hinton

The novel, The Outsiders, is a story about two groups separated by their socio-economic differences. The main character, Ponyboy, and his friends (the Greasers) have an ongoing rivalry with the Socs. The Socs are from the “good” side of the tracks. The Greasers are generally from broken families and/or families struggling to make ends meet. The tension resulting from their socio-economic differences divides them and ultimately ends up in deaths of members from each gang. Ponyboy realizes, with the help of a friendship with a Soc, that although they live on different sides of the tracks and have different family lives, they share the same emotional struggles, fears and problems. This book can be used to show that although everyone comes from different places we are all individuals with problems, concerns, fears and struggles. Additionally, this book shows the devastating consequences that may result when when different cultures or groups are not educated and taught to be tolerant of differences.

· tube.com/watch?v=BkKWApOAG2g&feature=related-

Abby and Brittany Hensel are conjoined twins. They share two legs, two arms, and a torso. Each young lady has physical control of half of the shared body. Their lives require that they work together to perform simple tasks such as combing their hair. In this clip, the girls share their excitement about turning 16 and applying for a driver’s license. Abby and Brittany demonstrate that although they may be different, they still feel, enjoy, and worry about the same issues as other children. By accepting differences, we are able to understand how truly similar we are as people.

· The Blind Side (movie 2009)

Michael Oher is a homeless teenager whom the Tuohy family invites into their home to live. The affluent white family takes in this African American teenager despite the criticism they receive from friends and colleagues. The Tuohy family goes against all odds in accepting the differences between their lives and Michael Oher's life. They use the resources they have available to help Michael achieve great success in the classroom and on the football field. At the end of the movie, Michael graduates from college and is drafted by the Baltimore Ravens of NFL. His success is due to his own talents and perseverance as well as the willingness of the Tuohys to accept his differences and to welcome him as a member of their own family . This particular movie can be used to show students that accepting differences is important and can have tremendous benefit for all involved.

· A Beautiful Mind (movie)

John Nash, the main character in the movie, A Beautiful Mind, is a Nobel Laureate in Economics. He is also a math professor at Princeton University and MIT. He is a gifted mathematician but he also has schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by disorganized speech and thinking. The illness causes John Nash to perceive that everything he sees and thinks is a secret code sent by Soviet Agents. This disease also has significant impact on his daily life and family relationships. Despite the many challenges faced by living with someone with schizophrenia, John Nash’s wife does not give up on him and helps him deal with the devastating impacts of the disease. At the end of the movie, John Nash still suffers from schizophrenia but has learned to manage and overcome the obstacles he faces. In fact, he is awarded with the Nobel Prize. This movie can be shown in general education classroom to help students understand that people with disabilities have a great deal to contribute to society.

Overcoming Obstacles / Turning Disabilities into Abilities

· www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=9xwCG0Ey2Mg

Patrick Hughes is a young man who was born with no eyes and with a condition that prevents his limbs from straightening. As a toddler, he was fitted with artificial eyes and began using a wheelchair. His musical potential became evident before his first birthday when he began imitating notes on his family’s piano. By his second birthday, he was playing requests such as: “You Are My Sunshine” and “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” As he grew, his musical talents expanded to include trumpet and singing. He attended the University of Louisville in Kentucky where he and his father became a two-member addition to the marching band. He graduated, magna cum laude in 2010 with a major in Spanish. Patrick views his disabilities as “abilities” and believes his musical talents are gifts that have given him many opportunities. He has overcome many obstacles to achieve tremendous accomplishments. This video can be inspirational for all and could show children with and without disabilities that one could succeed through hard work and determination. Patrick has written a book, along with Patrick John Hughes and Bryant Stamford, “I Am Potential”. His website is: rickhenryhughes.com/.

· tube.com/watch?v=fIwMbzBOhGE

Jim “Basketball” Jones is a motivational speaker who tells his story about overcoming dyslexia. In this video, he talks about his experiences with adults and peers throughout his life who didn’t think he would ever succeed. When Jim entered high school he was only reading at a second grade level. With the help of his mother and a teacher who worked with him on an individual level, he was able to graduate high school. He then went on to Bowling Green State University earning a degree and many awards throughout his years there. Jim’s perseverance and motivation to succeed helped him overcome his dyslexia and shape him into the person he is today. His story can be very inspiring to students who have learning disabilities, showing them that they can succeed just like everyone else. It can also help to show other students that their peers with learning disabilities are really not that different from themselves. His website is: http://jimbasketballjones.com.

· tube.com/watch?v=P-duUCXWUf8

J.R. Martinez is a 29-year old actor and highly-sought after motivational speaker. As a high school student in Georgia, he dreamed of becoming a professional football player. However, after graduation, he enlisted in the Army and was deployed to Iraq. Less than a month later, he was in an accident in which the truck he was driving hit a landmine. He was trapped inside the burning vehicle and over 40% of his body (including his face) was severely disfigured. He spent 34 months in recovery and underwent 33 reconstructive surgeries. While in the hospital, J.R. spent much time speaking and listening to other burn patients. He became a motivational speaker with a platform centering on the power of positive thinking and making the most out of every situation. In 2008, he auditioned for and was cast in role of a disfigured Army veteran on the ABC daytime series, All My Children. In 2011, J.R. competed on the primetime television show Dancing with the Stars and went on to win the mirror ball trophy. J.R.’s accomplishments can prove to students that their attitudes, actions, choices, and determination are the true meaning of success, and that they have the ability to choose their own destiny despite severe obstacles. J.R.’s website is: /.

· The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

The Running Dream is the winner of the 2012 Schneider Family Book Award. Jessica’s hopes of being a track star are shattered after the high school team’s bus taking them back from a successful meet gets into an accident where one team member loses her life and Jessica loses her leg. Jessica has to relearn how to live her life, how to deal with her loss as well as the change in her classmates when she returns to school. She gets sent to sit in the back of her math class where she meets Rosa, who has cerebral palsy and is in wheelchair. Rosa is smart and funny and tells Jessica that “I wish people would see me and not my condition.” Through the support of her team, Jessica gets fitted with a running prosthetic and makes it her goal to have people see Rosa for Rosa. This story is not only about overcoming obstacles, but it highlights that idea that people with disabilities are not their disability; they are people. This book does a fantastic job in showing the struggles that Jessica goes through with her own recovery, her dealings with the people around her, as well as the feelings she has towards Rosa. This book is intended for those 12 years and older.

Even those who struggle can succeed

· Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos

The book “Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key”, takes the reader on a journey of the daily struggles of a boy who is having difficulties in school. The story is written from the boys’ perspective and highlights the trials and tribulations that he occurs while going through the difficult process of being diagnosed with ADD. The story gives a vivid look inside the world of ADD and the challenges that are faced not only by the child who has it, but also by his family, teachers and classmates as the disability disrupts their lives. This book would benefit children suffering with ADD, as it would help them to see they are not alone in their struggle. It would also help teachers and classmates of children with ADD formulate a clear understanding of the challenges this disability creates. The inside look into Joey’s life would be a great tool to use in a classroom to open discussion and raise awareness of such disabilities. Knowledge is the key to acceptance. This book, written by Jack Gantos, can be found in paperback, hardcover, or electronically at Amazon.com or any bookstore. It is best suited for ages 10 and up.

· 2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/02/american-idol-james-durbin-overcomes-aspergers-tourettes-and-more-to-rock-out.html

James Durbin has overcome much in his few years. As a child he was diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome and was also diagnosed with Aspergers as well. If matters could not get any worse for James, his father overdosed on drugs when he was only 9. He grew up unpopular, teased, and in some cases beat up my classmates. Then, against all odds, grown up with a family, he got his shot on the popular show “American Idol”. This video clip would be great in the classroom because school children can recognize and understand the hardships people have and can still persevere living fulfilling, normal lives. Plus, those who do have Tourettes or Aspergers can see that they can work with their disability and reach their dreams like anyone else can.