Sensory Friends
Let's stay connected:
  • Home
    • About us
    • Contact us!
    • Join Our Email List
    • Media Page
    • Book Christine Goulbourne
  • Blog
    • Disability Blogs
  • Sensory Friends Directory
  • Resources
  • Great Giveaways!

ABC’s Speechless Gets the Overly Insensitive Standing Ovation

9/22/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Many of us have been anxiously waiting for the premier of the pilot episode for “Speechless.” The show debuted last night and I have to write that it didn’t disappoint. In fact, it was on-point! Speechless is about an American family of five that includes a teen with special needs. The story line is centered around their incredibly, resilient and humorous ability to cope with the many challenges faced by special needs families today. As parents of children with disabilities, we can all relate to Minnie Driver’s character, “Maya,” who is a relentless and fierce mother who will stop at nothing to protect her son JJ (played by Micah Fowler).  
Picture
JJ is a delightful young man with a great sense of humor. He has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair and a sophisticated device for communicating with others. Maya uproots their entire family (again) to a new home for JJ's fresh start at another new school – this time he gets an AIDE! It’s every special needs parent's dream to have an aide by his or her child’s side at school, and Maya knows this is one accommodation you don’t pass up.
From the start, the episode raises awareness of the true-life issues with regards to access experienced by many members of the disability community who use wheelchairs. In one hilarious scene, Maya takes on the school principal by citing her for not having an accessible ramp made available in the front of the school – not the back of the school where trash is dumped!

That wasn’t the only issue tackled, the show dared to highlight issues of inclusion in regular classroom settings as well. It took a brilliantly comedic approach at illustrating the well-intentions, but often times insulting attempts made trying to make someone with a disability feel welcomed.  JJ enters his classroom for the first time and is greeted by an unwarranted round of applause and then standing ovation by his fellow classmates.  His teacher, extremely nervous and anxious to welcome his new student, ridiculously overcompensates by immediately nominating JJ to become the school's Student Council President! He even had a sign made!

JJ types the most sensible reply, "Why? You don't know me."
​
This show gets a two thumbs up from me.  While I can certainly relate to Maya, I have learned over the years to take a more partnership approach in handling issues with my son’s school. Still, I love her energy, strength, and the fact that she is a driving force not to be reckoned with.  I think this is the perfect show for ridding our society of the many misconceptions and myths that come with having a disability.  I’m going to be a regular viewer, I’m already a fan.  


​© 2016 Sensory Friends


Sincerely, Christine SensoryFriends

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author: Christine Goulbourne
    christine@sensoryfriends.com 

    Archives

    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015

    Categories

    All
    Autism
    Inclusion
    Parent Involvement
    Positive Behavior Support
    Special Education

    RSS Feed

    Please note that Sensory Friends is a participant in the Google Adsense and Etsy Programs. These are affiliate/advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees (at no additional cost to you) by advertising and linking to their sites. 

An Important Note From Sensory Friends:

All information posted on the website is for informational purposes only.   Please confirm and review information carefully with your professional health care provider before considering a new regime or practice.  The information provided is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians.  Sensory Friends only wishes to provide information, resources, options and networking opportunities to its members and site visitors. 
Please note that Sensory Friends is a participant in several affiliate programs (Google Adsense, Awin Affiliates, and Etsy) these affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products or services. We may receive a commission if you purchase any of the linked products at no additional cost to you.  

© 2023 Sensory Friends

Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now