Re: Re: Disability Characteristics and Political Correctness

[eatmyplum]

wow, humans are fucked up!

[weheeedis]

Thank god for technology....

[XxSaraBluexX]

I know I'm not the same kind of disabled as you, I am only physically disabled, the politically correctiveness still applies I guess. Just yesterday actually, someone told me that they're boyfriend had told them off for mentioning about them ending up in a wheelchair if they fell down the stairs, because I am myself in a wheelchair. When he told me I laughed, because it was like he was worried I'd be upset, like I didn't know I was in a wheelchair. I think the world is becoming too Pc.

[momtoreezles]

We're a family of four with autism and autism spectrum disorders, and I can't tell you how thankful I am for the videos you've made. So many people think you can judge what is inside by what you see outside, and they're so wrong.

[PinecrestRailroad]

silentmiaow, thank you so much for mixing all the humor in with all the ass chewing. Have you ever considered doing standup comedy with an edge? Please keep talking to us, some of us are listening, and learning. Peace and safe travels, Mike Hall

[Yetti0]

I think society needs to look into families of bullies. what family in their right mind would encourage and teach their kids to be bullies. bullies are insecure. I think we need to intercede in homes where bullies are bred and work with the parents who allow or encourage this. when I was 12 I saw a teacher bully two physically handicapped girls in wheelchairs. we could not say a thing without her attacking us too. It hurts me to this day to see her victimize them. I could not stand the teacher

[Yetti0]

Do you think if you had a portable voice synthasizer like Stephen Hawking has when you were in school , it would have been more enjoyable?

[AvangionQ]

This video is messed up ... makes me seriously rethink the validity of the Americans with Disabilities Act ...

[BigIronWife]

so glad to have come across your video's. Im getting to see another point of view and I love it. thank you! keep um coming

[chikotube]

i'm addicted to these videos. I'm learning so much I've never really been exposed to. Thanks!

[jayjayjay]

A great video; I found myself extremely interested in what you had to say. I think you contribute to opening a dialogue, there are some considerate reactions from people who had misconceptions. Keep on truckin'!

[frustrated2222]

glad you made this video. Very enlightening. Some of it went by a little fast for me, but I understand your points. I had a classmate that became disabled during the school year and disappeared from school and my life. I always wanted to see her again. I never understood why she couldn't return, in her wheelchair. Her legs were impaired, not her thoughts, feelings, or capability to learn.

[SchinTeth]

I agree to all dark420bishop says...Good Job!

[dark420bishop]

I think it's so cool that with computers and the internet, you can communicate and make videos just like anyone else. I never thought of the medium in those terms before. It makes me appreciate the internet and our little YouTube society even more. It's too bad that older generations didn't have tools like these. Who knows how many geniuses slipped through the cracks because no one could figure out how to communicate with them?

[Yetti0]

I think its wonderful she has electronic voice like Stephen Hawking has...

[LucyShy]

Especially the medical ones, she's always terrified a child will die in her class since she has no clue about medical disabilities...

[silentmiaow]

I am not a good person to ask about the school system, seeing as I don't believe the current school system is much of any good for anyone. I technically believe in inclusive education, but I've never seen it exist in practice, I've only seen integrated and segregated education. And I never learned much in school myself, at least nothing of what they were claiming to teach. (Fortunately I learned fine at home or I'd have been screwed.)

[LucyShy]

That was hilarious! First time I've seen humor in your videos. Would you say that integration is bad then? Here (Canada) they are big in placing (sometimes several) kids with 'challenges' into the regular classrooms. My mother's a teacher and she finds it difficult b/c they don't give the teachers ANY training or information on how to deal with children with disabilities.

[momof2boyswithautism]

That is such relevent statement. My experience last year was that the "regular ed" teacher went to perhaps a 3 day course on autism- the other staff was educated very little. Although initially, I was for integration- after this experience; I'd rather have my son in a school- where EVERYONE including the janitor- is an expert on autism; and have seen it and understand it. We also have some medically fragile kids being integrated- i don't think it is really fair for the teachers myself.

[LucyShy]

Honestly, I think that is your best bet. I feel bad for saying this b/c my moms a teacher, but most of them can barely teach NT/MT children! A story that to this day bothers me:

[momof2boyswithautism]

Just wondering- I made a decision to send my son to a "special" school this fall- he had summer school there and loved it! He hated kindergarten in our local school- would flop down and cry- didn't learn much at all. Do you have strong feelings on this subject? Maybe had you gone to an alternative school- those ***holes- wouldn't have been there to be so evil.

[silentmiaow]

I'd rather not have gone to school at all. (Again, I'm a bad person to ask about school, I don't believe in any mass-education system I've seen so far.)

[LucyShy]

..there was a 6yr old boy in her class nonverbal w/autism, he had an assistant. The parents insisted he be there for a 'regular' education - staff had no clue what to do, he was disruptive. The only time he was quiet was when they sat him next to the copier machine in the copy room. So, sadly, that is where he spent most of the school year. Sitting in the copy room with the EA.

[Yetti0]

Our teachers unions keep the bad teachers... schools cannot get rid of them due to the unions. Many of them have no business around children or animals. Our society is shameful and USA is getting a bad reputation for its schools

[MelmoChiMinh]

I love your glasses. :).

[zlector]

is your speech device similar to Hawking's ?

[silentmiaow]

Only in that it's a speech device. (Which is at least as broad a category as "wheelchair" if not more so.)

[zlector]

Please describe how it works.

[silentmiaow]

The device used in this video was a Link Plus. I think if you look that up you should find more answers than I can give you on YouTube.

[zlector]

What is your diagnosis?

[silentmiaow]

Autism among other things.

[aznnifefita]

Have faith, hold out. In my eyes, it's not the great military commanders or superheroes who are heroic or great, but rather people like you, who have a hard time getting through the day only to face another one tomorrow. All those anti-disabled people deserve to be reincarnated as disabled people. Have hope.

[ii4887]

you my friend, are a saint in my eyes.

[yurikimxo]

love the video! even though i'm physically disabled i can relate to a LOT of the things you said.

yeah i hate it when people think i'm 'weak' just because i have to do certain things a different way. so stupid how they see only my disability and not my personality.

[ellaskins]

Thanks! say no more! johnathan

[pixl8edkat]

you're so smart, silentmiaow- you have great points.. all of which i've loved to hear! keep up the vid's, and keep being the resilient, strong person you are. you, too, deserve to live a life without ridicule. :) (hugs)

[codegaard]

wow- you are so inspirational to me! you have such a great outlook. sometimes i get sad with set-backs in mylife-but all pale in comparison to what you go through.If you lived near me I would totally be your friend and include you!!!

[erbear15]

That's really cool. It changes the way I think about people with disabilities, and maybe I should stop having as much sympathy for people with disabilities because they are used to the way they are living, and it makes sense that way. I like watching your vidoes.

Thanks!

[drmaier]

That's so awful - your experience in regular highschool. I'd do anything to protect my son against being treated the way you were. You're so resilient. Your videos really help me understand autism. Thanks!

[ralpheadsuz]

Thank you so much for including us in your conversation.

[raulitech]

Thank you for sharing this, it helps us understand.

[caclark510]

Thank you.

[Dickens123]

Your argument is logical and cogent! I agree with you. I also want you to know that I love your doggie! Name?? I am an animal NUT!

[missbrowntrout]

Thank you for making yourself available! The power of the personal story has been the thing that has taught me the most in my life. I hope you stay encouraged always.

[fipster102]

Thank you for sharing the world through your eyes and ears.

[miskagirl]

very true

[Allegra250]

I think Amanda is amazing, insightful and I love her vids. It's sad that people like philcommander were questioning her. I'm glad the CNN story has cleared it up once and for all.

[jeffcranford]

I am so pleased to inform anyone here that Amanda was on CNN world news in two different video clips and has prooved she is sincere and I apoligize for them that insulted and doubted her, they aren't very wise. You are an inspiration to all people with mental disabilities and also my heroess! Hugssssssssss

[jeffcranford]

Congradulations for making it onto CNN I read earlier remarks and am very ashamed of how poeple treated you doubting your sincerity, I ask your forgiveness for there ignorance and you are a true heroess to the mentally disabled. You have a friend in me. Jeff....oxox

[selyuvi]

Please answer this amanda..where is your family? I just wondering.Thanks.

[silentmiaow]

California mostly.

[mero573]

Hunny u rock u keep doing what u like to do and keep the joy always have hope and faith your a strong person and that will get u many places in life:)

[soulafaa]

I came your way through CNN, and so glad I did. Your video is, as many have said before me, truly enlightening. It is touching because, in the end, all of us can relate, at least in some way, to everything that you mention Amanda. This was moving indeed. God bless you and bless the path ahead of you. I look forward to seeing many more videos from you. Thank you.

[serosion]

You are one hardcore chick! I love your posts, and your puppy dog is SO gorgeous! Keep the videos coming!

[fooltalker]

wow! Absolutely I agree...if you are disabled when you are born..then that is who you are. No adjusting...you develop as every other child..you become accustomed to your disability. If you can't physically do something "normally", you will figure out a way of doing it. I really wonder what exactly "Normal" is anyway...

You are human, you were born life,you have the right to live your life here on this earth,as much as the next guy.

[avargas2001]

Labeling people is a form of insult, anyone insulting you has nothing good to say to or about you, from this we can draw the conclution that someone who insults you doesn't want anything good for you, the question is do we want good people in our life ?? if we do lets ignore the bad and talk to the good, I think you have gone far enought trying to explain the ignorance in others, can we hear what you think of bush and his war for oil ??

[silentmiaow]

I think Bush is a criminal and a liar. Like most of the country by this point, I imagine.

[avargas2001]

labeling is a powerfull tool to stigmatize a person, a group or a whole country, do you think bush is trying to start a war with Iran ?? and if so do you think he will use Muslims as tools (pawns)?? I think bush is liar too, apparently the CIA lost all contact with Bin Laden, where do you think Bin Laden is ??

[halliburke]

Interesting that you would say his war for oil. Assuming we've actually gotten oil from Iraq in quantities worth mentioning, the value of any such oil is much, much less than the amount of money that we've poured into the war in Iraq. But I guess if your view of Bush is negative and you dismiss the war in Iraq as simply a war for getting oil, then no amount of evidence suggesting otherwise will probably change your mind.

[avargas2001]

evidence !! you mean none existent WMD ?? or the terrorits that Saddam had well under control prior to US arrival ?? by the way you poured money into US made weapons, what you poured into Iraq was a lot of bombs.

[macmtl]

Just for arguments sake...

He's using public funds to ensure cheap & guaranteed flow of oil to the private sector.

He doesn't care how much the government spends, as all oil profits go to his oil buddies anyways.

Since he can't legally hand them public funds, although he has through tax rebates for Exxon, a war for oil is an excellent way of using his public authority to benefit his private sector friends.

Again, just for arguments sake.

[avargas2001]

I wonder how may lives such as amandas would become better in USA if the government poured the war money into health, education or any other kind of social development.

[avargas2001]

I think the cost of one the bombs droped in Iraq would safe many like amanda from social injustice, the irony in all this is that amanda only gets sympathy from us not her government, we can wait and see what social movement would take interest in the autistic struggle, the war against amanda's problem was here long before Saddam, Iraq, or oil I just hope bush noticed.

[sirachman]

Amanda doesn't have a problem and most certainly doesn't need sympathy!

[LifeDesigns]

You are awesome! You have so very much to teach people. You leave me speechless! Thank you so much for sharing. I have a grandson who has Apraxia and he had a horrible time before we were able to get him the help he needed.  He had so much to say and could not express himself so he acted out in frustration and we did not know what was wrong. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you for being you and sharing yourself! I look forward to hearing more from you.

Kindest Regards.

[nucleardogmeat]

Actually, Madfoot's comment is far worse than that made by Ominbus. Those of you who get offended so easily are both simple and apt to give way to -or invent- emotional response in favor of reason. The fact that ominbus insults silent with about as much force and interest as he would afford anyone else speaks volumes for his detachment from the horror and patronizing pity that people like Madfoot express (note: I did not say "experience" -- invented emotional response is obvious here).

[djbrokenyolk]

Oh calm down Nucleardogmeat! Madfoot is being nice because this film has made a difference to him/her - you are reading too much into it if you think that this comment is patronising or invented.

[richardmarcj]

Ominbus:

I've seen a lot of hate on youtube, but this is the first time that a comment has really touched my nerve. Your comment was absolutely uncalled for.

What was it? An urge to feel superior? A sudden impulse to bring someone down? A need to get attention because you wanted to say something outrageous or stupid?

[amyfilms]

Wow! That was really enlightening. I hope you'll post more videos just like it.

[Onimbus]

i wanna hear you sing retard

[crystal03]

Where do you come off? Do you think more highly of yourself now because you think that you insulted someone? I feel it is people like you who should be paying the most attention to these videos and others like it.

Silentmiaow, thank you so much for posting these videos.

[jahonten5]

shut up u idiot. hes not a retard.

[Onimbus]

its a she

[europa312]

You are a lousy human being. I feel sorry for your daughter, let's just hope that nothing ever happens to you, your wife or child to make them less neurotypical or that you have another child that is 1 of the 150 with Autism.

[ostrogodo]

shut

[avargas2001]

I think the cost of one the bombs droped in Iraq would safe many like amanda from social injustice, the irony in all this is that amanda only gets sympathy from us not her government, we can wait and see what social movement would take interest in the autistic struggle, the war against amanda's problem was here long before Saddam, Iraq, or oil I hope bush noticed.

[dwatts26726]

What does the war in Iraq have to do with this? I would much rather my tax money go to keep America save than give money to the thing in this video.

[brabon]

very compassionate conservative you are...instead of giving your tax money, why dont you give your body...iraq is calling...go sign up and get blown up good

[madfoot]

silentmiaow, you're an incredible person. I'm looking forward to getting to know you. This is only the 2nd viddy of yours that I've watched. Jeez, girl. You're amazing.

[CATJAY]

Every video i watch of yours keeps impacting my life more and more. Thank you.

[EmilyLacy]

Also- Do enjoy watching other people's videos on Youtube? I hope I hear from you!!! - Emily

[EmilyLacy]

Hello there, I'm glad I found your videos! I teach a class about Youtube as a communication medium and information resource at CalArts near LA, and my supervisor sent me to your page. Do you feel like Youtube enables you to interact in special way because it uses Video? What has your experience been like using Youtube? I would really appreciate being able to start a dialogue with you about this, if you are interested.

[cyperNinja]

oh my God ! your story brought me to tears,if i was in your situation i don't know what i would do, but you...you are fucking strong! you rock !!

[shadowvorlon]

Another thoughtful video. Thank you. I have watched two of your videos now and the thing that strikes me most is how similar our thinking can be in spite of the many differences in communication and how we interact with the world. I hope you'll make more videos...I am finding them intellectually stimulating.

[silentmiaow]

Yeah I had a problem that day with the voice -- my usual voices weren't playing. So it won't be an issue as long as I can get the usual ones to play, or if I get that one I'll try to slow it down.

[orbvious]

I love that You Tube can give EVERYONE access to others no matter how isolated they might be. You are a breath of fresh air and I feel so fortunate having this medium that enables me to hear what you have to say...finally there is some hope for us all :))

[tlg847]

Thank you very much for that glimpse into your life. It's kind of you to tell us all so much about the way you live in the world. I hope the process of making videos enables you to connect with other people in ways that you enjoy.

[DigitalSurgeon]

I agree about adjustment. If you are that way, you can't adjust to it. Great video! Subscribed!!!

[30andout]

You are very frank in your discussion of the indignities you've suffered. Perhaps that is what is needed to make people aware of reactions that seem natural, but are, in fact, damaging.

[kenrg]

You are right about the invisibility of people with disabilities such as yourself. Most of us really don't know how to react because we've been isolated from you as you've been isolated from us. This open communication through YouTube is educational and eye opening. Thank you.

[Pookieftw]

Great video response. To be honest I kinda feel dumb because I hadn't thought about the perspective about disability the way you do. Your words were eliquent and well thought out. Thanks!

[noahsark1962]

I am in awe.This is really something.I never have liked bullies or people that make fun of other people.I think that they are the ones with the dificiancy.

[Lafwthme2]

I'm subscribing to you now. Thank you so much for sharing with us!

[maroushka]

Thank You for sharing your views, and thoughts! I have always thought the same as you, someone disabled from birth has no adjustment to make as they haven't known anything different. You have a new subscriber :)

[suburbanmom]

Great video. I subscribed. I have a 17 year old son with autism.

[Marihani]

I was just re-watching this video and I noticed what a lovely dog you have keeping you company!

[Marihani]

Ears and tail like a cat! Well said! Made me smile :-)

WOW!! Those kids and teachers at the high school! SHOCKING!! I hope they carry their guilt to the grave!

It is absolutely wonderful meeting you! I'm so glad you have the tools to communicate with us! THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS VIDEO!!!

Marianne

[askmisscris]

This is a great video. It says a lot - thank you for sharing your experiences.

[Jesslittleangel]

New subscriber here too!!! THANK YOU!!!!

[ZachMan360]

This was a great video!! :) u have a subscriber in me.you are an inspiration,and i know the type of people you are talking about.. Theres a guy I work with at a movie store who is different,and the kids at school made his life a living hell.But one day they will look back and wish they had treated people better than that.Take Care And keep the videos coming! Zach.

[TheBashar99]

What a great video. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us. I enjoyed your honesty. The conversation that Dave and I had has not had much input from people with cognitive disabilities. I greatly appreciate the added dimension of understanding that you bring to the discussion. I look forward to any future videos you may wish to share with us.

[Clereece]

Sent here by CoquiDave. Nice to meet you. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

[scrumsrus]

Thank you sooo much for sharing that with us. strongly believe that nobody can truely understand what it is like to be mentally disabled, but today you allowed us to walk a short way in yur shoes. Thank You.

God Bless,

Take Care,

Health & Happiness,

Regards & Best Wishes,

Andy

[Beatleologist]

You have a new subscriber...

[fusantima]

Thanks for sharinf your views with us.

Is that a puppy you have there in your hands?

[silentmiaow]

It's a wooden cat, someone I know online sent it to me.