The Triangle Girl

For more information on the Envisioning New Meanings project, please visit: http://www.envisioningnewmeanings.ca

Video made by Taryn Green for the Envisioning New Meanings of Disability and Difference Project (Sudbury) in the Summer of 2008.
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There once was a girl, she was made out of triangles. When she came home her mom laughed, because she was made out of triangles. Her Dad laughed too, but her sister didnt. When she went to bed, she prayed to God to make her look like the other people. When she woke up, she looked in the mirror and she was the same as everyone else.

I was six years old when I wrote this story. I remember painstakingly writing each letter and being extra careful not to misspell anything. Im not sure if I felt as though I was the Triangle Girl, but I did feel connected to her difference. I understood the sadness she felt when others laughed. I understood her need for a happy ending.

That year, The Triangle Girl was read while I was being interviewed on the local Easter Seals Telethon. It was hailed as an inspirational story by an inspirational young girl.




I revisited this story and the taped Easter Seals Telethon interview while doing a Masters paper on Disability. I realized how the story was used as a way to attract the audience to the idea that, by donating, they had the godly power to fix these disabled children.

The Triangle girl keeps coming back. I keep rewriting her.
Now I dont want to be like everyone else. But, it was never about moulding to conform and it was never about being rescued - it was about shaping myself into someone new.

I am someone who can stand proud, confident and self-aware someone who can walk alongside the best and know that I belong there.

Voice Over, Edited, Written by: Taryn Green
Background Music: Time of Your Life, Green Day

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Disability
• Envisioning
• Triangle
• Cerebral
• Palsy
• Easter
• Seals
• Telethon
• difference

[qqnpp]

Taryn this is amazing! So excited to be working with you this summer. :)

[aiaiyo]

that was awesome...very inspiring

[anneharland]

Taryn:

Thank you for taking the time to share your story...very nicely done.Yes it seems that many 'not for profit charities' are 'at the end of the day' a business.The means used to solicit funds don't always promote positive images of people with disabilities.