THE AWARENESS FRONT
So good news on that front today:
"A series of billboards with some major star-power behind them are popping up
across the country in an effort to promote acceptance of people with
intellectual disabilities.
The advertisements feature celebrities including actor Rob Lowe, former model
Cindy Crawford and Food Network star Guy Fieri. Each is shown paired alongside a
friend with special needs who they’ve connected with through Best Buddies, a
national nonprofit that promotes one-on-one friendships between those with and
without disabilities.
Billboards are currently up in the New York City area, New England and in
California. Additional displays are also planned in Florida and Washington,
D.C., according to Best Buddies.
Officials with the group say they are hopeful that the advertisements will
encourage others to befriend those with disabilities and increase employment
opportunities for this population."
“Morale is a state of mind. It is steadfastness and courage and hope. It is confidence and zeal and loyalty. It is elan, ésprit de corps, and determination.”--George C. Marshall (1880-1959)
"The only thing that separates successful people from the nes who aren't is the willingness to work very, very hard."-Helen Gurley Brown
Monday, June 11, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
"WONDER"
So I am one of those on the growing list of folks who are reading the book "Wonder", by R.J. Palacio. It's a book about a 10 year old boy with a very significant facial difference, and how he deals with his peers, adults, society... Obviously we can all see how this book would be of interest to the Moebius community, and I know of number of people are reading it. I'm not done with it yet; I'm only about 1/3 of the way through the book. But here are some early impressions:
1] I do think everyone should read it. Ms. Palacio does not have a facial difference of her own; but obviously she knows of what she's writing. Judging by the book's insights and perceptiveness, you'd swear this actually was the voice of a 10 year old with a facial difference.
2] A truth: August (the boy in the story with the physical difference) often doesn't like to look others in the face; he's so conscious of how different he is. I think many of us in the Moebius community have that problem, too.
3] Another truth: August at another point in the story says something like: the main reason that I know I'm different, that I know I'm not an ordinary kid, is because other people don't consider me to be ordinary. And that's reall it, isn't it? What's really crucial in defining what's "normal"? In the end, it comes down to what most people see as being normal.
4] So many other kids talk about August behind his back; waiting until he passes them in the hall, whispering about him while trying to hide their mouths behind their hands... They all think August doesn't see this; but he does. As do we with Moebius notice it, when people talk about us or look at us funny.
I'll post more about this as I read it; in the meantime, if youi're a parent whose child has Moebius??? You especially will want to read this book. It'll give you great insight into what you child goes through, or will go through.
“Mistakes are the portals of discovery.”--James Joyce (1882-1941)
"Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future." -Robert Schuller
So I am one of those on the growing list of folks who are reading the book "Wonder", by R.J. Palacio. It's a book about a 10 year old boy with a very significant facial difference, and how he deals with his peers, adults, society... Obviously we can all see how this book would be of interest to the Moebius community, and I know of number of people are reading it. I'm not done with it yet; I'm only about 1/3 of the way through the book. But here are some early impressions:
1] I do think everyone should read it. Ms. Palacio does not have a facial difference of her own; but obviously she knows of what she's writing. Judging by the book's insights and perceptiveness, you'd swear this actually was the voice of a 10 year old with a facial difference.
2] A truth: August (the boy in the story with the physical difference) often doesn't like to look others in the face; he's so conscious of how different he is. I think many of us in the Moebius community have that problem, too.
3] Another truth: August at another point in the story says something like: the main reason that I know I'm different, that I know I'm not an ordinary kid, is because other people don't consider me to be ordinary. And that's reall it, isn't it? What's really crucial in defining what's "normal"? In the end, it comes down to what most people see as being normal.
4] So many other kids talk about August behind his back; waiting until he passes them in the hall, whispering about him while trying to hide their mouths behind their hands... They all think August doesn't see this; but he does. As do we with Moebius notice it, when people talk about us or look at us funny.
I'll post more about this as I read it; in the meantime, if youi're a parent whose child has Moebius??? You especially will want to read this book. It'll give you great insight into what you child goes through, or will go through.
“Mistakes are the portals of discovery.”--James Joyce (1882-1941)
"Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future." -Robert Schuller
Thursday, June 7, 2012
WHAT A FEW PEOPLE OUT THERE THINK OF US
I guess you could say that the following link might be a bit hard to take; it might even make you somewhat angry. But still, it's important for us to have all the information that we can; it's important for us to know what some folks think when they see or think about someone with Moebius Syndrome. And at times it's not something good. For example, if you go here, to an online magazine put out by an outfit called United Academicis.org, you see this:
"The world is full of of embarrassing conditions you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. Every week, Carian discusses one. This week: Moebius Syndrome."
Now, the short article that follows is pretty much fair and accurate, and is certainly not mean or vicious. But is that really what some people think when they see us? That our condition is "embarrassing" and something "you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy"? If so, that's pretty sad. I don't go out every day feeling embarrassed. I hope you don't either. There is prejudice out there. We have to know that. But we can't let it stop us.
AND ON THE OTHER HAND...THERE'S GOOD NEWS
Because others out there are much more understanding and accepting. Another site, humintell.com, tells the story of Moebius hero Matilyn Branch, whom you've all probably heard of by now. Note especially what Matilyn's first grade teacher had to say:
"Facial expressions are fundamental pieces of communication that we encounter and process, often times, unconsciously everyday.
Many people take them for granted and don’t realize how much facial expressions help us to analyze the situations and people around us. What if you were unable to express your emotions through your facial expressions? Life would be very different.
Matilyn Branch is a 6-year-old who can’t smile reports Lubbock Online Journal. She and her family have learned to adjust to the very different kind of communication that comes without facial expressions. Matilyn has Moebius Syndrome, a neurological disorder, which afflicts the muscles of the face often times making even blinking difficult.
Moebius Syndrome is a paralysis or extreme weakness of facial muscles. This means that Matilyn cannot smile or even move her eyes from side to side. Her first grade teacher says that does not stop her from excelling in school.
“This school year I have learned as much from Matilyn as she has learned from me,” said Braquet. “Matilyn is a very sweet girl and an amazing student.”
Her parents also comment,
“We want people to know that if they see us in public, or anyone else who is different, to not be scared,” said Harvey. “Be respectful and … come and talk to us.”
Gee...somehow that teacher didn't find Matilyn to be "embarrassing."
We just need to keep raising awareness; there remains a job to do there. But we make progress every day, as this story shows.
“I think you should take your job seriously, but not yourself- that is the best combination. ”--Dame Judy Dench (born 1934)
"We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as unsolvable problems." -John W. Gardner
I guess you could say that the following link might be a bit hard to take; it might even make you somewhat angry. But still, it's important for us to have all the information that we can; it's important for us to know what some folks think when they see or think about someone with Moebius Syndrome. And at times it's not something good. For example, if you go here, to an online magazine put out by an outfit called United Academicis.org, you see this:
"The world is full of of embarrassing conditions you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. Every week, Carian discusses one. This week: Moebius Syndrome."
Now, the short article that follows is pretty much fair and accurate, and is certainly not mean or vicious. But is that really what some people think when they see us? That our condition is "embarrassing" and something "you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy"? If so, that's pretty sad. I don't go out every day feeling embarrassed. I hope you don't either. There is prejudice out there. We have to know that. But we can't let it stop us.
AND ON THE OTHER HAND...THERE'S GOOD NEWS
Because others out there are much more understanding and accepting. Another site, humintell.com, tells the story of Moebius hero Matilyn Branch, whom you've all probably heard of by now. Note especially what Matilyn's first grade teacher had to say:
"Facial expressions are fundamental pieces of communication that we encounter and process, often times, unconsciously everyday.
Many people take them for granted and don’t realize how much facial expressions help us to analyze the situations and people around us. What if you were unable to express your emotions through your facial expressions? Life would be very different.
Matilyn Branch is a 6-year-old who can’t smile reports Lubbock Online Journal. She and her family have learned to adjust to the very different kind of communication that comes without facial expressions. Matilyn has Moebius Syndrome, a neurological disorder, which afflicts the muscles of the face often times making even blinking difficult.
Moebius Syndrome is a paralysis or extreme weakness of facial muscles. This means that Matilyn cannot smile or even move her eyes from side to side. Her first grade teacher says that does not stop her from excelling in school.
“This school year I have learned as much from Matilyn as she has learned from me,” said Braquet. “Matilyn is a very sweet girl and an amazing student.”
Her parents also comment,
“We want people to know that if they see us in public, or anyone else who is different, to not be scared,” said Harvey. “Be respectful and … come and talk to us.”
Gee...somehow that teacher didn't find Matilyn to be "embarrassing."
We just need to keep raising awareness; there remains a job to do there. But we make progress every day, as this story shows.
“I think you should take your job seriously, but not yourself- that is the best combination. ”--Dame Judy Dench (born 1934)
"We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as unsolvable problems." -John W. Gardner
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
HEALTH NEWS
Once again, we see today that when it comes to exercising, the watchword is: moderation...in all things, moderation:
"For people who exercise but fret that they really should be working out more, new studies may be soothing. The amount of exercise needed to improve health and longevity, this new science shows, is modest, and more is not necessarily better.
That is the message of the newest and perhaps most compelling of the studies, which was presented on Saturday at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in San Francisco. For it, researchers at the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health and other institutions combed through the health records of 52,656 American adults who’d undergone physicals between 1971 and 2002 as part of the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study at the Cooper Institute in Dallas. Each participant completed physical testing and activity questionnaires and returned for at least one follow-up visit.
The researchers found that about 27 percent of the participants reported regularly running, although in wildly varying amounts and paces.
The scientists then checked death reports.
Over the course of the study, 2,984 of the participants died. But the incidence was much lower among the group that ran. Those participants had, on average, a 19 percent lower risk of dying from any cause than non-runners.
Notably, in closely parsing the participants’ self-reported activities, the researchers found that running in moderation provided the most benefits. Those who ran 1 to 20 miles per week at an average pace of about 10 or 11 minutes per mile — in other words, jogging — reduced their risk of dying during the study more effectively than those who didn’t run, those (admittedly few) who ran more than 20 miles a week, and those who typically ran at a pace swifter than seven miles an hour."
"PUSH GIRLS"--A REVIEW
So last night I watched an episode of the new reality show "Push Girls"; I'd DVR'd it a night or two earlier. The show is about 4 young, attractive women who share one big thing in common--they are all confined to wheelchairs. They are disabled. One of the women was felled by a very rare disease that struck her when she was a girl. The other 3 were in very bad car accidents. One of them is a quadriplegic; she has limited use of her hands and arms, and must live with an in-home caregiver. The other three are paraplegics; they are paralyzed from the waist down, but have good use of their hands and arms.
So. What do we have here? On the whole, I'd urge Moebius adults and parents of children with Moebius to watch this show. It's interesting. And you can learn something. There are some things to keep in mind, of course: 1] The show can be found on the Sundance cable channel. I don't know how widely available it is; you'll want to check to see if you have it. The show does however have a website and soon episodes may be available to watch there, too. 2] There's some profanity and some, er, adult themes on the show. The show isn't for children. Still, for you adults out there I wouldn't let that distract you from watching it. 3] And I wouldn't claim that this show is about four average women, either. These are women who were and are very attractive; there are no facial differences here, folks. One of them was a model before she was had her accident. They all live in the Los Angeles area. They all have very strong personalities (but hey, you have to expect that; that's what TV wants).
But it's a good, interesting show. And we with Moebius Syndrome do have things in common with these women. For example, just from watching last night: 1] One of the girls remarked that sometimes dealings with other people can be difficult; "They're just not used to seeing someone in a wheelchair," she said. And for us, people just aren't used to seeing someone with the facial difference produced by Moebius. 2] Yet these women all had relationships going--with non-wheelchair-bound people. And several times it was said--the significant others of these girls emphasized that the fact that their partner was in a wheelchair simply didn't matter. And that can very much be the case for those of us with Moebius, too--those without it can relate to you, can want to be with you; it has happened over and over again. We've all seen it. 3] But it's true--we have to tell it like it is--there are times when a Push Girl, or someone with Moebius, will have big obstacles to overcome. For example, one of the young women in the show I watched last night was going to try to get back into modeling. And yet one of those she talked to stated just how difficult it would be for her; he compared someone in a wheelchair trying to be a model to someone without arms trying to pitch in major league baseball. And yet, though she knew the odds were against her, she was determined to try. She wasn't going to let anything stop her. And that's exactly the attitude we wth Moebius have to have, too.
Anyway. Each episode lasts 30 minutes. It's interesting; check the show out.
“Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future. ”--Deepak K. Chopra (born 1946)
“An invincible determination can accomplish almost anything, and in this lies the great distinction between great men and little men.”--Dr. Thomas Fuller (1608-1661)
Once again, we see today that when it comes to exercising, the watchword is: moderation...in all things, moderation:
"For people who exercise but fret that they really should be working out more, new studies may be soothing. The amount of exercise needed to improve health and longevity, this new science shows, is modest, and more is not necessarily better.
That is the message of the newest and perhaps most compelling of the studies, which was presented on Saturday at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in San Francisco. For it, researchers at the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health and other institutions combed through the health records of 52,656 American adults who’d undergone physicals between 1971 and 2002 as part of the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study at the Cooper Institute in Dallas. Each participant completed physical testing and activity questionnaires and returned for at least one follow-up visit.
The researchers found that about 27 percent of the participants reported regularly running, although in wildly varying amounts and paces.
The scientists then checked death reports.
Over the course of the study, 2,984 of the participants died. But the incidence was much lower among the group that ran. Those participants had, on average, a 19 percent lower risk of dying from any cause than non-runners.
Notably, in closely parsing the participants’ self-reported activities, the researchers found that running in moderation provided the most benefits. Those who ran 1 to 20 miles per week at an average pace of about 10 or 11 minutes per mile — in other words, jogging — reduced their risk of dying during the study more effectively than those who didn’t run, those (admittedly few) who ran more than 20 miles a week, and those who typically ran at a pace swifter than seven miles an hour."
"PUSH GIRLS"--A REVIEW
So last night I watched an episode of the new reality show "Push Girls"; I'd DVR'd it a night or two earlier. The show is about 4 young, attractive women who share one big thing in common--they are all confined to wheelchairs. They are disabled. One of the women was felled by a very rare disease that struck her when she was a girl. The other 3 were in very bad car accidents. One of them is a quadriplegic; she has limited use of her hands and arms, and must live with an in-home caregiver. The other three are paraplegics; they are paralyzed from the waist down, but have good use of their hands and arms.
So. What do we have here? On the whole, I'd urge Moebius adults and parents of children with Moebius to watch this show. It's interesting. And you can learn something. There are some things to keep in mind, of course: 1] The show can be found on the Sundance cable channel. I don't know how widely available it is; you'll want to check to see if you have it. The show does however have a website and soon episodes may be available to watch there, too. 2] There's some profanity and some, er, adult themes on the show. The show isn't for children. Still, for you adults out there I wouldn't let that distract you from watching it. 3] And I wouldn't claim that this show is about four average women, either. These are women who were and are very attractive; there are no facial differences here, folks. One of them was a model before she was had her accident. They all live in the Los Angeles area. They all have very strong personalities (but hey, you have to expect that; that's what TV wants).
But it's a good, interesting show. And we with Moebius Syndrome do have things in common with these women. For example, just from watching last night: 1] One of the girls remarked that sometimes dealings with other people can be difficult; "They're just not used to seeing someone in a wheelchair," she said. And for us, people just aren't used to seeing someone with the facial difference produced by Moebius. 2] Yet these women all had relationships going--with non-wheelchair-bound people. And several times it was said--the significant others of these girls emphasized that the fact that their partner was in a wheelchair simply didn't matter. And that can very much be the case for those of us with Moebius, too--those without it can relate to you, can want to be with you; it has happened over and over again. We've all seen it. 3] But it's true--we have to tell it like it is--there are times when a Push Girl, or someone with Moebius, will have big obstacles to overcome. For example, one of the young women in the show I watched last night was going to try to get back into modeling. And yet one of those she talked to stated just how difficult it would be for her; he compared someone in a wheelchair trying to be a model to someone without arms trying to pitch in major league baseball. And yet, though she knew the odds were against her, she was determined to try. She wasn't going to let anything stop her. And that's exactly the attitude we wth Moebius have to have, too.
Anyway. Each episode lasts 30 minutes. It's interesting; check the show out.
“Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future. ”--Deepak K. Chopra (born 1946)
“An invincible determination can accomplish almost anything, and in this lies the great distinction between great men and little men.”--Dr. Thomas Fuller (1608-1661)
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
EVEN KRISTEN STEWART WAS BULLIED
When she was in high school, as she recounted recently:
"It's not easy being Kristen Stewart.
The "Snow White and the Huntsman" actress, 22, opens up to Vanity Fair about how she was bullied as a teenager for not dressing like her peers. "Look at a picture of me before I was 15. I am a boy. I wore my brother's clothes, dude!" she says in the magazine's July issue. "Not like I cared that much, but I remember being made fun of because I wasn't wearing Juicy jeans. I didn't even think about it. I wore my gym clothes."
Stewart continues: "But it's not like I didn't care that they made fun of me. It really bothered me. I remember this girl in sixth grade looked at me in gym and was like, 'Oh my God! That's disgusting -- you don't shave your legs!'"
Now in considering this, several things come to my mind:
1] For one thing, once again we are reminded: we're not alone. It's not just persons with Moebius Syndrome or other obvious physical differences who get bullied. It can happen to anyone.
2] At the same time, something tells me that the bullying persons like Ms. Stewart received...well, just doesn't quite rise to the level of the bullying someone with Moebius would get. It's just not the same thing--it's not the same level of staring, or viciousness. It's important that we not sort of dumb down the definition of bullying, that we not include every kind of small-time pettiness or nastiness and call it all bullying.
3] Still, it's good that this issue is receiving the attention that it is.
LIFE WITH A PHYSICAL DIFFERENCE COMES TO TV
Meanwhile, have you heard about the newest reality show on TV? It's about 4 women and their lives in wheelchairs:
"Life with a disability will be front and center on television this summer as a new reality show focuses on four women who just happen to be in wheelchairs.
The show, “Push Girls,” follows a group of Los Angeles-area friends through the trials and tribulations of dating, having kids and establishing their careers.
The show’s stars all have paralysis — either as the result of a car accident or an illness — after starting life able to walk.
In keeping with the traditions of reality TV, they each have strong personalities. Auti Angel, for example, is a dancer, rapper and actress who’s trying for a baby while Angela Rockwood is a model who’s dealing with her recent separation from her husband.
Rather than focus on their disabilities, however, the women say they want people to see how typical their lives really are.
“Plenty of people have no idea what it’s like to spend the day in the life of someone with a disability, let alone a spinal cord injury. How do we get in and out of a car? How do we go to the bathroom? How do we go grocery shopping? How do we get in the shower, how do we get dressed?,” said Tiphany Adams, one of the show’s stars. “I thought it was a brilliant idea for the world to see that.”
The show, by the way, is on the Sundance cable channel; I've recorded a couple of episodes and will be reviewing the show soon.
“Morale is a state of mind. It is steadfastness and courage and hope. It is confidence and zeal and loyalty. It is elan, ésprit de corps, and determination. ”--George C. Marshall (1880-1959)
"If it’s not fun, you are not doing it right." -Fran Tarkenton
When she was in high school, as she recounted recently:
"It's not easy being Kristen Stewart.
The "Snow White and the Huntsman" actress, 22, opens up to Vanity Fair about how she was bullied as a teenager for not dressing like her peers. "Look at a picture of me before I was 15. I am a boy. I wore my brother's clothes, dude!" she says in the magazine's July issue. "Not like I cared that much, but I remember being made fun of because I wasn't wearing Juicy jeans. I didn't even think about it. I wore my gym clothes."
Stewart continues: "But it's not like I didn't care that they made fun of me. It really bothered me. I remember this girl in sixth grade looked at me in gym and was like, 'Oh my God! That's disgusting -- you don't shave your legs!'"
Now in considering this, several things come to my mind:
1] For one thing, once again we are reminded: we're not alone. It's not just persons with Moebius Syndrome or other obvious physical differences who get bullied. It can happen to anyone.
2] At the same time, something tells me that the bullying persons like Ms. Stewart received...well, just doesn't quite rise to the level of the bullying someone with Moebius would get. It's just not the same thing--it's not the same level of staring, or viciousness. It's important that we not sort of dumb down the definition of bullying, that we not include every kind of small-time pettiness or nastiness and call it all bullying.
3] Still, it's good that this issue is receiving the attention that it is.
LIFE WITH A PHYSICAL DIFFERENCE COMES TO TV
Meanwhile, have you heard about the newest reality show on TV? It's about 4 women and their lives in wheelchairs:
"Life with a disability will be front and center on television this summer as a new reality show focuses on four women who just happen to be in wheelchairs.
The show, “Push Girls,” follows a group of Los Angeles-area friends through the trials and tribulations of dating, having kids and establishing their careers.
The show’s stars all have paralysis — either as the result of a car accident or an illness — after starting life able to walk.
In keeping with the traditions of reality TV, they each have strong personalities. Auti Angel, for example, is a dancer, rapper and actress who’s trying for a baby while Angela Rockwood is a model who’s dealing with her recent separation from her husband.
Rather than focus on their disabilities, however, the women say they want people to see how typical their lives really are.
“Plenty of people have no idea what it’s like to spend the day in the life of someone with a disability, let alone a spinal cord injury. How do we get in and out of a car? How do we go to the bathroom? How do we go grocery shopping? How do we get in the shower, how do we get dressed?,” said Tiphany Adams, one of the show’s stars. “I thought it was a brilliant idea for the world to see that.”
The show, by the way, is on the Sundance cable channel; I've recorded a couple of episodes and will be reviewing the show soon.
“Morale is a state of mind. It is steadfastness and courage and hope. It is confidence and zeal and loyalty. It is elan, ésprit de corps, and determination. ”--George C. Marshall (1880-1959)
"If it’s not fun, you are not doing it right." -Fran Tarkenton
Monday, June 4, 2012
SPEAKING OF BULLYING...
There are actually some good things happening. R.J. Palacio's new book, "Wonder", has led to some perhaps unexpected, but very good, developments that concern raising awareness of bullying. For example, look at what Random House publishers are doing:
" Those of you who were moved by R.J. Palacio's debut novel, Wonder (Knopf, 2012), will be pleased to know that her publisher has launched a campaign called Choose Kind to encourage kids, educators, and readers of all ages to join the fight against bullying.
Inspired by the book, about a fifth grader named Auggie who has a facial deformity and attends a mainstream school for the first time, the website offers a place where readers can share their experiences—either as victim, bully, or bystander—and pledge to combat the nationwide rise in bullying with every day acts of kindness.
"Celebrating those who have made the choice to be kind—not always an easy thing to do when you're a kid!—is the best way to raise awareness to this very simple fact: kindness is a virtue whose ripple effects can literally change the world," says Palacio (pictured below), whose debut novel is now a New York Times bestseller. "One child at a time, one person at a time, there's no greater antidote to bullying than the steadfast refusal of children, teachers, and parents to accept a culture where bullying is tolerated."
Choose Kind was designed for fans and supporters of the novel who've asked for additional resources to use when sharing the book and its message with families, schools, and communities across the country. Each section of the site offers an interactive user experience, where people can share a post, ranging from personal experiences of being bullied to moments where they wished they had stood up for someone else. Librarians can download lesson plans and a digital toolkit that offers printable stickers and web badges, as well as links to other anti-bullying efforts like the National Bullying Prevention Center, the It Gets Better project, and the National Education Association's Bully Free: It Starts with Me. They can also sign an online pledge to Choose Kind as a way to end bullying and print a certificate to display in the classroom. Also available are a video trailer of Wonder, many reviews, and links to the novel's social media channels. Random House UK, which published the book in March, and publishes Wonder for adult readers on June 6th, 2012, has joined the effort as well.
"Wonder has inspired us, and captured our hearts entirely," says Chip Gibson, president and publisher of Random House Children's Books. "The outpouring of enthusiasm from book lovers and educators moved us to share the poignant message of this novel with a wider audience. I am proud to give them-and anyone around the world-the opportunity to discover the story and to pledge with us to Choose Kind."
SLJ's starred review of Wonder describes it as a well-written, thought-provoking, fast read that would be a great "discussion starter about love, support, and judging people on their appearance." And the book has done just that in the few short months since its February release.
News of the novel spread quickly by word-of-mouth through its Twitter hashtag, #thewonderofwonder and its Facebook page, and the buzz grew as it became the topic of blog posts from parents, teachers, and librarians praising its universal message of empathy and kindness. There's even talk about it being a frontrunner for the 2013 Newbery Medal.
"Put this [book] in every school library everywhere, please! Every library anywhere, really," wrote Nicole Johnston on Betsy Bird's SLJ blog, which ranked Wonder #65 of the top 100 Children's Novels. "What I think it does best is create a magnifying glass that shows us how we react to differences through the frank and honest perspective of various kids' voices."
The Associated Press interviewed Clara Beatty, a nine-year-old girl with Treacher-Collins Syndrome, for a story and she already was reading Wonder. Her parents Janet and Eric said they were impressed with Palacio's ability to realistically portray Auggie's experience, noting "As a family with a child of facial difference, Wonder gives an amazingly accurate view of our world from a number of perspectives. We are hopeful that this story raises awareness of how being kind can be powerful."
Be sure to check out our interview with Palacio, who is one of our guest speakers at SLJ's Day of Dialog on Monday, June 4 at New York City's Jacob Javits Convention Center, where she'll talk about the book and its new campaign as part of our "Stellar Debuts" panel discussion focusing on new and noteworthy arrivals to the publishing scene."
“Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss.”--F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940)
There are actually some good things happening. R.J. Palacio's new book, "Wonder", has led to some perhaps unexpected, but very good, developments that concern raising awareness of bullying. For example, look at what Random House publishers are doing:
" Those of you who were moved by R.J. Palacio's debut novel, Wonder (Knopf, 2012), will be pleased to know that her publisher has launched a campaign called Choose Kind to encourage kids, educators, and readers of all ages to join the fight against bullying.
Inspired by the book, about a fifth grader named Auggie who has a facial deformity and attends a mainstream school for the first time, the website offers a place where readers can share their experiences—either as victim, bully, or bystander—and pledge to combat the nationwide rise in bullying with every day acts of kindness."Celebrating those who have made the choice to be kind—not always an easy thing to do when you're a kid!—is the best way to raise awareness to this very simple fact: kindness is a virtue whose ripple effects can literally change the world," says Palacio (pictured below), whose debut novel is now a New York Times bestseller. "One child at a time, one person at a time, there's no greater antidote to bullying than the steadfast refusal of children, teachers, and parents to accept a culture where bullying is tolerated."
Choose Kind was designed for fans and supporters of the novel who've asked for additional resources to use when sharing the book and its message with families, schools, and communities across the country. Each section of the site offers an interactive user experience, where people can share a post, ranging from personal experiences of being bullied to moments where they wished they had stood up for someone else. Librarians can download lesson plans and a digital toolkit that offers printable stickers and web badges, as well as links to other anti-bullying efforts like the National Bullying Prevention Center, the It Gets Better project, and the National Education Association's Bully Free: It Starts with Me. They can also sign an online pledge to Choose Kind as a way to end bullying and print a certificate to display in the classroom. Also available are a video trailer of Wonder, many reviews, and links to the novel's social media channels. Random House UK, which published the book in March, and publishes Wonder for adult readers on June 6th, 2012, has joined the effort as well.
"Wonder has inspired us, and captured our hearts entirely," says Chip Gibson, president and publisher of Random House Children's Books. "The outpouring of enthusiasm from book lovers and educators moved us to share the poignant message of this novel with a wider audience. I am proud to give them-and anyone around the world-the opportunity to discover the story and to pledge with us to Choose Kind."
SLJ's starred review of Wonder describes it as a well-written, thought-provoking, fast read that would be a great "discussion starter about love, support, and judging people on their appearance." And the book has done just that in the few short months since its February release.
News of the novel spread quickly by word-of-mouth through its Twitter hashtag, #thewonderofwonder and its Facebook page, and the buzz grew as it became the topic of blog posts from parents, teachers, and librarians praising its universal message of empathy and kindness. There's even talk about it being a frontrunner for the 2013 Newbery Medal.
"Put this [book] in every school library everywhere, please! Every library anywhere, really," wrote Nicole Johnston on Betsy Bird's SLJ blog, which ranked Wonder #65 of the top 100 Children's Novels. "What I think it does best is create a magnifying glass that shows us how we react to differences through the frank and honest perspective of various kids' voices."
The Associated Press interviewed Clara Beatty, a nine-year-old girl with Treacher-Collins Syndrome, for a story and she already was reading Wonder. Her parents Janet and Eric said they were impressed with Palacio's ability to realistically portray Auggie's experience, noting "As a family with a child of facial difference, Wonder gives an amazingly accurate view of our world from a number of perspectives. We are hopeful that this story raises awareness of how being kind can be powerful."
Be sure to check out our interview with Palacio, who is one of our guest speakers at SLJ's Day of Dialog on Monday, June 4 at New York City's Jacob Javits Convention Center, where she'll talk about the book and its new campaign as part of our "Stellar Debuts" panel discussion focusing on new and noteworthy arrivals to the publishing scene."
“Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss.”--F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940)
Friday, June 1, 2012
THE CONTINUING PROBLEM OF BULLYING
Yet another child kills himself because of it. We must continue to raise awareness of this problem--note by the way that one of the reasons this boy killed himself was because of a physical difference:
"A 12-year-old boy harassed by school bullies about his intelligence, his height and his deceased father killed himself in the New York City apartment he shared with his mother, according to relatives and those who knew him, NBCNewYork.com reported.
Yet another child kills himself because of it. We must continue to raise awareness of this problem--note by the way that one of the reasons this boy killed himself was because of a physical difference:
"A 12-year-old boy harassed by school bullies about his intelligence, his height and his deceased father killed himself in the New York City apartment he shared with his mother, according to relatives and those who knew him, NBCNewYork.com reported.
"I want to remember him as a happy kid," his anguished sister told NBC 4 New York on Thursday.
Joel Morales, of East Harlem, moved to a different school after enduring incessant taunting for months, but the bullying persisted, the fifth-grader’s family said.
Kids chased Morales, threw sticks and pipes at him and teased him for his smarts and his 4-foot-9 stature, his family said.
Morales’ anguish reached a breaking point when bullies taunted him about his father, who died when he was four years old, according to relatives.
His mother, Lisbeth Babilonia, found him hanging in their apartment at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, hours after she had organized a search party when he didn’t return home on time from an after-school club.
An occupational therapist who worked with Morales at one of the schools because of his diminutive size told NBC 4 New York the boy only reluctantly talked about his problems.
"It was very difficult, especially with a child like Joel who wants so badly to please everyone, to see that he was really in pain, that he was struggling," said Maria Ubiles.
Arlene Gago, a youth minister from a church group, said she spoke with Morales regularly at the Jefferson Houses where he lived but never knew of his distress.
"I always asked him, 'How you doing? How's school?'" she said. "We talked but he'd never tell me what was going on."
A classmate told Morales’ family that the boy had said he was tired of the bullying and told them the details of the remark about his father that sent him over the edge.
School officials declined to comment on the alleged bullying, citing privacy issues.
Police said Morales left no suicide note."
“Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground. ”--Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919)
“I have found no greater satisfaction than achieving success through honest dealing and strict adherence to the view that, for you to gain, those you deal with should gain as well. ”--Alan Greenspan (born 1926)
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