CNN iReport looking for parents with disabilities

[LisaJoy]

http://www.ireport.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=432759&hpt=Sbin

Thought some of you might be interested in this.

[angel]

I have seriously been giving this some thought. I am still on the fence as I am not sure how to approach this. I have passed the idea along to see what friends and family think and they all say i should go for it. I discussed it with my son and he said he thought it would be a good idea.
My issue is what do they want? My son is 13 years old. I have been doing this for SO LONG that it doesn't seem like a challenge to us at all. We figured things out along the way and it wasn't that hard really. So would our story even be that interesting?
What do I put into it since he is old enough to basically do most things for himself now? Do i show the way I cook, do laundry? Do I tell how he has helped carry grocery's in the house since he was a little guy because i couldn't do it? Do I tell how it really wasn't as hard as everyone thinks it was?
I guess what worries me is exposing ourselves to a large group of people. Just not sure if it would be of any benifit at all.

Angel

[LisaJoy]

Angel, I think the best message you could send would be that parents with disabilities are more like other parents than different! People with disabilities are "normal." I didn't take the time to look at any of the clips already on there - maybe they'd give you some ideas. You could always just play around with it -- you don't have to upload anything in the end if you don't want to.

[Dodger67]

I think showing them just how "normal" a mother you are is perfect.

First destroy the common myth that just because you're disabled does not automatically mean you're a "welfare case".
Get your husband to tell the "mauled by a bear" joke!
Take them shopping - in your own car, cussing at the a-holes who take the disabled parking spots illegally.

There, I've given you three scenes for your script to start with

[angel]

Dodger you are so full of wonderful ideas. I think i will give it a shot. Now to get someone to film it for me. Ill let ya know how it goes!

Angel

[LisaJoy]

And let us know when you submit it, so that we can all watch!

[Dodger67]

There are two teenage boys in your household - a ready made film crew - and they're cheap, will work for pizza! :dance2:
Your husband's professional skills aren't entirely irrelevant either.

[Gymp]

This should be good...
Go Angel Go...Go,Go,Go...

Gymp

[Justy Me]

I have seriously been giving this some thought. I am still on the fence as I am not sure how to approach this. I have passed the idea along to see what friends and family think and they all say i should go for it. I discussed it with my son and he said he thought it would be a good idea.
My issue is what do they want? My son is 13 years old. I have been doing this for SO LONG that it doesn't seem like a challenge to us at all. We figured things out along the way and it wasn't that hard really. So would our story even be that interesting?
What do I put into it since he is old enough to basically do most things for himself now? Do i show the way I cook, do laundry? Do I tell how he has helped carry grocery's in the house since he was a little guy because i couldn't do it? Do I tell how it really wasn't as hard as everyone thinks it was?
I guess what worries me is exposing ourselves to a large group of people. Just not sure if it would be of any benifit at all.

Angel

Angel, unfortunately the CNN iReport on Parents with Disabilities is now closed. I'm sure you would've been awesome had you been a part of it, though.

[LisaJoy]

I think you should do the video anyway! There's always youtube.

[Dodger67]

We want to see the movie anyway. The concept is too good not to do it.

[Justy Me]

I think you should do the video anyway! There's always youtube.

I agree youtube is an awesome venue for such a thing. I'm sure a lot of people would get something good out of it.

[Gymp]

... I'm sure a lot of people would get something good out of it...

Very true!
It would show able bodied people how "normal" we really are and how we do things just like them,there's no difference!
It'd also be a possible inspiration for moms with kids that have SB showing we are like the rest of the population and they really don't have that much to fear as their kids grow up.
Help those with SB who are down in the dumps about their SB,it might just drag them out of the hole they're in.
Maybe even change the views of some of them damn doctors that are telling pregnant moms to abort their Sb diagnosed babies.

Gymp

[angel]

Now I am gonna have to put more thought into it than i origionally had. Just had gotten pics picked out and what i was going to do and the kids to shoot it when i found out that opertunity had already closed.
I would love to think that my "story" would have such a positive affect on people. I won't lie and say I don't feel kind of wierd about it. All my life i have blended in "or at least made myself believe i did" and now I will be putting it out there. Well like they say doing the same thing and expecting different results is insanity. Guess I should step out of my comfort zone and give it a shot. Hope if any bloggers see it they are nice though lol every read any of those things. Some people are vicious!!!

Angel

[Dodger67]

Don't touch a camera before you have a well developed storyboard and script (it need not be a very detailed script - there's no need for every single word to be preplanned- if you're good at ad-libbing you just need to put down in the script what you're going to talk about. I'm thinking your son can interview you in a news/documentary style. "We're off to the mall with Mom.... (shot Mom getting into the car) (shot - arriving at the mall parking lot: Interviewer: "What bothers you most about malls when you arrive?" Answer: (while looking for an empty disabled parking spot). In the mall a shot or two of gawkers and shop assistants being condescending or talking as if you're stupid. Here the camera crew have to back away a bit so that its not too obvious that you're the subject - otherwise the jerks might not "perform".

OK enough from me - your husband isn't a newbie at this stuff.

[LisaJoy]

No pressure, Angel! :)

[angel]

thanks for the idea. I am entirely to "type B" to plan anything. I am a spur of the moment, ad lib, fly by the seat of my pants type gal. Got a couple ideas in my head on how to do it. :)

Angel

[Justy Me]

Maybe even change the views of some of them damn doctors that are telling pregnant moms to abort their Sb diagnosed babies.

Gymp



I cannot BELIEVE that now in 2010, with plenty of evidence to the contrary, doctors are still recommending abortion due to the supposed low quality of life. :33a:

[bcain]

All my interactions with professionals were positive, and it's a good thing because I would have made a different choice if I thought I couldn't have handled it. ....and I cried from guilt and relief when I visited the SBA website and read the parents letters there about the successful children and adults they raised with sb.

[valerie]

ah thats a shame, would have been great to see!!!