tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post6500902972777428450..comments2024-03-28T03:35:52.176-04:00Comments on Love That Max : Developmentally delayed parents (and the kids who love them)Ellen Seidmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-39077598785565224252010-02-17T11:18:40.401-05:002010-02-17T11:18:40.401-05:00Hello,
I like your blog. You might be interested ...Hello,<br />I like your blog. You might be interested in a film festival I am planning on March 27 for Vinfen. It's called Moving Images and its a film festival for people living with psychiatric and developmental disabilities. We will be screening Shooting Beauty, The Soloist and Joe Pantoliano's film No Kidding, Me Too!. Joe will also be attending. www.vinfen.org.Laura Goldberghttp://www.vinfen.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-73367185770322716732010-02-16T01:21:18.897-05:002010-02-16T01:21:18.897-05:00Hey! Yes, I was there that same night. Glad you ar...Hey! Yes, I was there that same night. Glad you are enjoying the blog.Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-75734928183781561032010-02-14T17:12:15.359-05:002010-02-14T17:12:15.359-05:00I saw Shooting Beauty as part of Reelabilities too...I saw Shooting Beauty as part of Reelabilities too, and I have a feeling you must have been there when I was - were you there the Saturday night at the JCC in Manhattan? By the way, I've been reading bits of your blog for awhile now and I love it!Cara Liebowitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11860032209178249016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-47365792356679178772010-02-04T11:09:58.420-05:002010-02-04T11:09:58.420-05:00Ellen-
This is Courtney Bent, producer and project...Ellen-<br />This is Courtney Bent, producer and project founder for the film 'Shooting Beauty' which you wrote about in this blog. Thank you SO much for your beautiful and honest words. They brought tears to my eyes. <br /><br />For anyone that's interested,<br />DVDs of 'Shooting Beauty' can be purchased and screenings can be arranged by contacting us directly at shootingbeauty2009@gmail.com<br /><br />Our website:<br />http://www.EveryoneDeservesaShot.com<br /><br />This is a link to a video showing audience reactions to the film.<br />http://vimeo.com/7147729<br /><br />And thank you, Ellen, for everything you're doing with this blog. You've created an incredible place for parents of children with disabilities to share their experiences, fears, triumphs. A place that I know a lot of my friends will benefit from.<br /><br />Best wishes-<br />Courtney Bentcourtney benthttp://everyonedeservesashot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-26052453282959062842010-02-03T07:28:26.361-05:002010-02-03T07:28:26.361-05:00This movie looks amazing! I am definitely on the ...This movie looks amazing! I am definitely on the defensive side still. I really need to turn that around and learn to engage people instead. Your posts always get me thinking!Wherever HE Leads We'll Gohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15042627234253638468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-6194937264007673482010-02-03T02:17:54.475-05:002010-02-03T02:17:54.475-05:00Pick me, pick me. I need help. So far my daughte...Pick me, pick me. I need help. So far my daughter doesn't really stand out in a crowd, as she is a beautiful girl and it is not unexpected to carry an 18 month old around, but what will happen in the future? Will I be punching strangers in stores? I caught my stepson mocking her mode of butt scooting and nearly lost my mind. Help. Help.GingerBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09976594257345428901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-41246358610995239412010-02-03T00:11:01.862-05:002010-02-03T00:11:01.862-05:00Ellen, I think you should write the What to Expect...Ellen, I think you should write the What to Expect Book. I know you must want to just kill anyone who is staring at Max, but just know that anyone who spends even a few minutes with Max quickly gets past his differences and realizes how special and loving he is. Maybe that's what some people are seeing when they are staring - maybe they are marveling at his courage and his perseverance. That's what I see when I look at Max.Wendynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-73686233020617496992010-02-02T23:22:12.975-05:002010-02-02T23:22:12.975-05:00I am wowed as well. This looks like an amazing mov...I am wowed as well. This looks like an amazing movie! There is also a new movie coming out with Claire Danes playing a girl with autism that I'm excited about.Tara Bennetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18445133464180170403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-24715346855611756452010-02-02T22:56:25.098-05:002010-02-02T22:56:25.098-05:00That looks amazing. I was thinking about getting M...That looks amazing. I was thinking about getting Mal a camera for his birthday. That just sealed the deal and don't worry - I am still defensive when people stare at Mal and I still get nervous when I can't cover Ivy's port access up properly and people ask questions.tiff(threeringcircus)https://www.blogger.com/profile/08420950909441334594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-77322429459082018052010-02-02T22:40:55.495-05:002010-02-02T22:40:55.495-05:00You are so honest and inspiring! I just heard abou...You are so honest and inspiring! I just heard about another book "A different dream for my child" that I am ordering. I would love to see this movie too. I will keep my eye out for it, <br /><br />Thanks for sharing.Sock Monkey Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04116922593191296783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-58596115511926260462010-02-02T22:29:02.073-05:002010-02-02T22:29:02.073-05:00Ellen,
This is such a good post. After my girls w...Ellen,<br />This is such a good post. After my girls were born, I threw away my What to Expect books, but boy would I love the Special Needs version.<br /><br />Would love to see the film!<br />BillieBilliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10589229199716201638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-14977150747957105092010-02-02T21:50:43.277-05:002010-02-02T21:50:43.277-05:00Sounds fabulous. I love your description of the g...Sounds fabulous. I love your description of the guidebook--at six months you stop crying every day.Katyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02189007616883663434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-15442495049403589862010-02-02T21:41:35.156-05:002010-02-02T21:41:35.156-05:00Applause!Applause!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-33691321683969281612010-02-02T21:30:56.191-05:002010-02-02T21:30:56.191-05:00I like to think that I have always been rather ope...I like to think that I have always been rather open about Skyler's condition. When people stare or comment on his eyes I like to tell them why they are crossed, I like to make people think, and honestly (I don't mean this in a bad way) I like to make them a little bit uncomfortable. Because it's kind of like hey you were staring at him or pointing or whatever and now you know he is blind, he's a real person with real feelings, he just happens to be blind. And most people feel like jerks when they find out he is blind. And then they feel sorry for him, and I like to take a moment to make them realize that there is nothing to be sorry for. If I can open up one or two people's eyes about the myth that disabled people need pity then I am happy. What we all need is respect.Azaerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00778026696324592463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-8763220262583209812010-02-02T21:29:20.680-05:002010-02-02T21:29:20.680-05:00Interesting post Ellen. Nice to come away from an...Interesting post Ellen. Nice to come away from an event with such a solid shift.Knowledge Safarihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07344781242633035218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-30995187466822696632010-02-02T19:31:03.107-05:002010-02-02T19:31:03.107-05:00this would be an inspireing project to do with di...this would be an inspireing project to do with different age groups. I would love to see this movie I hope I get pickedAZ Chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07649451111980332722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-19306618752204385902010-02-02T19:29:44.100-05:002010-02-02T19:29:44.100-05:00Wow, I'd love to see this movie. It would be ...Wow, I'd love to see this movie. It would be great from two angles. One, as a person with a disability who totally experiences the staring. And two, as a special education teacher, I could share this with other teachers in my building. It's funny. I hate the staring and always strive to educate people about it when it happens to me. BUT I feel totally defensive when it happens to the kids. Anyway, I'd LOVE to have a copy of this! Thank you for offering it!<br />~Marianne<br />marmaid91@hotmail.comMariannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-9329043108653704502010-02-02T18:38:00.727-05:002010-02-02T18:38:00.727-05:00I would totally buy that "What to Expect"...I would totally buy that "What to Expect" book if it would exist.Hopeful Motherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15339776324264791028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-8714546937452046362010-02-02T17:42:07.639-05:002010-02-02T17:42:07.639-05:00Ellen
Yay for the insights this movie gives.
Th...Ellen<br />Yay for the insights this movie gives. <br /><br />The staring has never worried me, I always use it as a teaching opportunity, for people to get to know Mac, to say hi. The reason we "pimp his ride" (wheelchair) is to create conversation starters. <br /><br />I am a big believer in the 'sh*t happens' concepts in life, it's just that I am turning my 'sh*t sandwich' into the most amazing gourmet feast imaginable.<br /><br />Now, if I could just remove some of the red tape to allow Mac to live his best life without hinderance we'd be cruisin'. Mac's biggest disability is society, the lack of access and understanding so we might as well change it little by little.<br /><br />GinaGina @ Inky Ed!http://inkyed.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-47139268651933461442010-02-02T16:03:41.800-05:002010-02-02T16:03:41.800-05:00Ellen -- looks like such an inspiring video!! :)Ellen -- looks like such an inspiring video!! :)Melissa Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975477573895818097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-40379515636179303912010-02-02T16:02:02.291-05:002010-02-02T16:02:02.291-05:00Me! Me! Oh please me!!!Me! Me! Oh please me!!!Finding Normalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15542473853342128094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-5384581272634792512010-02-02T15:40:23.586-05:002010-02-02T15:40:23.586-05:00Our little girl, who is 3.5, has one of those '...Our little girl, who is 3.5, has one of those 'invisible' disabilities: she is on the autism spectrum. On the surface, she looks 'normal' and only begins to elicit stares and comments when she doesn't engage with those who are trying to get her attention, or when she engages somewhat inappropriately. Frankly, I'm not even sure what to do in this context. Some of her preschool mates or random kids on the playground will ask me, or another adult (like their parents) things like "Can she talk?" "Why doesn't she talk?" and, if I'm the one on the receiving end of the question, I'll answer something like: "she can talk, but she talks a lot less than some of the other kids. But she understands everything you are saying." If, however, the question is addressed to some other adult, I don't have control over the situation, and that leaves me feeling defensive (and often depressed). This happened a while back with our neighbor's kid: she asked her mom this question, and followed it up with: "Is she a baby?" The mother--who knows our daughter since birth and who used to be our friend before this incident--said nothing. I had to step in and educate. I hate that part of the process of being a special needs mom and suspect I always will. <br /><br />Anyway, thanks for posting this---abbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03403145277760263562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-84976796985648859032010-02-02T15:31:23.780-05:002010-02-02T15:31:23.780-05:00I would love to see this documentary!! As an adult...I would love to see this documentary!! As an adult adjusting to life in a wheelchair, I too am still stuck in the defensive attitude all too often.Bethanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03739014153757925986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-87072834378719198222010-02-02T15:06:38.282-05:002010-02-02T15:06:38.282-05:00I've been discussing adopting with my family o...I've been discussing adopting with my family over the past few months, specifically adopting a child from Ukraine. My 15 year old son's reaction to seeing some of the children my husband & I are considering was: "I don't want a retarded brother."<br /><br />Sigh. <br /><br />He has ADHD & Bi-Polar Disorder.What he doesn't know is how hard it has been at times to cope with his special needs, and help others accept them. Especially since his issues are <i>not</i> visible, but the behaviors associated with them are <i>very</i> obvious. I've read all of the "what to expect" books. None of them say anything about what to expect when your child is diagnosed with a disability, visible or otherwise.Rubyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12910016061902071314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-13644274700605958382010-02-02T15:00:15.116-05:002010-02-02T15:00:15.116-05:00I absolutely love your blog; mostly because I lear...I absolutely love your blog; mostly because I learn so much, and well, who wouldn't love Max and your family? :)The first post of yours that I read was the one explaining how to properly react when meeting a child with special needs. Thank you for teaching me and many others so much!April O.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04941438195870742623noreply@blogger.com