The book, "Out of My Mind" has become a Disney+'s film: Trailer Out Now!
Disability representation has made it to the big screen again. Finally!! Keep normalizing disability in TV, movies, and commercials -- everywhere!
Hey guys!
I’m so excited to share that my favorite book, Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper, has been turned into a movie, and the trailer is now out on Disney+!
The premise of the book:
The story follows Melody, a sixth-grader with cerebral palsy who is nonverbal. Despite being incredibly intelligent, most people around her don’t understand her because she can’t speak. Melody uses a communication board to express herself, trying to make sure her voice is heard by her parents, teachers, and classmates. She lives in a world that wasn’t built for her, but she’s determined to show people who she truly is. She’s navigating through friendship, family, hardships, and bullying due to her disability, while finding her voice and carrying her head up high!
My initial reaction: I was in tears
When I saw the trailer, I was in tears. After a long day of classes, I came home, got on YouTube, and found the Out of My Mind trailer. I clicked on it right away, and within seconds, I was crying so hard. My dad heard me and came rushing in, asking, “What’s wrong?” I could barely speak through my tears, but I showed him the trailer, and he said, “It’s your favorite book!” We watched it together, and it was such an emotional moment. We were so moved! If you want to find the trailer, it’s on the Disney+’s YouTube channel!
Afterthoughts: I was in awe
The trailer was great! I absolutely loved it! Phoebe-Rae Taylor, the actor who plays Melody (and who also has cerebral palsy), is hilarious, confident, and sassy. When she said, “It’s 2002, you’ve never seen a girl in a wheelchair who doesn’t speak before?” I couldn’t help but laugh. That line reminded me of how I felt when people used to stare at me when I was younger. That’s what I kept saying to my mom. It was so relatable! I also loved how Jennifer Aniston portrays Melody using her communication board, just like I used to before getting my eyegaze system. The parents in the trailer seem more caring than in the book, which is a nice touch. And I love that Melody has a crush and gets to talk about it with her friends. The trailer captures the humor, frustration, and joy of living with a disability so well.
Representation matters: I was heard
I’m so grateful to Disney+ for bringing this beautiful story to life and showing how Melody overcomes her challenges while enjoying life despite her CP. It’s especially great to see a real disabled actor playing a character who shares her disability. It’s awesome that younger disabled people and generations to come can see themselves in movies and TV. Disabled people can be encouraged by seeing someone in a wheelchair, crutches, using sign language, hearing aids on TV and movies. More disabled people probably will think “I can follow my dreams too because they look like me!” More disability representation will keep normalizing the word “ disability” and the disability community.
Now, disability representation in film and TV hasn’t always been a priority, but there’s been progress in recent years. Shows like Speechless (a show about a 18-year old male named JJ, played by Micah Fowler, who has cerebral palsy just enjoying life with his family and his aide. He and his family had struggles, but they faced them together) created by Scott Silveri and co-executive produced with Christine Gernon, Jake Kasdan, and Melvin Mar. Fowler has cerebral palsy too! We’re also seeing more representation in other shows and movies like Bridgerton, featuring a person who uses sign language and a person who uses a wheelchair, movies, and various commercials. While there’s still a long way to go, films like Out of My Mind are helping to normalize disability on screen, and I hope this trend continues.
I also thought it was great timing since World Cerebral Palsy Day is on October 6th!
The reason why I loved the book so much: I was seen
My mom purchased it for me and I read it in fifth grade. It was the first time I’d ever come across a character with a disability—especially cerebral palsy—just like me. Like Melody, I’ve experienced people struggling to understand me because of my speech impediment. Before I got my eyegaze system, I had to rely on others for almost everything, so I really connected with Melody’s spirit. She’s independent, determined, and always finds a way to do things her own way, which I admired.
Lessons I learned from the book that I will carry for the rest of my life
Don’t underestimate people
Always talk and treat people as you would everyone else
Don’t tell anyone what they can’t do
Treat people with kindness and respect
Out of My Mind premieres on November 22nd on Disney+! Please share and watch it with your family and friends. I highly recommend reading the book first!
Love Enable Everything!
Sources
https://www.distractify.com/p/phoebe-rae-taylor-out-of-my-mind-cerebral-palsy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speechless_(TV_series)
Photos from Google
*This is the opinion of Enable Everything. Please fact check everything!
Thank you for sharing Jasmine!!!