TED Talks is collection of speeches of people who are discussing different topics that affect the daily life of people. In one of these talks, Faith Jegede talks about her autistic brothers whom she feels are not ordinary but extraordinary because they are different. This is subject matter that hits very close to home for me because I too have brother who is autistic. We share the feeling that to most people are brothers are not normal by societies standards but this does not mean they are any less then other people.
When I look at my brother it is true to say that he is not capable of doing everything that you or I are capable of doing. He often lacks the ability to behave himself is socially normal way, often lost in his own little world disconnected from things going on around him. Even though it might appear that he is not paying attention to conversation happening around him, he is capable of bring up a conversions that happened years ago and even tell you the exact time and date that they occurred on. A feat I couldn't even pretend to do, as I have a hard time remembering what the day it even is.
Faith's TED Talks reminds me that it's not import to focus on being normal or your lack of it. It is far more import to focus on the things that make up extraordinary. So remember we all lack something, but every single person is blessed with so much more that it's not important to focus on what we don't have but rather what we do have.
This is a great topic. I worked with handicapped students while in high school and they act (almost) the same as the rest of us. In fact I dealt with one kid that had extraordinary memory like you mentioned. It's an incredible skill I wish I had! Very inspirational topic and post!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Derrick this is a great post. I have met students that have disabilities and I treat them as normal person just as any other student having disabilities like this doesn't make you who you are. Disabilities doesn't affect intelligence. Very good post Sean!
ReplyDeleteSean~
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. I have a couple relatives who are autistic as well. I agree with the fact that autism does not change who they are as a person. Although they may be presented with many challenges in life that does not mean that a person with autism will not live a happy life.
Once again, great post!
Brian Butler III
Sean-
ReplyDeleteI really liked your blog on this TED Talk. I think it is great how you linked it to your own experiences, which also emphasizes the TED talk itself that much more. I totally agree with you and everyone else that just because someone has a disability, they should not be judged on that alone. This is a very inspirational post!
Great job!
Angela Burke
I really liked your blog and how much you related to her presentation. It was inspiring and really everyone who doesn't know about autism should really watch something like this. good job!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Crystal - the fact that you could relate directly to the situation really brings your post home for the reader. Life is about being Extraordinary - not Ordinary! :)
ReplyDelete