Re: OT: American Idol impressions/Donnell

[Guest guest]

Hi Donnell,

I am just catching up reading the posts since my DSL line to the internet went

out. Tolisano is from my town. She does not have a disability. Yes,

her parents are very involved. 's Dad is an attorney. I believe her

grandparents accompanied her only because the parents had to work. I never watch

this show but wished I had. I bet it was funny. I don't think the show's

producers would allow them to exploit someone with a disability, bad singing,

yes and maybe stage fright. No need to worry, watch the show and enjoy.

Charlyne

Mom to Zeb (thinks he's a rock star)

Donnell Kenworthy wrote:

Dear Ones,

Thoughts on last nights American Idol:

Was any one else bothered by the treatment of Tellisano (Princess

Leia) last night? She so obviously was " on the Spectrum " to me, most probably

Asperger's syndrome. The show seemed to be dwelling on her lack of social

ability and made her an object of ridicule. Her grandparents were with her (are

there parents involved at all?) and whether she is diagnosed with Asperger's or

not, I don't know. She has the hallmark lack of social awareness and the

fixation on a topic of choice (Star Wars).

To me it was as unfeeling as showing a blind person running into a wall, or a

paraplegic spilling food on themselves. These things happen, but we do not

tolerate them being dwelt on by a television show in the same way the

disabilities of this young women were by the Idol cameras. It goes to show that

" hidden disabilities " like Asperger's syndrome are not understood by so many of

the public.

The show was doing so well for me up to then: the mom with a daughter who had

Rett's syndrome being showcased ( , and if I understood her spoken

diagnosis of her daughter's condition correctly, Rett's is also " on the

spectrum " ). And the show was very sensitive in its handling of Temptress (sp?)

and her obviously health challenged mother. Why, Simon Cowell even joined a

and Randy in going out to meet and join in a group hug with the mom and family.

(This from Simon who has an inability to feel empathy that seems to be an even

more debilitating disability!)

The show also didn't seem to overly do the young woman who, in their words,

" channeled Janis Joplin and Grace Slick " and who also probably has some

emotional and possible mental challenges.

There are always people who believe they can sing - and can't, who think they

have charisma - and don't, or who have talent, presence and yet have such an

attitude that we enjoy watching them get their comeuppance. And the real reason

for the show, to me, is the ones with real talent and charisma, that we hope

will wind up in the final 12 showcasing their abilities for the nation. We are

well aware that there are real rewards for those who win and even for those who

are runners-up. But one thing that doesn't work for me is the ignorant

exploitation of those with disabilities to sell ratings.

The treatment they gave to Tellisano or " Princess Leia, " really

bothered me. Making someone with a disability an object of ridicule is wrong.

I am hoping that one of our autism awareness groups will perhaps challenge the

show on this. I would hope they could educate the producers of this show about

what is it like to have a " hidden disability " and for those who have such

individuals in their family.

Does anyone else have thoughts on this?

Hugs,

Donnell (mom to DJ,12,DS/ASD)