Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Normal Folk....

Film director Graham Streeter viewed some of Noah's video clips on You Tube. He is currently working on a new film Normal Folk...

He has directed music videos...public service announcements, features, shorts, documentaries and film. Anyway...he left some nice comments about Noah's stuff on You Tube. You can check out more information on him and his new film "Normal Folk"
if you click here NORMAL FOLK

Be sure to check out all the links at the top to learn more. It is quite interesting.

I did enjoy one video he had posted and I am going to share it here. Autistic Motivational Speak Marty Murphy speaks about Autism. Dec 2006, Normal Illinois. Born in 1963, Marty grew up in Normal, Illinois. By the time she was 5, it was clear that she was a child of special needs. However, more functional than one with stereotypical autism, she fell through the cracks of the school system. By the time she was nine, she was led to believe she was mentally retarded, marginally surviving mainstream schooling.

She furthered her education in Bloomington, Illinois where she was determined to have ADHD, autism, dyslexia and dyscalculia.

In 1988, she furthered her graduate studies at the University of Arizona. Through a series of unsuccessful college transfers, and part time jobs, she was informed by a doctor that she had a disability; "High Functioning Autism" also known as "Aspergers". She indeed had ADHD, dyslexia and dyscalculia, but most surprising, she was not retarded.

Marty went abroad, attending the Ballymaloe Culinary School in Shanagarry, County Cork, Ireland, to which her schooling gave her an opportunity on the open seas as a chef, but alas social circumstances were not a good match for her. Returning to Normal, Marty was in the darkest part of her life, as a selective/elective mute with a clear diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

But being properly diagnosed made great differences in her life. Doctors found success in medications that finally helped her. Doctors encouraged her to get active in the local autism organization, and it was that advice that changed her life forever. With over seven total years of being mute, the program brought a comfort level that eventually led to Marty finally speak again. As a result, Marty not only speaks, she is now a prolific poet, author and public speaker. At age 39.

Now 44, Marty spends her free time as a highly sought after public speaker, offering first hand perspectives on autism. She works with school districts across the country to help put supports in place for particularly challenged children.

Marty Murphy currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Autism Society of Illinois as well as the Autism Society of McLean County. Through these two organizations, she finds she can finally help put direct support in place for children and families who struggle with autism.

Marty was recently quoted as saying "I have spoken to legislators about the tremendous needs that our communities have and will continue to have without increased funding, and hopefully I am helping to shine a positive light on the life long possibilities for individuals with autism, about who they can be and what they can achieve given the right supports".

She is very funny just naturally.....hope you enjoy it as much as I did and check out the link to Normal Folk.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

That was very nice. I sat through the whole thing and the man who kept laughing caused mom to ask, "Who is that?" And I explained.

Nice post.

Dad

Melissa said...

Great video Melinda. I'm going to check out the link next.

Patty said...

She certainly is a funny woman. Enjoyed the video.
Love you,
Mom