"Thinking Abundantly"
Last week we drove to Oklahoma City to see a movie. Thankfully, the boy's fall break began the next day, but we would have gone to see this film even if it had been a school night. 180 miles round trip, dinner at a bad fast food restaurant, and a quiet discussion about education, goals, happiness, and hope. Wendell had the chance to see once more that he is not alone. One more boost to his self-confidence, one more chance to see him smile.
This movie was different than others we have seen about dyslexia. It was written and directed by a filmmaker who is dyslexic. The filmmaker also obviously has ADD or a similar issue. Because of this, the movie jumped from topic to topic. It was visually both stimulating and jarring. It was also informative, filled with humor, and focused on the actual problems within the educational system. While I do not need to see it again, I am awfully glad that we were able to see it in a movie theater filled with educators. My hope is that this film will be useful in the creation of a dialogue between people who should know more about dyslexia.
The title of this post comes from a "man on the street" comment in the movie. When asked about the common thread between a handful of famous entrepreneurs one man replies, "They all think abundantly!" I love this offhand comment, as it cuts directly to the core of dyslexia and ADD. It is difficult to get one's mind to focus on one thing at a time when your brain is so filled with things to connect.
It was an interesting movie, and one I would recommend to others, but is not at the top of my list of movies I've seen about dyslexia. This movie jumped from topic to topic, a whirlwind of color and noise. The boy eventually just closed his eyes and listened, overwhelmed by the stimuli. He and I agree that the best movie we have seen so far is "Journey into Dyslexia" by HBO, which dealt much more with how it feels to be dyslexic, and not as much with the science. The two movied would work well together, though, to give a fully rounded look at these students.
Tomorrow we wake early to drive the same route. Lego Club. Probably his last club, as this is the last one until February and he will age out in July. We will go alone, no friends to tag along this time. It will be a bittersweet day.
Click to viewThis movie was different than others we have seen about dyslexia. It was written and directed by a filmmaker who is dyslexic. The filmmaker also obviously has ADD or a similar issue. Because of this, the movie jumped from topic to topic. It was visually both stimulating and jarring. It was also informative, filled with humor, and focused on the actual problems within the educational system. While I do not need to see it again, I am awfully glad that we were able to see it in a movie theater filled with educators. My hope is that this film will be useful in the creation of a dialogue between people who should know more about dyslexia.
The title of this post comes from a "man on the street" comment in the movie. When asked about the common thread between a handful of famous entrepreneurs one man replies, "They all think abundantly!" I love this offhand comment, as it cuts directly to the core of dyslexia and ADD. It is difficult to get one's mind to focus on one thing at a time when your brain is so filled with things to connect.
It was an interesting movie, and one I would recommend to others, but is not at the top of my list of movies I've seen about dyslexia. This movie jumped from topic to topic, a whirlwind of color and noise. The boy eventually just closed his eyes and listened, overwhelmed by the stimuli. He and I agree that the best movie we have seen so far is "Journey into Dyslexia" by HBO, which dealt much more with how it feels to be dyslexic, and not as much with the science. The two movied would work well together, though, to give a fully rounded look at these students.
Tomorrow we wake early to drive the same route. Lego Club. Probably his last club, as this is the last one until February and he will age out in July. We will go alone, no friends to tag along this time. It will be a bittersweet day.