Out of My Mind | Disney+ Film Screening in NYC
At our recent CP Social event in New York City, one of Cerebral Palsy Strong’s community members, Emily S., received tickets to an advanced screening of the new Disney+ movie, Out of My Mind, that features the story of a young girl with cerebral palsy. Below is a recap of her experience…
When I got to the theatre, one of the first things I saw was the Out of My Mind poster and I asked my mom to take a picture. Of course, she said, “yes” and I could not stop smiling.
When we got to our seats I noticed this young man and a bright-eyed little girl coming down the aisle next to me and my mom. Her name was Noelle. She was carrying Out of My Mind in her hands and she could not stop grinning. Her dad told me that her teacher had assigned this book to her class and that Noelle was “really touched by it.”
Being that I have cerebral palsy, I was curious if Noelle has the condition so I asked her, and she said “no”. That answer made me intrigued to wonder why would a girl who does not have cerebral palsy would be interested in a book about a girl in her tweens with cerebral palsy. As Noelle’s father said, she was touched by the book and the main character, Melody Brooks. Noelle told me Out of My Mind is the first of a series. Apparently there are another two books that follow Out of My Mind, and Noelle made sure to tell me how good they are. Funny enough, I knew the original cover of the book as a child seeing it in the library on the shelves or on display. I am not a very strong reader, so I have a feeling that is the reason why it did not pique my interest and that the cover was not an indicator that the book would be about a young girl with cerebral palsy coming into her own. The cover was light blue with a goldfish in a fish bowl.
Once the lights turned off, I immediately turned to the screen and then I heard a voice. This was the first time I really just took a movie in, focusing on the plot and feeling all the feels of Melody and her family as if I was in the story. I think it is because I understand. I understand the hardships that come with having cerebral palsy and wish that this movie was available to me to watch as a young girl growing up. Maybe it would have given me the confidence to stand taller and hold my head higher as I was moving up through school. We will never know, but I am so glad I was able to experience this movie, now, as an adult. Especially, being at the screening with my mom made it all the more special. I was able to have her experience the movie and all its emotions, with me.
I hope this movie moves other kids with cerebral palsy, and shows them that even though they have a disability, they are more than their disability. I finally feel like I am where I belong and I have this movie to thank in part because of that. I was surrounded by people in the theatre who were there because they wanted to see this movie and feel its impact (either with cerebral palsy, some with other disabilities, and allies). All the people involved in this movie did a great job of bringing the story to life and portraying accurate situations regarding what people with cerebral palsy go through. Although this disability does not look the same for everyone, there are definitely lines that mirror my own life experiences.
As I was leaving the theatre seats, I told Noelle that I looked forward to reading the books and thanked her for telling me that they existed. She smiled alongside her dad, tugging Out of My Mind tight.
In the front of the theatre I got to meet Phoebe-Rae Taylor, the actress who played Melody Brooks, and Rosemarie DeWitt, who played Mrs. Brooks. They were both lovely people and it was such a treat to have my mom meet them as well. I am so grateful for this experience and I intend to share this movie with as many people as I can to raise awareness about cerebral palsy. Although the movie is over, this is just the beginning for me.
A special thanks to the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan and the ReelAbilities Film Festival for hosting this screening and Mary M. at 360 degree comm for providing tickets to this event.
