Madness Presentation

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lG9gijOzuI

Description:

           For my artifact I chose the video “Psychiatric Survivor Pride Weekend”. I chose this video for my artifact because it is a perfect representation of the community behind the term “Psychiatric Survivor”. In the video, a celebration of uniqueness and disability is shown and I think it’s important to take note of. The video also has an interview with a father who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He not only sheds light on the community he has been welcomed into, but also shows him proving his ability to be a “normal” father to his children, and husband to his wife.

Analysis:

            I think this artifact is especially important because of the amount of information that fits in the 3 minutes that is shown. Not only do you get an inside story of one survivor, but the video also shows multiple clips of the Pride Weekend events, and many of the attendants. In the video, the other survivors are shown displaying their talents, that may be unknown to many because of the way society has dismissed these survivors, and for many, this event maybe their only showcase for their talents. Survivors are seen reading their own poetry, role-playing, and homemade art.

            This artifact coincides with reading specifically because of the vocabulary that is used. The title itself proves that the description of ‘survivors’ in the reading is something that exists in our society today, and that people really do come together as a community and celebrate their unique qualities. This video also proved that, not only do survivors have to do undergo discrimination or judgment by society, but that emerging out of this seemingly inferior position they’re put in, they can carry themselves just like any other person. This video proves that, although they’ve been diagnosed with a mental disability such as autism, or bipolar disorder, they can overcome the labels given to them by the medical professionals, and pursue a normal life.

Questions:

Based on Awareness

1.         What is your opinion of Mad Pride Weekend, and have you ever heard of it before? Do you think there is enough awareness for this cause, and if not, do you know of any ways this message could be spread more affectively?

Based on the Reading

2.         What is your opinion of the way the terms ‘cure’ and ‘survivor’ are used within the reading? Do you think these terms downgrade the people with these disabilities?

           

For example: Do you think calling someone a survivor gives the idea that they had to overcome their disability in order to live a normal life?

3.         Do you think it’s necessary to try and pursue a cure for disabilities such as Autism, or do you think it’s unnecessary? Also, do you think trying to find a cure is a considerate gesture to the autistic, or do you think it makes them feel even worse about their ‘condition’ that needs curing?

Based on the Video

4.         Would you have been able to tell that Richard was ‘disabled’ if you hadn’t heard him tell you he was? Do you think these ‘disabilities’ such as bipolar disorder really separate people from being ‘normal’?