Do Touch

Bread. Do you need eyes and ears to appreciate it? To bake it?  Inside a theatre in Tel Aviv, an ensemble of eleven actors who are deaf and blind invite you to explore these questions and your own senses through the theatrical performance, “Not By Bread Alone”.

This is the Nalaga’at Theater Dead-blind Acting Ensemble’s second production at the Nalaga’at Center.  Today the Center employs 70 people who are deaf, blind or deaf-blind and is visitied by  thousands each year.   Together, they search for a unique “theatrical language”, as well as increase awareness of deaf-blind persons’ needs, in Israel and the rest of the world.

If the aroma of freshly baked bread during the performance leaves your stomach rumbling, the Centre also offers two unique dining experiences.  In Black Out, a restaurant run in total darkness, you are served by waiters who are blind.  Alternatively, Café Kapish and its wait staff who are deaf or hearing impaired offer you the chance to order your cappuccino by way of sign language.

“Nalaga’at”, translating to “Do Touch”, seems a fitting title as its performances, workshops and dining experience offer participants the chance to reach out, ask questions and learn from difference.

In their words “A visit to the center will change the way you think, the way you feel, the way you are…”

• Posted:20 Aug 2009 at 03:03 pm

Schizophrenia in the Summer

Time to Change has produced and launched two short online films.  Each challenges the common belief that mental illness and violence go hand in hand, especially when it comes to schizophrenia.

The first video, Kids Party, plays on people’s fascination with the sinister.  It has been posted to video sharing sites such as YouTube with the title ‘Schizophrenic man terrifies kids at party’ and gives you the illusion of home video footage rather than an ad campaign around prejudice.

The second, Schizo, takes the form of a horror film trailer, demonstrating how fear increases the likelihood people will fall back on their stereotypes.  Before conclusion, both films introduce you unexpectedly to meet Stewart, a real man who has schizophrenia.

Time to Change is UK based programme which aims to inspire people to work together to end the discrimination surrounding mental health. Learn more about Time to Change through the FAQ’s about their Summer Campaign.

• Posted:17 Aug 2009 at 04:14 pm

One Woman Remembered

Kanchi was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder of the Special Olympics.  Bearing the legendary name Kennedy, she will be undoubtedly remembered as a Champion for people with intellectual disabilities.

In 1952 she opened up her home to start Camp Shriver, providing a place for children with intellectual disabilities to explore sport.  Showcasing ability and the importance of integration, Camp Shriver grew to become the Special Olympics.  More than fifty years later, the Special Olympics have hosted thousands of athletes from over 150 countries.

A key leader and advocate, Shriver left her mark on legislation, employment, education and perceptions.  Most importantly, it is the stories and expressions from families and individual lives she touched which illustrate just how far reaching her passion belief was.

It was her steadfast spirit and belief that anything is possible which drove so many to think differently.  Her legacy will not only be remembered and cherished but carried on through the lives of her children and the countless she inspired during her lifetime.

• Posted:12 Aug 2009 at 11:11 am

Adam

Have you heard about the film “ADAM”?  Winner of the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, this curious romantic comedy is now playing in select theaters thanks to Fox Searchlight.  Starring Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne, ADAM follows the start of a relationship between Adam, a handsome, brilliant young man who has Asperger’s Syndrome and his new upstairs neighbour, Beth.

Asperger’s Syndrome is part of the broad spectrum of Autism Disorders.  The Asperger Syndrome Association of Ireland, ASPIRE, explains “…generally those affected by the condition have an IQ within the normal range but may have extremely poor social and communication skills. Many famous people such as W.B. Yeats, Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton are said to have been affected by AS.”

Visit Fox Searchlight’s official website for ADAM to explore a list of blogs and sites on Autism and video interviews with writer/director Max Mayer and lead Hugh Dancy on the subject of Asperger’s Syndrome.

• Posted:10 Aug 2009 at 10:20 am