Mr. Pimentel. You probably don't check here anymore, and judging by the date you last posted I would say that's evidently very possible. But in the off chance you may check back here one day I want to say a few words, so maybe one day you may read them.
I have to be honest, before I read the premise for this film I didn't know about you and the work you have done. I am an English, 29 year old man who lives in England, and I suffer from dyspraxia and dyslexia, and also, unfortunately, I have epilepsy too. I only found out I had dyslexia and dyspraxia in the final year of my degree, when I realised I was struggling so badly with juggling the fact I had to completely look after myself for the first time alongside being pushed to finish my degree when the going got tough. I felt stupid, awkward and a nuisance. However, I managed to get an extension and I finally finished my degree, my final piece being a short black comedy film set in an Indian restaurant about the social misunderstandings of society towards race, gender, social situation, sexual preference and the class divide. Now I come to look back on it I realise why I wrote it considering the situation I found myself in...
Since University I have been met with prejudice and negligence in most of the places I have worked. I have tried to explain my difficulties, and that with just a little help and understanding I can achieve a lot. I had learned to stand up for myself and be counted, it was just others that decided they were going to put a brick wall in my way. I was made redundant recently from a job I really enjoyed. I was working towards becoming a lecturer, because I want to make a difference to young people's lives. I was a technician at my local college, and thought working in an institution like that I would receive all the help I needed if my disabilities were affecting my work. Well, without going into detail, I couldn't have been more wrong.
When the situation arose where the college had to make redundancies, two lost their jobs in my department of upwards of 12 people. Those two were me and a fellow colleague I got on with very well, who also suffers from epilepsy... Nobody else who was supposedly in the pool for possible redundancy had and disabilities or long term illnesses, but me and my colleague were the ones who got the chop. It was clearly a targeted redundancy, and the proof I had built up was paramount. However, even the union I was a part of messed me about and ended up buggering it all up for me...
But now I have seen this film, and seen the work you have done to help people with disabilities, well, I am moved to be honest. You have made me feel proud to have achieved what I have, and thanks to seeing this film I have realised that people may try and rub their boot in your face and not accept who you are, but as long as I can accept who I am then to hell with them. Somebody out there will give me chance, and when they do I know I'll be in the right place, because they'll be somebody who truly understands me at last, and sees me for my worth.
I am now going to look at your work with the most eager eyes, and listen with the most eager of ears.
Thank you for being the basis of what has made the last hour and a half of my evening so thoroughly enjoying and enriching.
O. Edwards.
reply
share
richardp-13
13 years ago
You are right I have not checked in for a while. I was both pleased and touched you message. What you went through is the whole point of the title, "Music Within". we all have music and each of us is worth listening to. For those who do not understand that about you, that is their loss. Do not dwell on those who do not see you. But focus on those that you might not see, and give them a second look. if everyone would do that a great difference would be made for all of us.
Richard Pimentel
reply
share