TEN Gossip

Posted: 11 Jun 2011 01:57 PM PDT

Every once in a while, you run across someone, or something so profound, so incredibly inspirational that you cannot help but STOP. LISTEN. PAY ATTENTION. LEARN SOMETHING.

Evan Sneider embodies that someone, and has that something which will make you do just that.
He is proof that in a world filled with labels, stereotypes and generalizations, a world that will put you in a box and place restrictions on you, that you CAN break free of all those things, rise above them. ONLY if you BELIEVE in yourself and do it.

In the words of Yoda – “Do…or do not. There is no try.”
I didn’t want to put emphasis on the fact that Evan has Down’s Syndrome [because he doesn't put emphasis on it], yet I have to acknowledge it, because he IS rising up in the face of adversity and has had to unfortunately experience acts of bigotry from the mouths of the ignorant. To those people I say “Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.” I suppose, being raised in Hickville, USA has it’s advantages [and disadvantages as well] because our momma’s always taught us if we didn’t have anything nice to say we were to keep our mouths shut – or, well let’s say we got to go and select our own ‘switches’. Yeah, see that’s why I bite my tongue a lot. I’m never, ever going to be too big for my momma to whoop me. Believe that.
You have to read and watch the following links, to understand where I’m coming from on this, if you haven’t been following the story of this young man, or if you’ve been taking up residency under my rock.

READ ABOUT EVAN HERE
-AND-
WATCH AN INTERVIEW HERE

When you watch the interview, pay close attention to the PSA they play, about the “R” word. I absolutely despise the use of this word and it strikes a huge, sensitive nerve with me. My God Daughter is autistic and I have had to, we’ll say, set someone straight before.
My favorite quote in that PSA that I think we all should live by: “The “R” word is the same as every minority slur, treat it the same way and don’t ever use it.”

You’d think, in the year 2011, we’d have risen above these types of things, it sickens me that we haven’t – but the cure for that sickness is people like Evan, who proves that HE isn’t the one that is handicapped, it’s ignorant people with closed minds who are.

Okay *Steps down off my soap box before I spend all day on this tangent*
Now, I just have to say – that even though I haven’t SEEN Girlfriend yet [I blame Jerad *laughs* I'm kidding. Partially.

], the trailers look AMAZING, and Evan’s performance definitely pulls you in. Makes you want to watch more. He is an incredible actor, it’s true, but he’s an even MORE INCREDIBLE Human being, and an example of what we all should strive to be.
Most definitely added to my list of Real Life’s Heroes.

WE ♥ YOU EVAN!