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Many at the 62nd Emmy awards were astonished as a single movie “Temple Gradin” won five out seven awards it was nominated for on Sunday night. This was not the first time this movie had stunned the followers of movie awards. Last weekend in an untelevised Creative Arts Emmy awards, the movie won seven categories out of fifteen nominations. This was really an outstanding performance for the actors, actresses, directors as well as the producers of the above movie. The shine could not be taken out of Claire Danes who starred in the title role of the HBO biopic “Temple Gradin”.
However, the climax of the whole show was when it was revealed that the woman whose life was portrayed in this high profile movie was standing right in the middle of the audience. Actually this was the first time many have heard anything about this extraordinary autistic woman named Temple Gradin.
To cut straight to the chase, the truth is that this woman (Temple Gradin) is a challenge (or rather inspiration) to many who feel that because they are handicapped in one way or the other could make any meaningful impact on the world stage. Many feel sorry for themselves because of their situations and would rather want to draw pity from others.
I think this woman’s case should make a difference. According to Lindsay Robertson, this woman was diagnosed with autism in 1950 at the age of 2 but went on to earn multiple advanced degrees, including a doctorate in animal science from the University of Illinois. She is considered one of the top advocates of both autism-spectrum understanding and animal welfare, and might be best-known for her invention of more humane slaughterhouse practices, for which she has been recognized by PETA.
Grandin is the author of several books and papers about autism and animal welfare, and has been featured in Time magazine, the New York Times, and an amazing mini-documentary by Oscar-winning filmmaker Errol Morris. She was also the subject of a three-hour interview on C-SPAN in November 2009 titled "In Depth With Temple Grandin" says Lindsay.
It is quite amazing to see what a woman with such disability could achieve. Hence it is high time for those that lazy about because of one disability or the other to gear up and make a difference and stop looking for pity from people.
However, it is often said that a yam stem needs a support to grow. To this end I will implore all and sundry to help the less privileged (disabled) within our societies to stand up for themselves so that they do not become liability for the society but rather an asset for the world as in the case of Temple Gradin.
For those that portrayed her life in a movie for the world to appreciate her and God’s effort in her life I say thank you.
