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When I was a student at Indiana University back in the early 80's I worked with
students with disabilities through what was then called Handicapped Student
Services. I was awed and amazed by the students' perseverance, talents, and
abilities. A few years ago I attended a showing of "King Gimp"
and had the opportunity to meet Dan, the subject and writer of that 1999 Oscar
Award winning documentary.
The movie chronicles the life of Dan Keplinger, an artist who was born with
Cerebral Palsy. Covering Dan’s life from about the age of 12 through his
college years, the movie shows Dan's academic challenges, life challenges, his
amazing art, and his resiliency. Despite his obstacles, Dan has earned two
university degrees, one in mass communications and one in art. In the film, Dan
says, “Most people think 'gimp' means someone with a lame walk. But 'gimp'
also means a 'fighting spirit.'"
After viewing the film, I decided the movie would be an excellent addition to
the Student Success curriculum, and this activity has become a universal
favorite among students. Its greatest benefit is inspiring students who
are struggling, for whatever reason, to believe they can be successful and to
persevere in the face of their personal and academic challenges.
I usually show this movie about half way through the semester, a time when many
students are complaining about the work-load, may have received some
disappointing grades, and some are questioning if they can make it in college. I
use the film to inspire and to educate my students about people living with
disabilities as well as provide them with a role model for overcoming whatever
adversities they may be facing themselves.
The movie is about 50 minutes long and afterwards I have students write a
reaction paper. The directions I give them are as follows:
Please write a full-length paper on your reaction to
the film “King Gimp.” I would like a paragraph for each of the following six
questions. The more thoughtful your comments, the better the learning experience
for you. Dig deep!
1) Think of one or two words that describe what you are feeling and write about
it (them).
2) What particular scene or comment stands out in your mind? Why that one?
3) What insights or knowledge did you get from this film?
4) What qualities does Dan possess that you admire and how can you apply that
quality to your role as student?
5) How does this film deepen your understanding of prejudice?
6) How did Dan challenge your assumption about people with disabilities?
The universal comment I get from students is, "If Dan can make it through
college, I can."
Other student comments include:
"I have learned that you never know what someone is capable of doing just
by looking at them."
"Just because people have disabilities, it doesn't make them dumb. I would
have looked at him and thought that he couldn't read a book."
"Dan is a major inspiration to people who want to succeed and don't think
that they can do it. He shows that it can be done, no matter what ailments you
have."
"The film deepens my understanding of prejudice."
"Even though he has a disability, he accomplished more in his life than
people who aren't disabled."
"Now when I see people with disabilities I am going to look at them with a
different attitude than before."
"After the movie I felt ungrateful and ashamed. I know that I take things
for granted, but after seeing Dan's life I realized how many things I should be
grateful for."
"The one thing I feel after watching the movie is hope."
One day, after I had shown the movie, a student stayed after class to share that
she has a learning disability. She told me that she could relate to Dan's
struggles and she had been secretly doubting that she could make it through
college. She wanted me to know that the movie had a great impact on her and
would have a lasting effect as she continued through her academic program. She
said she realized that if she continued to believe in herself, as Dan believes
in himself, and not give up when times got tough, then she, too, could succeed.
King Gimp is an HBO documentary, and you can view information about it at http://www.hbo.com/kinggimp/king/.
You can order a copy of the film from the University of Maryland School of
Medicine Video Press at 800-328-7450 or http://www.videopress.umaryland.edu
for $149.95 (VHS or DVD). If you don't have the funds, I encourage you to use your library
network and see if you can find it there. I encouraged our librarians to
purchase it, and they did! Also, Dan has an official site that you can browse at
http://www.kinggimp.com/
--Wendy Nathan, Counselor, Mercy College
of Northwest Ohio wendy.nathan@mercycollege.edu
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