Tag: accessibility

Blindness 101: Essential Reading

Posted on by Michael

I have to admit I’ve never felt much buy-in when it comes to the idea of inspiration, or at least the inspiration business. What was the phrase Eisenhower coined? The military-industrial complex? Call this the inspiration-motivational complex. There is, really, a large industry built upon motivating one group of people to be inspired by another. This has real and often unfortunate consequences and one of them is an unintended victimization. This TED talk illustrates exactly what I’m talking about.

That video was one of the reasons why, when I was invited to deliver a TED talk of my own, I went to great lengths to make sure that it was not an “inspirational” speech. I invite you to Continue reading “Blindness 101: Essential Reading” →

Otis Horne
On the Cook Strait

A Vote For Accomplishment and Achievement

Posted on by Michael
Otis Horne
Ability and accomplishment? Absolutely!

I want to tell you about one of the people I met while filming the Blue leg of The Palette Project. Otis Horne has Spina Bifida and has been in a wheelchair for most of his life. What I like most about Otis, though, is that this is the least interesting fact about him.

Otis began sailing when he was 12 years old, and his passion is solo sailing. Sailing as part of a fleet of four solo sailors, he successfully completed an 11 hour crossing of the cook Strait, one of the most dangerous bodies of water in the world. the Cook Strait separates the north and south islands of New Zealand, and is routinely buffeted by winds of forty knots and swells that often stop ferries from crossing.

When I met Otis earlier this year, I was so moved by his simple, one word explanation to the question, “why are you taking these chances and trying to make this journey?” His answer… “freedom.” It was instantaneous and heartfelt, and it’s what The Palette Project is all about. Otis is heading to college soon, and he wants to earn a degree that will help him bring the benefits of sport to men, women and children facing physical and cognitive challenges in their lives.

Otis is in the red boat, holding his own and doing what he loves.
Otis is in the red boat, holding his own and doing what he loves.

I’d like you to join me in voting for Otis’ nomination for the Attitude Alive “Courage in Sport” award. He is such a fine example of what ability and accomplishment are all about, and your vote can help put him over the top.

Update: February 2016

I’m so happy to report that Otis won the voting for this achievement award!. A big thank you to everyone who participated.

Guide Dog in Training
Guide Dog

Si Se Puede, Part II

Posted on by Michael

The life of a visual storyteller is based on one hard and fast rule: you write to the video you have, not the video you wish you had. Our unscheduled shoot at Guide Dogs of South Australia and the Northern Territories was a reminder that whether you’re the last reporter on the scene and the police are rolling up the crime scene tape or filming an around-the-world documentary about what it’s like to explore the world in the midst of losing your eyesight, the rule is the same.

Guide Dog

For this, I couldn’t be happier.

The challenges facing my shooting partner and I could hardly have been more daunting. We had been on the ground in Continue reading “Si Se Puede, Part II” →