On Tuesday Oct 9 2012 at Kent State University Marlee Matlin was there to present. This was the kick off to disAbility Awareness Month. Marlee Matlin is an academy winning ward actress. She won the Academy award for her role in Children of a Lesser God. She also acts on the show Switched at Birth.
After standing in line for an hour I was happy to be able to get in. Her speech was fantastic. She spoke of her childhood and how her parents instilled a you can do whatever you want attitude in her. She spoke of how her family would not instill pity or special child status on her but rather give her the skills to overcome any barriers she may face. She explained how when she was a child other children would make fun of her hearing and her older brother stood up for her by saying “she does not have trouble with her speech, she has an accent because our parents are secret foreign spies”. She spoke of that having family support in the early years was vital to becoming the person she is today. She also said what is now my all time favorite quote ‘if you can dream it, you can will it” That one line has really stuck with me. Her whole speech was inspiring. She spoke about how in Hollywood they criticize her because she played a Deaf Girl In a Deaf Girl role and how was that acting? So she became determined to prove that she could act and prove her critics wrong.
Listening to her story, I became even more inspired to fight for my dream of getting a PH.D there are times it seems out of reach but I have to remember that everyone faces some kind of barrier and I should not let mine stop me. When I first heard of her and watch her movies I was like it must have come easily to her but know I know better. It was sheer determination and hard work that got her to where she is today.
She is the author of three books.The most notable one being I’ll Scream Later. I did not get to have an autograph as the books were sold out by the time I go there but it was nice seeing her in person. Next time I will arrive super early and be able to get things.
I tried to get a picture but was to far for it to come out well. Oh well I have a fabulous time and I hope I will get to hear her speak again in the future.