Time for some controversy…

Finally! A film about this delicate subject that is done by Hallmark as an afterschool special. We will be seeing The Ringer over the holidays.

Before anyone gets wound up and frothing at the mouth about the content and subject of the movie let me clarify - This film is done by the Farrelly Brothers (of Something About Mary and Me, Myself and Irene fame) and they are friends of Special Olympics and have included a friend of theirs with and intellectual disability as a bit player in all of their films. One of the films Executive Producers sits on the board of the Special Olympics which as an organization has backed the film. Here's a quote from the Making of The Ringer PDF on the Special Olympics site regarding the film:

Tim Shriver agrees that it is time for the organization to take some chances to address a new group of people. A key aim of Special Olympics is to change how non-disabled people think about people with intellectual disabilities. “We’ve been sharing that message on the playing field with many groups,” he explains, “but the stereotypes are naggingly persistent.

“One reason for that is that our traditional message is not as effective with teens as it is with older people or much younger ones. But humor is a very effective way to reach them, and the Farrellys are masters of that demographic”.

As someone who spent three years of his life working with some severely intellectually and physically disabled people and their families, and went to be a scorekeeper for a local Special O bowling league, I am sure there will be some folks who will be offended right off the hop by any film approaching this subject as irreverently as the Farrellys may. Perhaps after an openminded watching of this film families and friends of intellectuallly disabled folks will feel more at ease and those who didn't understand before will have some insight. I have hope that this brings to light the real sense of humour that I saw from my clients on a daily basis in my work.