Act vs. Handicap
I am guilty! I am an avid watcher of the evil American Idol – and I like it! I’m not a crazy fan – I do not call in to vote – it’s purely for entertainment purposes. The reason I am saying out loud that I watch this show (I am a closet reality show junkie) is because of this one guy – Taylor Hicks. He made the 24 to be judged by America, on his way to the final 12 – I hope. He is really different than the other contestants on American Idol – he has gray hair (age 29), he’s not the sexiest guy on the show – and he has some odd moves that seem to annoy people writing comments online. Most of the people making comments online think it’s all an act – he’s a wannabe Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder… The thing about those guys is the reason they move like that is due to their disability. I truly believe that Taylor Hicks has a disability as well – I think he may have cerebral palsy (brain damage causing spastic muscle movements). He has characteristics in his movements that point to cerebral palsy. I don’t want to sound like Miss. Professional cerebral palsy person here – but I do have a little knowledge on the subject (personally). I would hope that the morons on the forums freaking out – about the way he moves and calling him a wannabe – would feel badly if they found out that this great (high spirited) guy has a disability. They won’t and I will not let that bother me, but I’d love to e-mail Taylor Hicks someday soon and ask him the truth. (I have yet to find a working e-mail address for him.) He just makes you feel happy to see him – he’s got the right spirit for this game/competition, and I give him Kudos for his effort! I really hope he makes it to the end – but I’m not worried, because even if he doesn’t win American Idol, he’s already won America’s hearts…
March 2nd, 2006 at 6:56 pm
People have not and will not look at another person and accept them for who they are inside.
My bestfriend has CP she has this cool walk, one day someone asked me why she walks the way she does and I asked them “what do you mean”. Now if everyone would see past the little things they will see something much greater than how somebody looks, acts, performs, talks, or even walks.
Personally I didn’t think that the panel would except him for that exact reason…He is different. But since he has made it this far, GOD Speed!!!
March 2nd, 2006 at 9:12 pm
Thanks!
March 3rd, 2006 at 7:59 pm
you be welcome
March 9th, 2006 at 10:23 pm
hello there. i am from singapore and i love taylor hicks too! =)
May 24th, 2006 at 10:23 pm
[...] In the fall of 2005, the reality TV show American Idol went around the United States looking for their new superstar. We, as usual, tuned in and at their Las Vegas interviews a grey-haired young man stood in front of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson (the judges) with nerves of steel. When asked why he was there, Taylor Hicks replied with, “I want my voice to be heard.” They didn’t think he’d make it too far in the competition because America wouldn’t vote him through – due to the way he looked. Week after week we watched and waited for the end to come, but week after week Ryan Seacrest gave him the good news of, “You’re safe!” There were a few great singers on this show and as I watched Taylor stay safe while they were eliminated – well, it shocked me. I think he has a disabliity and I figured Simon Cowell had sealed his fate by saying that he wouldn’t make it – America tends to listen to Simon, and America tends to be extremely judgemental towards anyone that’s not “perfect.” I was hoping that Simon would have to eat his words on the day Taylor won. I must admit that I really didn’t think he’d make it to the final two, though – no way! Then Chris was kicked off – and I could have had money bet that he would win the competition. Yeah, my eye candy was gone, but it opened up a realization that Taylor could really take this show and shove it up Simon’s butt! Each week I was watching and hoping that Taylor would prevail, but each week I just knew Taylor would be the next to go… Then Scott gave me the web address to an awesome site that probed the Idol phone lines and projected the winners and losers of each show. So tonight I looked it up, and there was one of those moments where my eyes couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Taylor Hicks – the guy with the silver hair and the one that didn’t “look” right for this competition – was the one with the most calls! And he wasn’t just a few hundred calls above the rest – he was ahead by thousands! He is more than the American Idol, he is the American Dream! He showed us that heart and soul conquers ideals and sterotyping. That anyone with a dream can go anywhere they want, they just have to do it. Putting one foot in front of the other, taking it day-by-day and never allowing what others say to stop him. Taylor Hicks is my hero. He stood on the stage at the Kodak Theatre Wednesday night and he took home the gold. Good for you Taylor Hicks! I hope you have a great life and hit it big! Unlike others who have won American Idol… what’s their names again? Talylor Hicks – your voice is heard, loud and clear! [...]