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SPEAKING FOR MYSELF...

BY ALEX GORMAN

I am definitely the luckiest person on the face of the earth. Each day we nonspeakers can easily choose to feel sorry for ourselves. But nothing really easy is ever as good, I believe. To be happy is not an easy choice, but it's one I choose to make. Easy things are what some gravitate towards...but not me. The best things in my life, and the people I love most, have either been the hardest or worked the hardest. And these things, the hardest, feel the best because they represent achievement. This blog is about being lucky, working hard, achieving goals, and being what I've decided to be: happy.

1/26/2026 1 Comment

Mel Brooks

I am writing this on a snow day. Yesterday was stormy and today all businesses are closed. Actually, conditions are not too bad, but people needed time to dig out.

It was fun to sit here with my Mom and watch movies. I had never seen Mel Brooks’ movies before. I particularly wanted to after we watched a documentary about him. We saw Blazing Saddles, and I must say that I loved it. It is about the least PC movie ever. The thing is, it’s so clearly meant in fun that it’s impossible to be offended. And that makes me think about humor.

Societal dictates would have it that the movie is offensive, but it’s not. It absolutely must depend then on the spirit that permeates the humor. Who creates the most humorous applause is the person who appeals to the most people. Mel Brooks clearly understands that. He makes fun of everyone, but there is no nastiness to it. I am wondering actually if I can do the same in my writing.

I am going to ask Mom to show me all his movies. I understand more about humor, actually, as a result of learning about him.

Alex only pawn in game of life.

1 Comment

1/4/2026 4 Comments

Normal

What makes my Mom special is that her ability to see us in the best way is unparalleled. She doesn’t really see us as being particularly disabled. We are seen by her as individuals with distinct interests and personalities, just like ordinary people. I cannot express how amazing that feels. Most people cannot see past the disability to see the person inside. It actually makes us behave differently because Mom doesn’t act differently with us than she does with anyone else.

At M2H, people may start by seeing the disability. But I have noticed that over time we become more human to everyone, meaning not just a disability with legs. I really, really love the way she teases us and clowns around.

The more normal we feel, the more normal we behave.