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Coping with Disabilities THrough Pony - BronyCon 2014: Pane
OFFICIAL PANEL SITE:
http://copingwithpony.weebly.com/
About the "Coping With Disabilities Through Pony" Panel
THE PANEL VISION:
We wish to share how the cartoon My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and its fans have helped to improve the lives of individuals with special needs.
THE PANEL MISSION:
We will use examples from the show and its fandom to discuss how to:
* Dispel negative stereotypes associated with and felt by those with special needs
* Educate participants on how friendship and mentoring can lead to a positive chain reaction in the lives of people who have special needs.
* Learn how to recognize and respect the gray area of accessibility that is often neglected in the development of software and multimedia
The "Coping With Disabilities Through Pony" panel will take place August 2nd, from 1:45pm to 2:45 pm, in Moon Hall.
Official Bronycon Panel Description:
MLP: FiM helps kids & grown-ups be better people. Did you know it also helps people with disabilities and special needs? Come find out how as we share inspirational stories from bronies & speak with: the writer and voice talent of fan film "Snowdrop"; ,a father and his supportive young son; a video game developer who aspires to make technology accessible to all; and an educator of tomorrow who has first hand experience with how powerful MLP has been in giving individuals with disabilities & special needs a way to cope & bond with the world in which we all live in. We'll explore how My Little Pony and its fans have used the show to bond with others and cope with all sorts of disabilities and special needs through the power of Ponies!
Location: Moon Hall
Track: Community
Start Time: 8/2/2014 1:45 pm
End Time: 8/2/2014 2:45 pm
About the "Coping With Disabilities Though Pony" Panelists:
Meredith Sims
Meredith wrote the inspirational animation by Silly Filly Studios, "Snowdrop" and voiced its titular character. She will discuss "Snowdrop" and its positive impact on the Special Needs community within and beyond the Brony fandom. Sims will also how discuss simple additions to multimedia presentations can make them enjoyable for a larger audience.
Rachel Merryfield
Rachel is a Software Developer and Special Needs advocate who is actively working on two unique projects: Braillemon and "Twinkle Morningdew". Rachel will discuss the importance of developing accessible software for both home and business use. She will also present a live demonstration of her personal video game development project Braillemon, which is a version of Pokémon Red and Blue for the visually impaired.
Matthew Palumbo
Matthew is an aspiring children’s book author who was born with a degenerative eye condition. He will discuss how he has coped with numerous obstacles in his life - from graduating from college to raising a family- while also advocating for himself and others with special needs.
Ethan Palumbo
Matthew’s seven year old son enjoys watching "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" with his father. He will talk about what it's like growing up with a parent who is visually impaired and how what matters is not so much what dad can’t do, but what dad can do.
Benjamin Platt
Ben is an aspiring writer and educator who has helped raise a younger brother with autism and a younger sister with Down's Syndrome. Ben will discuss how "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" has helped him build a stronger bond between himself and his sister with special needs.
Support Staff:
Shawn Struck
Shawn is the multimedia editor and public relations coordinator for the panel. He's responsible for creating this panel website, coordination publicity and fan outreach, editing video clips used in the panel, editing the free e-book of collected inspirational stories submitted via Facebook, email and the story submission link, and recording and narrating the audio-book version. Shawn Struck has over a decade of experience working in design, copy writing, copy editing, and public relations. He's designed stuff for everyone from pro wrestlers to local governments, and his writing has appeared on the front page of Yahoo.com, on the 1UP Network, and in the pages of PC Gamer magazine. He lives in a secret underground lair in South Plainfield, NJ. His website and portfolio are available here.
http://copingwithpony.weebly.com/
About the "Coping With Disabilities Through Pony" Panel
THE PANEL VISION:
We wish to share how the cartoon My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and its fans have helped to improve the lives of individuals with special needs.
THE PANEL MISSION:
We will use examples from the show and its fandom to discuss how to:
* Dispel negative stereotypes associated with and felt by those with special needs
* Educate participants on how friendship and mentoring can lead to a positive chain reaction in the lives of people who have special needs.
* Learn how to recognize and respect the gray area of accessibility that is often neglected in the development of software and multimedia
The "Coping With Disabilities Through Pony" panel will take place August 2nd, from 1:45pm to 2:45 pm, in Moon Hall.
Official Bronycon Panel Description:
MLP: FiM helps kids & grown-ups be better people. Did you know it also helps people with disabilities and special needs? Come find out how as we share inspirational stories from bronies & speak with: the writer and voice talent of fan film "Snowdrop"; ,a father and his supportive young son; a video game developer who aspires to make technology accessible to all; and an educator of tomorrow who has first hand experience with how powerful MLP has been in giving individuals with disabilities & special needs a way to cope & bond with the world in which we all live in. We'll explore how My Little Pony and its fans have used the show to bond with others and cope with all sorts of disabilities and special needs through the power of Ponies!
Location: Moon Hall
Track: Community
Start Time: 8/2/2014 1:45 pm
End Time: 8/2/2014 2:45 pm
About the "Coping With Disabilities Though Pony" Panelists:
Meredith Sims
Meredith wrote the inspirational animation by Silly Filly Studios, "Snowdrop" and voiced its titular character. She will discuss "Snowdrop" and its positive impact on the Special Needs community within and beyond the Brony fandom. Sims will also how discuss simple additions to multimedia presentations can make them enjoyable for a larger audience.
Rachel Merryfield
Rachel is a Software Developer and Special Needs advocate who is actively working on two unique projects: Braillemon and "Twinkle Morningdew". Rachel will discuss the importance of developing accessible software for both home and business use. She will also present a live demonstration of her personal video game development project Braillemon, which is a version of Pokémon Red and Blue for the visually impaired.
Matthew Palumbo
Matthew is an aspiring children’s book author who was born with a degenerative eye condition. He will discuss how he has coped with numerous obstacles in his life - from graduating from college to raising a family- while also advocating for himself and others with special needs.
Ethan Palumbo
Matthew’s seven year old son enjoys watching "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" with his father. He will talk about what it's like growing up with a parent who is visually impaired and how what matters is not so much what dad can’t do, but what dad can do.
Benjamin Platt
Ben is an aspiring writer and educator who has helped raise a younger brother with autism and a younger sister with Down's Syndrome. Ben will discuss how "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" has helped him build a stronger bond between himself and his sister with special needs.
Support Staff:
Shawn Struck
Shawn is the multimedia editor and public relations coordinator for the panel. He's responsible for creating this panel website, coordination publicity and fan outreach, editing video clips used in the panel, editing the free e-book of collected inspirational stories submitted via Facebook, email and the story submission link, and recording and narrating the audio-book version. Shawn Struck has over a decade of experience working in design, copy writing, copy editing, and public relations. He's designed stuff for everyone from pro wrestlers to local governments, and his writing has appeared on the front page of Yahoo.com, on the 1UP Network, and in the pages of PC Gamer magazine. He lives in a secret underground lair in South Plainfield, NJ. His website and portfolio are available here.
Category All / Miscellaneous
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 989 x 1280px
File Size 167.5 kB
The greatest of achievements can only be attained through determination.
This said, given the demographic of the Brony Fandom, I feel this panel will do well in educating people in sensitivity and understanding of those with special needs before they come to rely simply on the media and social stereotypes.
The mission is only impossible if you don't try.
This said, given the demographic of the Brony Fandom, I feel this panel will do well in educating people in sensitivity and understanding of those with special needs before they come to rely simply on the media and social stereotypes.
The mission is only impossible if you don't try.
Thank you. It is my hope to do all I can to help get a ball rolling even faster towards the acceptance and understanding of those of us with special needs.
Ignorance is abound beyond belief and many people close themselves off to anything except for what the media has taught them.
Being here on FA, I've met so many amazing people who, until they told me, I had no idea had special needs, like I do. This goes for many of the Bronies here, too.
As such, for those of us who simply wish to be seen as an equal, I will work hard with my team to make this panel memorable.
Ignorance is abound beyond belief and many people close themselves off to anything except for what the media has taught them.
Being here on FA, I've met so many amazing people who, until they told me, I had no idea had special needs, like I do. This goes for many of the Bronies here, too.
As such, for those of us who simply wish to be seen as an equal, I will work hard with my team to make this panel memorable.
Since becoming a Brony and incorporating being a Brony on here, I have learned of how there are lots of us who have found fun, inspiration, and acceptance through being a part of the fandom.
I'm taking stories from people who are interested in sharing how the show has helped them cope with life's challenges. If you are interested in adding your story, please let me know.
Ultimately, I want to make an awesome .RTF and Audio CD that shares the stories of all of us who have benefited from the show and its message of "Love", "Friendship", and "Tolerance".
Braillemon is pretty amazing. Though, not nearly as amazing as the one making it. She's super talented and a shining hope for ensuring the future of software development doesn't forget those of us in "The Grey Area of Special Needs". :)
I'm taking stories from people who are interested in sharing how the show has helped them cope with life's challenges. If you are interested in adding your story, please let me know.
Ultimately, I want to make an awesome .RTF and Audio CD that shares the stories of all of us who have benefited from the show and its message of "Love", "Friendship", and "Tolerance".
Braillemon is pretty amazing. Though, not nearly as amazing as the one making it. She's super talented and a shining hope for ensuring the future of software development doesn't forget those of us in "The Grey Area of Special Needs". :)
Thank you so very much, Nishi. It means a lot to know you approve of what great lengths 
Stoneth, I, and the team have gone through to make this panel as awesome as possible.
Lots of work, but worth it if we can help positively spread the word on how there are tons of Pony Fans out there who have been inspired by the show and, in some wonderful cases, gained acceptance through being a Brony.
FA was my start to "Self Acceptance" and that is what I really want everyone to get out of this. If you don't accept you for you there's no way you'll ever be in a good position to cope with what life has and will throw at you.
*Snugs* You taught me well. *Muah* Thank you, Nishi.
Stoneth, I, and the team have gone through to make this panel as awesome as possible.Lots of work, but worth it if we can help positively spread the word on how there are tons of Pony Fans out there who have been inspired by the show and, in some wonderful cases, gained acceptance through being a Brony.
FA was my start to "Self Acceptance" and that is what I really want everyone to get out of this. If you don't accept you for you there's no way you'll ever be in a good position to cope with what life has and will throw at you.
*Snugs* You taught me well. *Muah* Thank you, Nishi.
I'm glad you are in favor of our panel. We are very proud of the efforts we are putting into raising awareness of how able those with disabilities are. We also are hopeful to empower those with special needs by letting them know that they need not be defined by societal stereotypes.
We've made a lot of progress since this post. If you'd like to know more please visit our official site. :)
http://copingwithpony.weebly.com/
We've made a lot of progress since this post. If you'd like to know more please visit our official site. :)
http://copingwithpony.weebly.com/
There are a number of individuals on the spectrum whom I've met that My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has helped inspire.
Aside from raising awareness our team is collecting stories from individuals like yourself to help show others.
So often folks with special needs, like myself, feel we are the only ones who are like the way are. I spent my 20s in self loathing fearing I was alone and didn't realize I wasn't alone in who I was and how I felt until I bravely ventured onto Fur Affinity.
If you'd be interested in sharing your story of how Pony has positively influenced you please visit the following link. We are aiming to empower the special needs community while educating those who have been brainwashed by societal stereotypes.
http://copingwithpony.weebly.com/sh.....our-story.html
Aside from raising awareness our team is collecting stories from individuals like yourself to help show others.
So often folks with special needs, like myself, feel we are the only ones who are like the way are. I spent my 20s in self loathing fearing I was alone and didn't realize I wasn't alone in who I was and how I felt until I bravely ventured onto Fur Affinity.
If you'd be interested in sharing your story of how Pony has positively influenced you please visit the following link. We are aiming to empower the special needs community while educating those who have been brainwashed by societal stereotypes.
http://copingwithpony.weebly.com/sh.....our-story.html
Now that is interesting. Furries are who got me back into MLP.
I say "Back" due to how I was into it when it was G1 and I was 4 years old. I loved it so much I through a tantrum when my parents returned the video. I got it for my 5th birthday and wish I still had it.
Fortunately they are releasing all of G1 here in September. I am hopeful I can get it. Tokens of "Then" and "Now". :)
If you know anyone else who may be interested in sharing their inspirational story please share the link I provided. We are accepting stories up until July 5th. :)
I say "Back" due to how I was into it when it was G1 and I was 4 years old. I loved it so much I through a tantrum when my parents returned the video. I got it for my 5th birthday and wish I still had it.
Fortunately they are releasing all of G1 here in September. I am hopeful I can get it. Tokens of "Then" and "Now". :)
If you know anyone else who may be interested in sharing their inspirational story please share the link I provided. We are accepting stories up until July 5th. :)
You don't need to use your last name or even your first name. You can go by your nickname / avatar here.
I really need to update this particular post since it has outdated rules. The true rules on the site link I shared with you. *Blush*
You can also see the rules and such over at the first site we posted things to. This is my official story site for the works of myself,
Nishi, and 
daigonite.
https://www.facebook.com/hapotales
I really need to update this particular post since it has outdated rules. The true rules on the site link I shared with you. *Blush*
You can also see the rules and such over at the first site we posted things to. This is my official story site for the works of myself,
Nishi, and 
daigonite.https://www.facebook.com/hapotales
Actually I don't know. I personally fought to have this panel held ever since December of 2013 and have coordinated it since being approved in April 2014. This is the first time I've ever done a panel of any sort so I suppose the outcome of it will determine if there is another chance to make, or add, to the book.
Thanks for considering to submit to our tales of inspiration. If we get a great response we may try to open up just to see what other stories we'd get. If that happens you'll know and could share your tale as early as September. But we'll have to see how the folks at BronyCon and beyond think and feel about what we have to present.
Thanks for considering to submit to our tales of inspiration. If we get a great response we may try to open up just to see what other stories we'd get. If that happens you'll know and could share your tale as early as September. But we'll have to see how the folks at BronyCon and beyond think and feel about what we have to present.
Hello, Yosh-E-O! I myself have Asperger's Syndrome. I've been developing a parody of Twilight Sparkle who has "Unicorn Syndrome", which is a similar condition.
In addition, in my parody of My Little Pony, friendship of the sexes is a driving theme. This includes the big-brother-little-sister relationship and the mother-son relationship. (Back to My Little Pony, if I could get the license, I would love to explore Shining Armor's world a lot more, and eventually make him the fifth ruler of Equestria.)
In addition, in my parody of My Little Pony, friendship of the sexes is a driving theme. This includes the big-brother-little-sister relationship and the mother-son relationship. (Back to My Little Pony, if I could get the license, I would love to explore Shining Armor's world a lot more, and eventually make him the fifth ruler of Equestria.)
It truly is astounding what this show has done for those of us with special needs / limitations. I know a lot of people are worried that the show ending will end all that has been achieved as a result of the show's community. However we've all learned and gained so much and it is now our mission to carry that forward beyond Season 9.
Will you be sharing your story on here? Perhaps on FiM Fiction?
The fact you are here, in my opinion, is a good sign for the future. Bronies seem to not want anything to do with Furries. However I have never been mistreated by a Furry while I have had some negative remarks thrown my way on FiM Fiction.
Also, as you probably can see, many great ideas live on beyond their times of pop culture relevance over here. We can keep "Friendship Is Magic" going forever-and-forever in an open community of creative pals who welcome ponies, dragons, and all sorts of things in-between.
Will you be sharing your story on here? Perhaps on FiM Fiction?
The fact you are here, in my opinion, is a good sign for the future. Bronies seem to not want anything to do with Furries. However I have never been mistreated by a Furry while I have had some negative remarks thrown my way on FiM Fiction.
Also, as you probably can see, many great ideas live on beyond their times of pop culture relevance over here. We can keep "Friendship Is Magic" going forever-and-forever in an open community of creative pals who welcome ponies, dragons, and all sorts of things in-between.
Thank you for the invitation! I have tended to stay within my own account, especially since I focus on my own original series. However, I would feel honored to be a guest.
In My Little Pony, one theme I really want to explore more is the monster inside each of us. Fluttershy seems to embody this struggle the most. It seems as though she wants to be the sweetest girl, yet she is probably the one who scares me the most. Pinkie Pie has shown a similar struggle, and so has Twilight Sparkle.
In my original series, I have my own parodies of Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, whose names are Flutterstrike Honeyprickle and Sparklefire. Both of them had traumatic early childhoods parents who liked to hate and punish them. Flutterstrike's parents despised her for her weak wings, even though they hardly ever used their own wings for sustained flight. Their favorite child was her little brother, who would get to beat up on her. Sparklefire's parents were always trying to straighten out their firstborn daughter's naturally curly, puffy hair. But her hair naturally refused to cooperate -- and she would be severely punished for this.
Flutterstrike's parents worked for Mr. + Mrs. Smith's Steelworks -- the big company owned by Sparklefire's parents. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have secretly been taking advantage of immigrant workers and other folks who don't know their rights as citizens. Overall, they have been part of the quasi-criminal upper class of Foalstown. Meanwhile, Flutterstrike's parents were quasi-criminals of the lower class. Foalstown is an independent town embedded in the great big city of Equopolis. This town is known among the locals as a secret hotbed for organized crime -- a message that has not quite reached the rulers of the Starpony Kingdom. Princess Skysparkle has had her head in the clouds. She cannot see how corrupt much of her administration has become.
(By the way, do you suspect that there is a lot that Princess Celestia has failed to see at ground level?)
In My Little Pony, one theme I really want to explore more is the monster inside each of us. Fluttershy seems to embody this struggle the most. It seems as though she wants to be the sweetest girl, yet she is probably the one who scares me the most. Pinkie Pie has shown a similar struggle, and so has Twilight Sparkle.
In my original series, I have my own parodies of Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, whose names are Flutterstrike Honeyprickle and Sparklefire. Both of them had traumatic early childhoods parents who liked to hate and punish them. Flutterstrike's parents despised her for her weak wings, even though they hardly ever used their own wings for sustained flight. Their favorite child was her little brother, who would get to beat up on her. Sparklefire's parents were always trying to straighten out their firstborn daughter's naturally curly, puffy hair. But her hair naturally refused to cooperate -- and she would be severely punished for this.
Flutterstrike's parents worked for Mr. + Mrs. Smith's Steelworks -- the big company owned by Sparklefire's parents. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have secretly been taking advantage of immigrant workers and other folks who don't know their rights as citizens. Overall, they have been part of the quasi-criminal upper class of Foalstown. Meanwhile, Flutterstrike's parents were quasi-criminals of the lower class. Foalstown is an independent town embedded in the great big city of Equopolis. This town is known among the locals as a secret hotbed for organized crime -- a message that has not quite reached the rulers of the Starpony Kingdom. Princess Skysparkle has had her head in the clouds. She cannot see how corrupt much of her administration has become.
(By the way, do you suspect that there is a lot that Princess Celestia has failed to see at ground level?)
Now that is a really deep and well-thought out plot. Have you written any of it yet? Or are you still developing outlines?
*Sigh* Poor Princess Celestia. She does seem to be quite ignorant to the threats to Equestria and is often ill prepared to handle them if they occur. I suppose this is why, in the Season 9 trailer, we hear of how Celestia and Luna are looking to retire. The pair definitely lack that needed proactiveness and preparedness to maintain the harmony the Mane 6, 7 counting Starlight, have managed to achieve during their far shorter lifetimes.
*Sigh* Poor Princess Celestia. She does seem to be quite ignorant to the threats to Equestria and is often ill prepared to handle them if they occur. I suppose this is why, in the Season 9 trailer, we hear of how Celestia and Luna are looking to retire. The pair definitely lack that needed proactiveness and preparedness to maintain the harmony the Mane 6, 7 counting Starlight, have managed to achieve during their far shorter lifetimes.
By the way, I have my own Mane 7, except the seventh is a big-brother figure named David Starlyre. He is the one entrusted to watch over the 13-year-old Nightlight Sparkleheart, though he soon realizes he needs his seemingly magical bonds with the five other girlfriends to support him. Especially his friend Sonic Rainbow Heartboom (“Rainbowbarf”).
But this does not mean he is weak. On the contrary, he becomes the key focal point for the Mane 7’s power of friendship. He does have to rethink what it really means to be a big brother. He does not appreciate machismo, but he does have to leave behind some of its baggage.
But this does not mean he is weak. On the contrary, he becomes the key focal point for the Mane 7’s power of friendship. He does have to rethink what it really means to be a big brother. He does not appreciate machismo, but he does have to leave behind some of its baggage.
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