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ART BY:
aricub
VIDEO EDITING BY:
azuredragon
[i]Snowdrop is the intellectual property of Silly Filly Studios (SFS) and Meredith simms. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is property of Hasbro.
Snowdrop was extra super special to me as it was only through watching it that I finally started to accept that, one day, I would lose my eyesight forever. You would think all the surgeries that resulted in my vision being compromised to next-to-nothing would have gotten me to accept that being born with Glaucoma was going to end my days of eyesight forever at some point-and-time. However, me being who I am, never wanted to give up on being able to see the world through even just a single, cloudy eyeball.
The following scene from Snowdrop was presented during our very first Coping With Disabilities Through Pony panel at BronyCon 2014. Peep, my son, was seven years old at this time and did an amazing job sharing what it was like to have a disabled father. (Typically you hear the opposite story of how parents, caregivers, etc. cope with a child who has a disability. My son is one of the few you’ll find to share how he feels about having a visually impaired father.).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HBgKg08hlg
This video was taken from the SFS animation, Snowdrop. The showing of what it is like to be ‘different’ from your fellow classmates reminded me of what I experienced throughout the entirety of my years in public education. I only wish that my father would have told me what Snowdrop’s mom, Primrose, told her.
My father, with the best intentions, stressed how I was “Just like everyone else.”. He fought for me to remain in the public education system, attend college, and acquire my Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. What he did not tell me was there was more to “You are just like everyone else.”. This being how, “You are just like everyone else if you take advantage of the tools available to allow you to perform at the same level as everyone else.”. Because I felt obligated to be just like everyone else and, as such, fail to seek aid in compensating for my visual shortcomings, I barely made it through school, flunked ‘Algebra II’ and needed Summer School to make up for the failure, and graduated in only one class that was beyond bottom-level and/or average. This being ‘English / Reading & Writing’.
Again, my dad meant well. However, upon his passing in May 2008, I came to learn how he was using me to make up for what he failed to finish on his own. He was pushing ‘his’ goals and dreams on me without really caring about what I felt made me special. He also, given being a hardcore alcoholic who snorted cocaine, failed to follow through with his doctor’s advice to check an abnormality in his heart. He felt he was above this and, well, now he’s been dead for nearly 15 years. The worst part is, for as long as I can remember, my father would constantly insist my sister, Winry, and I take our medications, worship our eye specialists, and take action at the first sign of any changes in our usable vision. (Winry was born with Glaucoma, too despite her entering the world three years after I did. What the doctors learned from me has allowed her to keep her eyesight as she prepares to turn the big 40 on March 21st.).
As a result of my father’s hypocrisy, browbeating, and inability to genuinely try to appreciate the things in life that made me feel happy, I vowed to ensure my son, Peep, never had to go through life feeling he had to follow a set path to be the best rooster he could be. I never asked him to do anything that I would not do myself, I made sure he knew I was proud of him for what he achieved, and I make sure he knows that I both love and trust him for who he is and is becoming.
Oh, before I forget, the video editing to make this clip of Snowdrop possible was done by Toroth / Azure Dragon.
aricubVIDEO EDITING BY:
azuredragon[i]Snowdrop is the intellectual property of Silly Filly Studios (SFS) and Meredith simms. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is property of Hasbro.
Snowdrop was extra super special to me as it was only through watching it that I finally started to accept that, one day, I would lose my eyesight forever. You would think all the surgeries that resulted in my vision being compromised to next-to-nothing would have gotten me to accept that being born with Glaucoma was going to end my days of eyesight forever at some point-and-time. However, me being who I am, never wanted to give up on being able to see the world through even just a single, cloudy eyeball.
The following scene from Snowdrop was presented during our very first Coping With Disabilities Through Pony panel at BronyCon 2014. Peep, my son, was seven years old at this time and did an amazing job sharing what it was like to have a disabled father. (Typically you hear the opposite story of how parents, caregivers, etc. cope with a child who has a disability. My son is one of the few you’ll find to share how he feels about having a visually impaired father.).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HBgKg08hlg
This video was taken from the SFS animation, Snowdrop. The showing of what it is like to be ‘different’ from your fellow classmates reminded me of what I experienced throughout the entirety of my years in public education. I only wish that my father would have told me what Snowdrop’s mom, Primrose, told her.
My father, with the best intentions, stressed how I was “Just like everyone else.”. He fought for me to remain in the public education system, attend college, and acquire my Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. What he did not tell me was there was more to “You are just like everyone else.”. This being how, “You are just like everyone else if you take advantage of the tools available to allow you to perform at the same level as everyone else.”. Because I felt obligated to be just like everyone else and, as such, fail to seek aid in compensating for my visual shortcomings, I barely made it through school, flunked ‘Algebra II’ and needed Summer School to make up for the failure, and graduated in only one class that was beyond bottom-level and/or average. This being ‘English / Reading & Writing’.
Again, my dad meant well. However, upon his passing in May 2008, I came to learn how he was using me to make up for what he failed to finish on his own. He was pushing ‘his’ goals and dreams on me without really caring about what I felt made me special. He also, given being a hardcore alcoholic who snorted cocaine, failed to follow through with his doctor’s advice to check an abnormality in his heart. He felt he was above this and, well, now he’s been dead for nearly 15 years. The worst part is, for as long as I can remember, my father would constantly insist my sister, Winry, and I take our medications, worship our eye specialists, and take action at the first sign of any changes in our usable vision. (Winry was born with Glaucoma, too despite her entering the world three years after I did. What the doctors learned from me has allowed her to keep her eyesight as she prepares to turn the big 40 on March 21st.).
As a result of my father’s hypocrisy, browbeating, and inability to genuinely try to appreciate the things in life that made me feel happy, I vowed to ensure my son, Peep, never had to go through life feeling he had to follow a set path to be the best rooster he could be. I never asked him to do anything that I would not do myself, I made sure he knew I was proud of him for what he achieved, and I make sure he knows that I both love and trust him for who he is and is becoming.
Oh, before I forget, the video editing to make this clip of Snowdrop possible was done by Toroth / Azure Dragon.
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Really nice picture here. Snowdrop looks amazing with Aircub's art style. All that talk about sounds a bit sad for me even if you try to keep an optimistic view from you in there. I'm so sorry that you father want as inspirational as you required, it seems at least he inspired to be a better father and it worked quiet well. Now that I think on this... Is your son completely free of any kind of visual diseases like those ones you got congenital?
Yes he is. I am so very grateful that my son, Peep, will only need prescription eyeglasses to experience the same amount of eyesight that most everyone is able to enjoy without any of the struggles I had gone through.
What is better is, if Peep was born with Glaucoma, the medical science for treating diseases of the eye had already come a long way since I was born. The worst he would have had to deal with is a surgery every so often, using prescription eyedrops, and knowing he may not see as well as others, but still would have the visual ability, with corrective lenses, to drive a car.
Peep just turned 16 in January. He is looking to buy a used car from his Uncle Flynn and Aunt Winry through the money he has made working at a locall ice cream shop. I am very proud of him and all that he can do. He has definitely exceeded all that I was able to do by the time I turned 16 years old. Most importantly, if he does start a family one day, his children will not need to fear Congenital Glaucoma. Especially since, right now, efforts are already well underway to regenerate / repair 'The Optic Nerve', which is the most impacted part of what allows us to see in which Glaucoma is best at destroying.
What is better is, if Peep was born with Glaucoma, the medical science for treating diseases of the eye had already come a long way since I was born. The worst he would have had to deal with is a surgery every so often, using prescription eyedrops, and knowing he may not see as well as others, but still would have the visual ability, with corrective lenses, to drive a car.
Peep just turned 16 in January. He is looking to buy a used car from his Uncle Flynn and Aunt Winry through the money he has made working at a locall ice cream shop. I am very proud of him and all that he can do. He has definitely exceeded all that I was able to do by the time I turned 16 years old. Most importantly, if he does start a family one day, his children will not need to fear Congenital Glaucoma. Especially since, right now, efforts are already well underway to regenerate / repair 'The Optic Nerve', which is the most impacted part of what allows us to see in which Glaucoma is best at destroying.
That's great! I hope you keep hugging a lot embarrassing him so much in front of his friends because you love him so much hehe.
I have just reminded that my mother told me once that a pediatrician said when I only had some days of life, that I was blind... Yeah, he wasn't a good pediatrician. I'm fortunately not blind, my sigh is good, I need glasses permanently. I have a couple of visual problems, the worst one is that my visual acuity is just about the half of the average, so I need to get closer to screens basically, this hasn't seen to worse with the time, my internist said that I will have cataract when older, but well... you can also be treated of that without so much trouble. So, I guess that currently I don't have so much to worry about in that sense.
I have just reminded that my mother told me once that a pediatrician said when I only had some days of life, that I was blind... Yeah, he wasn't a good pediatrician. I'm fortunately not blind, my sigh is good, I need glasses permanently. I have a couple of visual problems, the worst one is that my visual acuity is just about the half of the average, so I need to get closer to screens basically, this hasn't seen to worse with the time, my internist said that I will have cataract when older, but well... you can also be treated of that without so much trouble. So, I guess that currently I don't have so much to worry about in that sense.
I am glad that you, just like my sister and I, were able to show everyone that your eyesight was going to be with you for a lot longer than that doctor thought it would last. (There is a part of me that believes that doctors do something very similar to what a good business does. This being that they, "Promise little, but give more than ever was expected.". However, given I lost sight in my left eye at the age of 5 from a doctor who failed to inform my parents that he had left the eye hospital, it is also just as important to get second, third, or even more opinions to make certain you have the best chance at a long and fulfilling life.).
I would not be surprised if your inspiring determination to succeed in all you do has a direct connection with how you still have usable eyesight. There is something very motivating about taking the negative words, statements, and other unpleasant things that are said and/or done to you, turning the proverbial tables on them, and being more than anyone may ever give you credit for accomplishing. I know that, even when I barely had any eyesight left, I felt pretty good about how I could spot software problems that my fully-sighted colleagues missed. I also will never forget my friend, Lorenzo, for having told me how he, "...finds that his artwork improved as he continued to lose his physical eyesight...". Maybe, given your visual limitations made you more appreciative of what could be seen along with what you could illustrate through translating what you saw in your mind into a detailed image that others could enjoy, too. :)
***
Modern medical science has made getting a cataract no trouble at all to safely remove and recover from. The trouble with cataract surgery, which I learned upon having it in 2006, is how it requires the removal of the lens your body had created on its own. They are getting better with making replacement lenses that can see both near and far, which is how your natural lens works, but I hope you can avoid needing cataract surgery for as long as possible so that you can be given a lens that will not only remove the obstruction of the cataract, but also retain, if not improve, your eyesight with as organic a manmade lens for the human eye can be. (My very diseased eye got much clearer once the cataract was removed. However it came at the cost of my ability to see things, like magazines and books, impossible without the aid of a magnification tool.).
***
What I have always appreciated about you, Sweetie, is how you keep putting forth a tremendous effort no matter how difficult your life circumstances may ever become. You are extremely creative, very friendly, and someone to whom I really and truly look up to for inspiration. I am so glad we are friends and I look forward to what our futures will be as we both continue to do our best given the obstacles / limitations we are presented with. *Hugs*
I would not be surprised if your inspiring determination to succeed in all you do has a direct connection with how you still have usable eyesight. There is something very motivating about taking the negative words, statements, and other unpleasant things that are said and/or done to you, turning the proverbial tables on them, and being more than anyone may ever give you credit for accomplishing. I know that, even when I barely had any eyesight left, I felt pretty good about how I could spot software problems that my fully-sighted colleagues missed. I also will never forget my friend, Lorenzo, for having told me how he, "...finds that his artwork improved as he continued to lose his physical eyesight...". Maybe, given your visual limitations made you more appreciative of what could be seen along with what you could illustrate through translating what you saw in your mind into a detailed image that others could enjoy, too. :)
***
Modern medical science has made getting a cataract no trouble at all to safely remove and recover from. The trouble with cataract surgery, which I learned upon having it in 2006, is how it requires the removal of the lens your body had created on its own. They are getting better with making replacement lenses that can see both near and far, which is how your natural lens works, but I hope you can avoid needing cataract surgery for as long as possible so that you can be given a lens that will not only remove the obstruction of the cataract, but also retain, if not improve, your eyesight with as organic a manmade lens for the human eye can be. (My very diseased eye got much clearer once the cataract was removed. However it came at the cost of my ability to see things, like magazines and books, impossible without the aid of a magnification tool.).
***
What I have always appreciated about you, Sweetie, is how you keep putting forth a tremendous effort no matter how difficult your life circumstances may ever become. You are extremely creative, very friendly, and someone to whom I really and truly look up to for inspiration. I am so glad we are friends and I look forward to what our futures will be as we both continue to do our best given the obstacles / limitations we are presented with. *Hugs*
Well, you're right. I'm the kind of person who takes negative comments as challenges. Biggest example is all the times my family and friends told me that didn't know to draw. What are you thinking about right now mates?! I draw at least ten times better than all of you, I'm sure...
One of things which probably motivated most to move forward is to avoid repeating all the mistakes my parents did... Especially my mother. She never thinks about anything, she never thinks what she is about to say, she never thinks why she is doing one or another thing, she can be racist, xenophobic, and homophobic and she never wants to learn anything, not even new recipes, ways to do her job better or anything at all. So, my biggest goal in life is to do exactly the opposite to my mother. I'm going to question every single thing on my life, I'm not only going to learn every single day of my life, but I'm also going to teach others. Summarizing, my biggest motivation is to be exactly the opposite to her.
You're probably right about cataracts. I don't think I'm going to need that surgery soon to be honest. My sight is pretty healthy fortunately, and one positive thing about this is that I don't have to pass through the process of using glasses for the very first time like all people suffer, because I basically birth with them and I'm 100% used to that.
It's really nice that you can find inspiration on me Yosh. I'm just a random guy who draws padded ponies and draggies and likes to write a lot of silly things. I'm not sure how that is so amazing for you, but still I hope you can keep finding inspiration on me and we can keep being amazingly nice friends nwn
One of things which probably motivated most to move forward is to avoid repeating all the mistakes my parents did... Especially my mother. She never thinks about anything, she never thinks what she is about to say, she never thinks why she is doing one or another thing, she can be racist, xenophobic, and homophobic and she never wants to learn anything, not even new recipes, ways to do her job better or anything at all. So, my biggest goal in life is to do exactly the opposite to my mother. I'm going to question every single thing on my life, I'm not only going to learn every single day of my life, but I'm also going to teach others. Summarizing, my biggest motivation is to be exactly the opposite to her.
You're probably right about cataracts. I don't think I'm going to need that surgery soon to be honest. My sight is pretty healthy fortunately, and one positive thing about this is that I don't have to pass through the process of using glasses for the very first time like all people suffer, because I basically birth with them and I'm 100% used to that.
It's really nice that you can find inspiration on me Yosh. I'm just a random guy who draws padded ponies and draggies and likes to write a lot of silly things. I'm not sure how that is so amazing for you, but still I hope you can keep finding inspiration on me and we can keep being amazingly nice friends nwn
It is very fascinating how we all seem to seek out individuals who help us feel positive, inspired, and motivated beyond where we may have been prior to meeting him / her / them.
I was talking with Lucca last night about you and why I am so happy that we are friends. What I said is how you were the very first artist to allow me to participate with you and your artistic talents despite how I no longer had any vision left to physically see your work. What I also admired about you is how you allowed me not just one, but two chances to be a better friend by apologizing for having said something that, without my intending to do so, offending / upsetting you. Lots of people in our world would not allow me a single chance to prove I had no negative intentions through my actions / words. You gave me two chances to be a better friend who, hopefully continues to, shows you the respect that you rightfully deserve.
You also keep on doing your best with your art and writing even if it may not get such a great amount of comments, views, or favorites. It is very hard to put so much time, effort, and share what you feel to be special when it seems nobody cares. It, to me, is nice to see someone else who, like me, never gives up on themselves and what their Cutie Mark is telling you to be.
***
We also share a desire to do the opposite of what our parents did, or still do. Both my parents have been the "Do as I say, but not as I do." type. My father was far worse than my mother as his hippocracy / neglect to do as he would yell at my sister and I to do was what resulted in his death at 53 years of age. (Cocaine and alcohol are a deadly combination when processed into Cocaethalene by the human body. Add in my father refusing to listen to his doctor to have a study to check his heart when his life of drugs and alcohol was months away from ending his life, his years of having high blood pressure, and howCocaine elevates blood pressure and, well, it does not take a genius to know he threw his life away while he blamed me for the corneal ulcer that formed in my eye after the surgery I had in Fall 2006.).
When my son, Peep, was born, I promised that I would do all I could to prevent him from ever having any reason to think I would ever expect him to do anything that I would not do myself. I also have only tried Marijuana / Weed / Pot a total of 3 times in my life, got bedwetting drunk once, and drink alcoholic beverages a handful of times, if that, each year. (I would rather use the money that would make me pee a lot to buy poofy-pamps that I can piddle into. *Blush*).
***
I am sure you, like me, will always love your parents. However loving your parents is different than doing what they pressure us into doing / expect of us. Let us both keep learning from the previous generation to make our generation one that allows those who shall come into this world after us be proud of who and what we represent, did, and modelled.
I was talking with Lucca last night about you and why I am so happy that we are friends. What I said is how you were the very first artist to allow me to participate with you and your artistic talents despite how I no longer had any vision left to physically see your work. What I also admired about you is how you allowed me not just one, but two chances to be a better friend by apologizing for having said something that, without my intending to do so, offending / upsetting you. Lots of people in our world would not allow me a single chance to prove I had no negative intentions through my actions / words. You gave me two chances to be a better friend who, hopefully continues to, shows you the respect that you rightfully deserve.
You also keep on doing your best with your art and writing even if it may not get such a great amount of comments, views, or favorites. It is very hard to put so much time, effort, and share what you feel to be special when it seems nobody cares. It, to me, is nice to see someone else who, like me, never gives up on themselves and what their Cutie Mark is telling you to be.
***
We also share a desire to do the opposite of what our parents did, or still do. Both my parents have been the "Do as I say, but not as I do." type. My father was far worse than my mother as his hippocracy / neglect to do as he would yell at my sister and I to do was what resulted in his death at 53 years of age. (Cocaine and alcohol are a deadly combination when processed into Cocaethalene by the human body. Add in my father refusing to listen to his doctor to have a study to check his heart when his life of drugs and alcohol was months away from ending his life, his years of having high blood pressure, and howCocaine elevates blood pressure and, well, it does not take a genius to know he threw his life away while he blamed me for the corneal ulcer that formed in my eye after the surgery I had in Fall 2006.).
When my son, Peep, was born, I promised that I would do all I could to prevent him from ever having any reason to think I would ever expect him to do anything that I would not do myself. I also have only tried Marijuana / Weed / Pot a total of 3 times in my life, got bedwetting drunk once, and drink alcoholic beverages a handful of times, if that, each year. (I would rather use the money that would make me pee a lot to buy poofy-pamps that I can piddle into. *Blush*).
***
I am sure you, like me, will always love your parents. However loving your parents is different than doing what they pressure us into doing / expect of us. Let us both keep learning from the previous generation to make our generation one that allows those who shall come into this world after us be proud of who and what we represent, did, and modelled.
Parents make a big difference! And since people and real life can be messy and imperfect, cartoon parents can be really nice since, writers often have those parents say what's write in the situation, with actual wisdom and care. (You know, unless a parent is supposed to be bad or something.)
That's how I do and view a lot of my work too, and probably you as well! Why not use our fictional worlds to create better worlds? If we know a better way things could be, why not show examples ourselves? And why in heck would we have fun with fiction just to make a place as imperfect as earth? Hehe, well focusing on the positive, it's nice when those parents and messages can help us out a lot, so I'm glad this helped you too!
That's how I do and view a lot of my work too, and probably you as well! Why not use our fictional worlds to create better worlds? If we know a better way things could be, why not show examples ourselves? And why in heck would we have fun with fiction just to make a place as imperfect as earth? Hehe, well focusing on the positive, it's nice when those parents and messages can help us out a lot, so I'm glad this helped you too!
*Nods and smiles* Spot on, Oxnard! Given what I have learned over the past 15 years, I do believe it is possible to provide a positive environment for kiddos to grow up in. I also feel that content creators, like the team behind T.O.T.s. truly want to give viewers of all ages hope that our society can be accepting, understanding, and empowering to all people. The trouble is how media marketed towards 'Y7' / 'PG-13' and beyond tends to utilize stereotypes, us-against-them, and other messages to make tweens and teens see that the world is depressing, anxiety-inducing, and that fearing / working against others is the only way to succeed. Content targetted primarily to adults goes up another level by making vile acts, like killing people, out as a common / cool way to resolve life's problems.
***
Based on my mom, my father turned out the way he did as a result of falling into the crowds who believed fast cars, getting drunk, and getting high on drugs was the best way to fit in. However, in truth, he did it all as a result of what is best summarized in a quote from one of his bosses, "It's not that I'm so smart as much as their so dumb.".
Papa O'Ducky was one college semester away from graduating with a degree that would have put him in a Chemistry Lab. He dreamed of being a chemist and did manage some related work when he was with his long-term job with the water company where I lived, but never got to actualize what he had given up for booze and narcotics until about a year before he died. He was always capable, but just got comfortable being a part of 'The Brew Crew'. He liked being the smartest in the bunch and could easily outwit any of the others who he worked for. This, though, left him with a lot of regrets as, in hindsight, he wanted me to do everything he failed to do. Unfortunately, I was quite different in many ways, he really did not support my interests, and that is why I try to be open and accepting towards Peep and his interests.
***
Based on my mom, my father turned out the way he did as a result of falling into the crowds who believed fast cars, getting drunk, and getting high on drugs was the best way to fit in. However, in truth, he did it all as a result of what is best summarized in a quote from one of his bosses, "It's not that I'm so smart as much as their so dumb.".
Papa O'Ducky was one college semester away from graduating with a degree that would have put him in a Chemistry Lab. He dreamed of being a chemist and did manage some related work when he was with his long-term job with the water company where I lived, but never got to actualize what he had given up for booze and narcotics until about a year before he died. He was always capable, but just got comfortable being a part of 'The Brew Crew'. He liked being the smartest in the bunch and could easily outwit any of the others who he worked for. This, though, left him with a lot of regrets as, in hindsight, he wanted me to do everything he failed to do. Unfortunately, I was quite different in many ways, he really did not support my interests, and that is why I try to be open and accepting towards Peep and his interests.
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