RJ Mitte Speaks Out
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to attend a speech given by RJ Mitte to University of North Texas students. RJ Mitte is an actor well known for his part in the popular TV series, Breaking Bad (2008-2013). RJ Mitte is open in discussing the fact that he has Cerebral Palsy and how his philosophy in life and the work he does has developed with the disability he has.
Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorders which affects body movement and coordination. Mitte discusses how he grew up with the disability. Constantly going to the doctors and wearing contraptions for his legs. At the time, he didn't really think it was anything out of the ordinary.
"I didn't know I was different until someone told me I was..."
Below are a few of the key points that RJ Mitte pointed out that have impacted his life in positive and negative ways, but have helped shaped his outlook in his own identity.
Bullying
Mitte discusses how he was constantly dealing with bullying as a kid. He was pushed, shoved, his hands stomped on and broken. Though he struggled, he also allowed himself to find real friends at school, and create a community.
"Treat someone as a person, not a child... even if they need more help in some things or have different challenges than yourself."
You can't stop bullying, but you can cut it out of how it impacts you. Saying you can't do something is a decision, not something you are forced into. This ideology of saying "can't" comes from fears. These fears orginate from comparing yourself to others. Allow yourself to be beyond the comparisons put on yourself from you or bullying. No matter how cheesy it sounds: Be Yourself. If you let your fear control you, you won't grow or overcome it. Don't let your fears manipulate you. Don't let insecurities of others, who make assumptions, dwell in yourself.
Media
Mitte started acting at the age of 13, and began to learn what working the TV and Film industry really meant: "Disability is not weakness but in media it can be used as money." Proving to the industry that they can profit off of Mitte because of his disability, was a huge factor he claims to his role in Breaking Bad.
Mitte speaking out about how Breaking Bad has impacted him as an actor:
Disability is a challenge that can be turned into Power. We have the ability to affect change, particularly on tv and social media. We are all on it and use it. We can use to internet to make change using our online presence as a tool and a weapon. The online self you portray can be different from who you really are, and it creates an outlet not only for those with disabilities but anyone who is attempting to figure their own identity out, which is practically a constant challenge. Disability is a knowlege and a personal challenge that is a factor in your identity, but not your identity as a whole. Disability is not just physical or mental, its also how ppl affect you, family, work, etc. and it can affect everyone.
"People are not a disability."
Disability is often put with liability, but that's not true. Disability is an assett. It gives a different perspective and insight to a minority point of view.
People's purpose is to learn, to grow and have passion to learn, keep evolving and finding what you love.
Activism
RJ Mitte is a Love to the rescue® ambassador for Shriners Hospital, where he was once a patient at.
You can read more about his impact with Shriners Hospitals for Children here
RJ Mitte is also associated with UCP, United Cerebral Plasy. UCP advocates the "independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network. United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) educates, advocates and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities." http://ucp.org/
What He Represents
RJ Mitte is to people with disabilities as Selena Quintanilla-Pérez is to Latinos, as Margaret Cho is to American-Asian women, and as Laverne Cox is to transgender sociecty. He has become a symbol of possibility, and it shows, particularly when people reach out to him.
During the Q&A session of his speech, people with disabilities felt courage to talk about their own struggles, how to face the bullies, the fear, and how to change their mind set to their advantage as Mitte has. Mitte states, "This speech is an opportunity to influence, not work."
The points of facing the struggles he faced in life is not only relevant to people with disabilites, but for anyone. We can all relate to bullying, to fear, and the way media can impact us, therefore we can all individually make a difference in how people with disabilities are seen or thought of in society.
