[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:18.85,0:00:24.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Imagine being unable to say,\N"I am hungry", "I am in pain"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.28,0:00:26.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Thank you", or "I love you."
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.84,0:00:28.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Being trapped inside your body,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.96,0:00:31.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a body that doesn't respond to commands.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.12,0:00:33.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Surrounded by people,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.80,0:00:35.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,yet utterly alone.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.44,0:00:37.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Wishing you could reach out,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:37.16,0:00:40.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to connect, to comfort, to participate.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.40,0:00:44.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For 13 long years, that was my reality.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.52,0:00:48.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Most of us never think twice\Nabout talking, about communicating.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.08,0:00:53.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I thought a lot about it,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.24,0:00:55.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've had a lot of time to think.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.92,0:00:58.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For the first 12 years of my life,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.04,0:01:00.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was a normal, happy, healthy little boy.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.76,0:01:02.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then everything changed.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.92,0:01:05.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I contracted a brain infection.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.20,0:01:07.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The doctors weren't sure what it was,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.52,0:01:10.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they treated me the best they could.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.04,0:01:13.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, I progressively got worse.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.44,0:01:17.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Eventually, I lost my ability\Nto control my movements,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.64,0:01:18.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,make eye contact,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.00,0:01:22.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and finally, my ability to speak.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.28,0:01:24.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While in hospital,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:24.52,0:01:27.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I desperately wanted to go home.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.12,0:01:30.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I said to my mother, "When home?"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.44,0:01:33.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Those were the last words\NI ever spoke with my own voice.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:34.92,0:01:37.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would eventually fail every test\Nfor mental awareness.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.76,0:01:41.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My parents were told\NI was as good as not there.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.60,0:01:45.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A vegetable, having the intelligence\Nof a three-month-old baby.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.24,0:01:49.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They were told to take me home\Nand try to keep me comfortable
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.92,0:01:51.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,until I died.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.00,0:01:55.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My parents, in fact\Nmy entire family's lives,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.56,0:01:59.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,became consumed by taking care of me\Nthe best they knew how.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.88,0:02:02.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Their friends drifted away.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.24,0:02:04.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One year turned to two,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.08,0:02:05.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,two turned to three.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.24,0:02:09.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It seemed like the person I once was\Nbegan to disappear.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.68,0:02:13.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Lego blocks and electronic circuits\NI'd loved as a boy were put away.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.60,0:02:18.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had been moved out of my bedroom\Ninto another more practical one.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.08,0:02:21.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had become a ghost,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.80,0:02:24.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a faded memory of a boy\Npeople once knew and loved.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.20,0:02:29.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Meanwhile, my mind began\Nknitting itself back together.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:30.48,0:02:33.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Gradually, my awareness started to return.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:33.52,0:02:36.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But no one realized\Nthat I had come back to life.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.88,0:02:38.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was aware of everything,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.72,0:02:40.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just like any normal person.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:40.76,0:02:43.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I could see and understand everything,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.08,0:02:45.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I couldn't find a way\Nto let anybody know.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.56,0:02:49.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My personality was entombed\Nwithin a seemingly silent body,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:50.56,0:02:53.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a vibrant mind hidden in plain sight\Nwithin a chrysalis.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.92,0:02:57.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The stark reality hit me\Nthat I was going to spend
Dialogue: 0,0:02:57.68,0:03:00.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the rest of my life locked inside myself,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:00.36,0:03:02.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,totally alone.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.08,0:03:05.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was trapped with only\Nmy thoughts for company.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.72,0:03:07.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would never be rescued.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.92,0:03:10.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No one would ever show me tenderness.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.88,0:03:13.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would never talk to a friend.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.16,0:03:15.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No one would ever love me.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.92,0:03:18.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had no dreams, no hope,\Nnothing to look forward to.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.08,0:03:22.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, nothing pleasant.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:22.60,0:03:23.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I lived in fear,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.96,0:03:25.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and, to put it bluntly,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.52,0:03:28.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was waiting for death\Nto finally release me,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:28.60,0:03:31.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,expecting to die all alone in a care home.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.52,0:03:35.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I don't know if it's truly possible\Nto express in words
Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.92,0:03:38.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what it's like not to be able\Nto communicate.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.76,0:03:41.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Your personality appears\Nto vanish into a heavy fog
Dialogue: 0,0:03:42.20,0:03:46.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and all of your emotions and desires are\Nconstricted, stifled and muted within you.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.00,0:03:51.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For me, the worst was the feeling\Nof utter powerlessness.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.52,0:03:53.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I simply existed.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:54.68,0:03:57.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a very dark place to find yourself
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.16,0:03:59.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because in a sense, you have vanished.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.00,0:04:04.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Other people controlled\Nevery aspect of my life.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:04.24,0:04:06.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They decided what I ate and when.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.56,0:04:09.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Whether I was laid on my side\Nor strapped into my wheelchair.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:10.56,0:04:13.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I often spent my days\Npositioned in front of the TV
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.96,0:04:15.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,watching Barney reruns.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:16.44,0:04:19.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think because Barney\Nis so happy and jolly,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:19.36,0:04:21.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I absolutely wasn't,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:21.12,0:04:22.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it made it so much worse.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.80,0:04:26.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was completely powerless\Nto change anything in my life
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.24,0:04:29.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or people's perceptions of me.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:29.72,0:04:33.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was a silent, invisible observer\Nof how people behaved
Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.32,0:04:35.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when they thought no one was watching.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.72,0:04:38.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Unfortunately, I wasn't only an observer.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:39.44,0:04:42.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With no way to communicate,\NI became the perfect victim:
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.44,0:04:46.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A defenseless object,\Nseemingly devoid of feelings
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.44,0:04:50.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that people used\Nto play out their darkest desires.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.20,0:04:54.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For more than 10 years,\Npeople who were charged with my care
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.88,0:04:57.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,abused me physically,\Nverbally and sexually.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:58.76,0:05:01.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Despite what they thought, I did feel.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.40,0:05:04.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The first time it happened,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:04.16,0:05:06.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was shocked and filled with disbelief.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.84,0:05:08.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How could they do this to me?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.12,0:05:10.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was confused.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:10.72,0:05:12.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What had I done to deserve this?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.44,0:05:16.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Part of me wanted to cry\Nand another part wanted to fight.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.52,0:05:20.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hurt, sadness and anger\Nflooded through me.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:21.28,0:05:23.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I felt worthless.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.08,0:05:25.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There was no one to comfort me.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:26.08,0:05:29.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But neither of my parents\Nknew this was happening.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.36,0:05:32.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I lived in terror, knowing\Nit would happen again and again.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:33.44,0:05:35.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I just never knew when.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.56,0:05:38.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All I knew was that I would\Nnever be the same.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.36,0:05:42.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember once listening\Nto Whitney Houston singing,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.00,0:05:46.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"No matter what they take from me,\Nthey can't take away my dignity."
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.88,0:05:50.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I thought to myself,\N"You want to bet?"
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.12,0:05:56.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Perhaps my parents could have\Nfound out and could have helped.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.88,0:05:59.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the years of constant caretaking,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:59.16,0:06:02.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,having to wake up\Nevery two hours to turn me,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.08,0:06:05.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,combined with them essentially\Ngrieving the loss of their son,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:05.48,0:06:08.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,had taken a toll on my mother and father.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.84,0:06:12.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Following yet another heated argument\Nbetween my parents,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.44,0:06:15.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a moment of despair and desperation,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:15.08,0:06:18.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my mother turned to me\Nand told me that I should die.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.16,0:06:23.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was shocked, but as I thought\Nabout what she had said,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.32,0:06:26.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was filled with enormous compassion\Nand love for my mother,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:27.36,0:06:29.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,yet I could do nothing about it.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.64,0:06:33.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There were many moments when I gave up,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.04,0:06:35.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sinking into a dark abyss.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.44,0:06:38.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember one particularly low moment.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:38.60,0:06:40.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My dad left me alone in the car
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.88,0:06:43.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while he quickly went\Nto buy something from the store.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.48,0:06:47.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A random stranger walked past,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.12,0:06:49.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,looked at me and he smiled.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:50.88,0:06:53.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I may never know why, but that simple act,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:54.04,0:06:56.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the fleeting moment of human connection,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.36,0:06:58.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,transformed how I was feeling,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.76,0:07:00.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,making me want to keep going.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.76,0:07:04.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My existence was tortured by monotony,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.72,0:07:07.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a reality that was often too much to bare.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.76,0:07:11.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Alone with my thoughts,\NI constructed intricate fantasies
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.92,0:07:14.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about ants running across the floor.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.32,0:07:19.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I taught myself to tell the time\Nby noticing where the shadows were.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.41,0:07:24.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As I learned how the shadows moved\Nas the hours of the day passed,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.60,0:07:28.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I understood how long it would be\Nbefore I was picked up and taken home.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.28,0:07:32.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Seeing my father walk\Nthrough the door to collect me
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.56,0:07:34.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was the best moment of the day.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.60,0:07:37.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My mind became a tool that I could use
Dialogue: 0,0:07:37.96,0:07:40.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to either close down\Nto retreat from my reality
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.80,0:07:44.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or enlarge into a gigantic space\Nthat I could fill with fantasies.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.80,0:07:47.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I hoped that my reality would change
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.80,0:07:50.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and someone would see\Nthat I had come back to life.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.68,0:07:53.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I had been washed away\Nlike a sand castle
Dialogue: 0,0:07:53.40,0:07:55.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,built too close to the waves,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:55.56,0:07:58.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in my place was the person\Npeople expected me to be.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.76,0:08:02.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To some I was Martin,\Nthe vacant shell, the vegetable,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:03.56,0:08:07.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,deserving of harsh words,\Ndismissal, and even abuse.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.00,0:08:10.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To others, I was the tragically\Nbrain-damaged boy
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.96,0:08:13.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who had grown to become a man.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.20,0:08:16.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Someone they were kind to and cared for.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.40,0:08:18.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Good or bad, I was a blank canvass
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.92,0:08:21.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,onto which different versions\Nof myself were projected.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:23.16,0:08:26.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It took someone new\Nto see me in a different way.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.48,0:08:29.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,An aromatherapist began coming\Nto the care home about once a week.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:30.76,0:08:33.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Whether through intuition\Nor her attention to details
Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.76,0:08:35.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that others failed to notice,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.80,0:08:39.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she became convinced that I could\Nunderstand what was being said.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.96,0:08:42.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She urged my parents\Nto have me tested by experts
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.48,0:08:46.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in augmentative\Nand alternative communication.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.80,0:08:48.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And within a year,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.04,0:08:51.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was beginning to use\Na computer program to communicate.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:52.12,0:08:55.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was exhilarating,\Nbut frustrating at times.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:55.88,0:08:57.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had so many words in my mind,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:57.88,0:09:00.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I couldn't wait\Nto be able to share them.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.72,0:09:04.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sometimes, I would say things to myself\Nsimply because I could.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.48,0:09:08.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In myself, I had already an audience,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:08.12,0:09:11.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I believed that by expressing\Nmy thoughts and wishes,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:11.28,0:09:13.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,others would listen, too.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:13.04,0:09:15.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But as I began to communicate more,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.32,0:09:18.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I realized that it was in fact\Nonly just the beginning
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.34,0:09:21.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of creating a new voice for myself.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:21.48,0:09:25.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was thrust into a world\NI didn't quite know how to function in.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.84,0:09:27.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I stopped going to the care home
Dialogue: 0,0:09:27.52,0:09:30.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and managed to get my first job\Nmaking photocopies.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:31.40,0:09:34.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As simple as this may sound,\Nit was amazing.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.88,0:09:36.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My new world was really exciting,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.92,0:09:39.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but often quite overwhelming\Nand frightening.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.76,0:09:41.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was like a man-child,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:41.60,0:09:43.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and as liberating as it often was,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.72,0:09:45.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I struggled.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:45.48,0:09:48.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I also learned that many of those\Nwho had known me for a long time
Dialogue: 0,0:09:49.04,0:09:53.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,found it impossible to abandon the idea\Nof Martin they had in their heads.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:53.72,0:09:55.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While those I had only just met
Dialogue: 0,0:09:55.36,0:09:58.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,struggled to look past the image\Nof a silent man in a wheelchair.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:00.00,0:10:02.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I realized that some people\Nwould only listen to me
Dialogue: 0,0:10:02.76,0:10:05.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if what I said was in line\Nwith what they expected.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:05.80,0:10:07.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Otherwise, it was disregarded
Dialogue: 0,0:10:07.84,0:10:10.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they did what they felt was best.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.52,0:10:12.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I discovered that true communication
Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.56,0:10:15.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is about more than merely\Nphysically conveying a message.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:16.40,0:10:19.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It is about getting the message\Nheard and respected.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:20.96,0:10:23.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Still, things were going well.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.24,0:10:25.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My body was slowly getting stronger.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:25.84,0:10:28.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had a job in computing that I loved,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:28.32,0:10:32.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and had even got Kojak, the dog\NI had been dreaming about for years.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:33.24,0:10:36.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, I longed to share\Nmy life with someone.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:37.20,0:10:41.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember staring out the window\Nas my dad drove me home from work,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:41.64,0:10:45.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,thinking I have so much love inside of me\Nand nobody to give it to.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:46.36,0:10:50.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Just as I had resigned myself\Nto being single for the rest of my life,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:50.84,0:10:52.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I met Joan.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.64,0:10:55.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not only is she the best thing\Nthat has ever happened to me,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:56.12,0:11:00.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but Joan helped me to challenge\Nmy own misconceptions about myself.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.04,0:11:04.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Joan said it was through my words\Nthat she fell in love with me.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.68,0:11:08.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, after all I had been through,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:08.48,0:11:10.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I still couldn't shake the belief
Dialogue: 0,0:11:10.24,0:11:13.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that nobody could truly see\Nbeyond my disability
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.26,0:11:15.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and accept me for who I am.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:16.08,0:11:19.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I also really struggled\Nto comprehend that I was a man.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:20.28,0:11:23.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The first time someone\Nreferred to me as a man,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:23.12,0:11:25.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it stopped me in my tracks.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:25.44,0:11:28.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I felt like looking around\Nand asking, "Who, me?"
Dialogue: 0,0:11:30.08,0:11:32.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That all changed with Joan.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.28,0:11:33.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We have an amazing connection
Dialogue: 0,0:11:33.88,0:11:37.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I learned how important it is\Nto communicate openly and honestly.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:38.56,0:11:42.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I felt safe and it gave me the confidence\Nto truly say what I thought.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:43.52,0:11:46.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I started to feel whole again,\Na man worthy of love.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:47.84,0:11:50.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I began to reshape my destiny.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:50.32,0:11:52.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I spoke up a little more at work.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.56,0:11:55.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I asserted my need for independence\Nto the people around me.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:56.96,0:12:00.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Being given a means of communication\Nchanged everything.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:00.84,0:12:04.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I used the power of words and will\Nto challenge the preconceptions
Dialogue: 0,0:12:05.08,0:12:08.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of those around me\Nand those I had of myself.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.68,0:12:11.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Communication is what makes us human,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:11.40,0:12:13.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,enabling us to connect\Non the deepest level
Dialogue: 0,0:12:13.72,0:12:15.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with those around us:
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.68,0:12:17.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Telling our own stories,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:17.28,0:12:20.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,expressing wants, needs and desires,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:20.92,0:12:23.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or hearing those of others\Nby really listening.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:24.08,0:12:27.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All this is how the world\Nknows who we are.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:27.44,0:12:29.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So who are we without it?
Dialogue: 0,0:12:30.48,0:12:33.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,True communication increases understanding
Dialogue: 0,0:12:33.68,0:12:36.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and creates a more caring\Nand compassionate world.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:37.80,0:12:40.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Once, I was perceived\Nto be an inanimate object,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:40.92,0:12:43.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a mindless phantom\Nof a boy in a wheelchair.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:44.24,0:12:46.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Today, I am so much more.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:46.52,0:12:48.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A husband, a son, a friend,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:48.96,0:12:52.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a brother, a business owner,\Na first-class honors graduate,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:53.24,0:12:55.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a keen amateur photographer.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.60,0:12:58.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It is my ability to communicate\Nthat has given me all this.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:00.32,0:13:03.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We are told that actions\Nspeak louder than words.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:04.04,0:13:05.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I wonder,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:06.00,0:13:07.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,do they?
Dialogue: 0,0:13:08.88,0:13:11.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our words, however we communicate them,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:11.56,0:13:13.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are just as powerful.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.68,0:13:16.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Whether we speak the words\Nwith our own voices,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:16.44,0:13:17.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,type them with our eyes,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:17.80,0:13:21.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or communicate them non-verbally\Nto someone who speaks them for us,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:22.08,0:13:24.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,words are among our most powerful tools.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:26.40,0:13:29.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have come to you through\Na terrible darkness,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:29.24,0:13:31.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,pulled from it by caring souls
Dialogue: 0,0:13:31.36,0:13:33.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and by language itself.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:33.72,0:13:36.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The act of you listening to me today\Nbrings me farther into the light.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:37.76,0:13:40.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We are shining here together.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:40.08,0:13:43.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If there is one most difficult obstacle\Nto my way of communicating,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:44.40,0:13:46.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it is that sometimes I want to shout
Dialogue: 0,0:13:46.36,0:13:49.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and other times, to simply whisper\Na word of love or gratitude.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:50.68,0:13:52.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It all sounds the same.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:52.96,0:13:54.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But if you will,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:54.40,0:13:57.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,please imagine these next two words\Nas warmly as you can:
Dialogue: 0,0:14:00.48,0:14:01.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:03.14,0:14:06.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)