"My story was called The Dancing Groundhog. It was about a young groundhog whose parents forbade her to dance. One day she emerged from her den and danced anyway. A Hollywood agent happened to see her and discovered her talent."
It’s true. Old white men and Louisa May Alcott. Maybe Emily Dickinson was in there. But for this little religious girl who had fallen in love with library books (no one thought to censor) they were the only model I had and no one was there to offer alternatives.
I love that your five-year-old self had the confidence to tell your teacher that you could read and prove it despite her skepticism. And that you wrote 11 pages about a dancing groundhog. Wonderfully creative!
Congratulations on not only the anniversary of your substack, but your resilience too. I was especially fascinated that you referenced the fate of Rosemary Kennedy. The rest of her family did whatever they could to make sure her needs were looked after, however the father will have to live with making such a life changing medical decision on behalf of his daughter, one he came to hopefully regret- although not publicly. I hope he can be forgiven for subjecting her to such a life-altering medical procedure that never took off due to its psuedo-scientific origins and lack of any real efficacy. One would hope that the father was acting in good faith when he mandated that his daughter undergo a lobotomy, but afterward the whole thing was an utter failure. Apparently the only thing wrong with young Rose Marie was that her formative developments were delayed due to a case of oxygen deprivation at birth. It was a time when medical practioners were held in higher esteem than was genuinely warranted. She was a bright and engaging young woman, but the birth traumas left her with many challenges and the father took it upon himself to "fix" her but that ended very tragically. Kudos to the rest of the family that showed love and support for their eldest female sibling. The Shriver Foundation was borne out of this travesty, and became later the Special Olympics, an American legacy.
Thank you, Kait. Rosemary’s story has stayed with me for a long time. For me, it has become a powerful metaphor for what happens whenever we mistake difference for defect and believe a person needs to be “fixed.” I’m grateful the essay resonated with you.
What an incredible story. I was always sad for what the Kennedy's did to poor Rosemary. She didn't deserve that. No one does. I love the Dancing Groundhog story. I had a similar experience in 3rd grade where my teacher gave me extra time to write my story about becoming a jockey and winning the Triple Crown. It is good when teachers or anyone in the world sees our creativity for the magical gift it is. I also understood the implications of your professor thinking that you plagiarized your essay but because you were not used to being seen mistook it for interest in your work. Thank you for sharing your story, Kelly. I really enjoyed it.
I've been floundering on what to ready next on my summer break before I begin a Counseling program. And writing. Nothing has captured my attention but now I'm reading Emily Black. Thank you. Really.
Thank you! It's so good, at exactly the right moment I needed someone to say, ‘no really that's EXACTLY what you need to write about’ and exactly why. Why ‘making it awkward ‘ is becoming my theme for the second half of my life. Maybe I'll make a T-shirt for that every year.
I cried you struck a very deep chord, crying about being a child survivor, feeling retarded and thick, wondering why no one considered I had a brain. I remembered when I stopped my incessant daydreaming..my mind started questioning and I started to connect with my class mates. To question, get excited, compete Thankyou
"Girl's did not need an education ", seems to have been in there..an irony.. fortunately one family member encouraged me to pursue a dream I had, to go to Uni and I fought thru sabotage but completed and later did another two degrees. I always had some fight against rather than fore study. I am in my 70s now. I love your writing Thankyou
Long live the Dancing Groundhog!!! 💃
And thank the stars for the Lighthouses and Lidias and Kellys of this world!
Thank you, Selah! Can’t wait for you to read the essay which will be published this week on one of my favorite lit mags!
I am very much looking forward to it. Adore your writing.
Gahhh you know how I feel about yours! 💋💋💋
Omg me too!
"My story was called The Dancing Groundhog. It was about a young groundhog whose parents forbade her to dance. One day she emerged from her den and danced anyway. A Hollywood agent happened to see her and discovered her talent."
I remember playing the "Author" game. Memories of old men with big white beards and only one woman in the mix.
It’s true. Old white men and Louisa May Alcott. Maybe Emily Dickinson was in there. But for this little religious girl who had fallen in love with library books (no one thought to censor) they were the only model I had and no one was there to offer alternatives.
I love that your five-year-old self had the confidence to tell your teacher that you could read and prove it despite her skepticism. And that you wrote 11 pages about a dancing groundhog. Wonderfully creative!
Thank you, Wendi. 🫶
Dear Kelly
Exceptional writing and unstoppable courage to rise. Beyond inspiring.
Thank you
Well done all around
Thank you Prajna. Appreciate the read and your support.
Congratulations on not only the anniversary of your substack, but your resilience too. I was especially fascinated that you referenced the fate of Rosemary Kennedy. The rest of her family did whatever they could to make sure her needs were looked after, however the father will have to live with making such a life changing medical decision on behalf of his daughter, one he came to hopefully regret- although not publicly. I hope he can be forgiven for subjecting her to such a life-altering medical procedure that never took off due to its psuedo-scientific origins and lack of any real efficacy. One would hope that the father was acting in good faith when he mandated that his daughter undergo a lobotomy, but afterward the whole thing was an utter failure. Apparently the only thing wrong with young Rose Marie was that her formative developments were delayed due to a case of oxygen deprivation at birth. It was a time when medical practioners were held in higher esteem than was genuinely warranted. She was a bright and engaging young woman, but the birth traumas left her with many challenges and the father took it upon himself to "fix" her but that ended very tragically. Kudos to the rest of the family that showed love and support for their eldest female sibling. The Shriver Foundation was borne out of this travesty, and became later the Special Olympics, an American legacy.
Thank you, Kait. Rosemary’s story has stayed with me for a long time. For me, it has become a powerful metaphor for what happens whenever we mistake difference for defect and believe a person needs to be “fixed.” I’m grateful the essay resonated with you.
Mistaking "difference for defect"- great way to put it!
What an incredible story. I was always sad for what the Kennedy's did to poor Rosemary. She didn't deserve that. No one does. I love the Dancing Groundhog story. I had a similar experience in 3rd grade where my teacher gave me extra time to write my story about becoming a jockey and winning the Triple Crown. It is good when teachers or anyone in the world sees our creativity for the magical gift it is. I also understood the implications of your professor thinking that you plagiarized your essay but because you were not used to being seen mistook it for interest in your work. Thank you for sharing your story, Kelly. I really enjoyed it.
Thank you Nancy! Oooh I want to hear about the Triple Crown. Girls and horses, right? Leave it to me to go with a groundhog. 🤣
I've been floundering on what to ready next on my summer break before I begin a Counseling program. And writing. Nothing has captured my attention but now I'm reading Emily Black. Thank you. Really.
Lucky you!
Thank you! It's so good, at exactly the right moment I needed someone to say, ‘no really that's EXACTLY what you need to write about’ and exactly why. Why ‘making it awkward ‘ is becoming my theme for the second half of my life. Maybe I'll make a T-shirt for that every year.
My interview of her about the book just came out at The Rumpus. Check it out!
I cried you struck a very deep chord, crying about being a child survivor, feeling retarded and thick, wondering why no one considered I had a brain. I remembered when I stopped my incessant daydreaming..my mind started questioning and I started to connect with my class mates. To question, get excited, compete Thankyou
Yes to use our brains—the brains denied us
"Girl's did not need an education ", seems to have been in there..an irony.. fortunately one family member encouraged me to pursue a dream I had, to go to Uni and I fought thru sabotage but completed and later did another two degrees. I always had some fight against rather than fore study. I am in my 70s now. I love your writing Thankyou
I’m so glad you’re here, Janey. Yes education was discouraged.