21-year-old Carly Fleischmann’s interview with Channing Tatum is genuine and endearing, and it might just change the way you think about life and humanity.
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The world is full of “cans” and “cannots”. As a man, one might slowly put their head down and quietly push forward–even though their resolve is tested when they’re told they “can’t” do this or that. As a woman, another might consider it an offense. As someone with a disability, however, the question of what’s acceptable to be deemed as “doable”–and what’s not–isn’t up to those who make big decisions and run multi-million dollar corporations.
It’s up to me. I’ve heard the saying, “Hear, but don’t listen” before–but somehow always thought I was the first to really take it in stride. i thought I was the first to carry the weight if cerebral palsy on my shoulders–the first to feel that kind of pain. The truth of the matter is, I wasn’t the first to do or feel any of these things, and after watching the video above, I know I won’t be the last to experience them–and most importantly, overcome them.
Actor Channing Tatum was recently the very first guest on the very first nonverbal talk show in history called “Speechless”. He’s best known for playing everything from a manly man in Magic Mike to the troubled brother of an Olympic wrestler in Foxcatcher–but when he went one-on-one with the show’s host, Carly Fleischmann, the world gets the opportunity to witness a refreshingly honest interview.
Fleischmann, who is autistic and is able to speak through the use of only a pre-programmed iPad, started the interview by asking, “Would you date a 21-year-old person with autism?” after gushing about how big of a fan she is of Tatum.
He replies, “Yes, if I got permission from my wife.”
He answers the question so naturally, so politely (with a hearty laugh), that it’s easy for viewers to forget that he’s talking to someone with a disability. There’s definitely something to be said for that in itself, but as the interview continues for the next seven minutes, the world gets another dose of refreshing reality: Channing is game for anything and keeps the laughs going. Perhaps the best part of all this is that his reactions and responses are absolutely from the heart.
There’s nothing fake, overbearing or belittling about this–and that’s why it’s such a refreshing and beautiful thing to watch. I think for Fleischmann to take this leap despite her disability–and for Tatum to go into this with such an open mind, is beyond amazing. It’s phenomenal, and it speaks to the fundamentals of modern masculinity. Not only that, but this is the exactly the way I’d want to be treated if I were being interviewed by Carly–or anyone else, for that matter.
I’ll leave you with this: It’s OK to stay true to your beliefs about life and humanity–regardless of how right or wrong they are, However, if you want or need a reason to change, watching this video is a pretty good place to start.
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Photo Credit: www.fastcompany.com