Out of My Mind | Parenting, Advocacy, and Real Talk on Disability Inclusion

Hosts of Disney Moms Gone Wrong — Suzy and Diana — are joined by special guest Chesney from “Chesney’s Corner” for a deep, honest conversation about the Disney+ film Out of My Mind, based on Sharon M. Draper’s bestselling novel. They unpack the emotional weight of the story, which follows Melody, an 11-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, and reflect on what it means to advocate for kids with disabilities. The episode dives into the educational system, the role of parents and teachers, and how this film mirrors real-life experiences in special education.

Timestamps & Topics:

• 00:00 Welcome and Chesney’s Return to Podcasting

• 02:00 Introducing Out of My Mind and Melody’s Story

• 04:30 What “mainstreaming” means in education

• 06:20 Parenting moments that hit home

• 08:00 Advocacy through the eyes of a parent

• 10:00 The Ollie the goldfish scene and its emotional impact

• 12:00 Chesney explains what today’s 11-year-olds would put on a talk pad

• 14:45 Melody’s integration into the classroom

• 16:30 Mean girls, accurate portrayals, and school dynamics

• 18:00 Standing up to teachers and reclaiming agency

• 20:00 Are schools doing enough? A breakdown by district type

• 24:00 Special Day Classes, inclusion gaps, and reading deficits

• 28:00 The Wiz Kids moment that inspired other students

• 32:00 What each host took away from the film

• 38:00 Rose’s betrayal and Melody’s breakdown

• 42:00 How their families reacted to the movie

• 44:00 Generational lessons and the call to show this film in schools

Key Takeaways:

• Out of My Mind showcases the power of student advocacy and the need for inclusive classrooms.

• Melody’s story isn’t sugarcoated, which makes it feel real and deeply relatable.

• Chesney offers a Gen Z lens on how today’s kids relate to the film and each other.

• The episode highlights how much work still needs to be done in special education systems, especially in under-resourced districts.

• Families watching together opened up important conversations across generations.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Just because people are going to be wiping your ass your whole life doesn’t mean you have to kiss theirs.”

• “Advocacy doesn’t need a degree. It just needs someone who gives a damn.”

• “If your child can’t read, they’re behind in every subject.”

• “That goldfish scene broke me. Her first words being about Ollie? Full-circle moment.”

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Tags:
Out of My Mind, Sharon M Draper, Disney+, cerebral palsy representation, inclusive education, disability in film, special education advocacy, parenting, kids movies review, Geek Freaks Headlines, Disney Moms Gone Wrong, movie review, book adaptation podcast, Apple Podcasts