Tag: distractions

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How Watching ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’ Got Me Through Depression

How Watching 'Perks of Being a Wallflower' Got Me Through Depression

Warning: This article discusses mental illness and thoughts of self-harm.

Like many people, I’ve always enjoyed watching films. Films tell us a story about someone’s life and struggles and shows us how they were able to overcome those obstacles that they had to face. About a year and a half ago, I had gone through a rough patch in life where I didn’t know where to turn to. I was going through college and my first real break up, along with knowing that I was going to have to live with Cerebral palsy for the rest of my life. 

I didn’t know where to turn to as nothing I did seemed to help me cope with the many different emotions that I was facing at the time. Then a friend recommended that I watch ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’ which is about a high school freshman named Charlie who’s an aspiring writer who loved journaling about his everyday life but has a difficult time handling depression.

How Watching 'Perks of Being a Wallflower' Got Me Through Life Changes

My connection with the main character:

From the minute I first saw Charlie on my screen I automatically connected with him and what he was going through as someone who was at that point in her life where everything felt very confusing. I had thought that I had everything figured out and I was now adapting to changes at the time that changed my outlook on life.

While watching ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’ I felt as if I was Charlie in the movement, and he was speaking to me directly. I related to him as he was going through being the outcast of his fellow classmates because he was the one who was not ordinarily. This is just like myself since I have Cerebral palsy and use a wheelchair as my legs. So, I tend to be the outcast of society.

My connection with the main character of 'Perks of Being a Wallflower'

At times this could all be too much for me to handle. Watching ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’ allowed me to be confident in my life and the person that I am, as well as the life story I have to tell. 

How what this movie taught me applies to my life:

‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’ reminds me that despite the bad chapters in my book I have to keep writing my life story no matter how bad the chapters are. It reminds me that it’s just one bad chapter, it’s not my whole life story. And just like Charlie overcame his obstacles and challenges of being an outcast with very little confidence, I am reminded that I’m not alone and I will overcome anything that comes my way.

How what 'Perks of Being a Wallflower' taught me applies to my life

Watching ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’ also helps me forget about the lack of mobility I have on the left side of my body due to Cerebral palsy, which can lead me to feel suicidal at times and feel trapped within my own mind and body. 

Watching this film takes away any negative thoughts I might have about myself and my abilities and helps me to continue living my life as a disabled woman with Cerebral palsy. I will be forever grateful for ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’ and its message. 

Tylia Flores is a 24-year-old born with cerebral palsy. Although her condition has affected her mobility, it has never affected her will and determination to make a difference in the world. Through her many life challenges and obstacles, she discovered her passion for writing. Tylia’s goal in life is to share her stories with the world.

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How the Andy Griffith Show Helps Me Cope with My Cerebral Palsy (TV Shows as a Coping Mechanism)

How the Andy Griffith Show Helps Me Cope with My Cerebral Palsy

There are multiple reasons as to why each of us seeks to watch specific television shows. Television shows can offer us both entertainment and distraction from our everyday lives, which becomes even more important when someone suffers from a chronic illness or has a disability. Television shows can become our escape from the reality of our circumstances, offering us a respite.

Another reason we can enjoy television shows is because of our personal identity; we find shows that reflect something about ourselves or can teach us more about ourselves. Each of us has that one television show that we love, that we could watch any day, no matter our circumstances, that would put a smile on our face. For me, that show is the Andy Griffith show.

My love for The Andy Griffith Show

I first discovered the Andy Griffith show as a child. I would watch it on the TVLAND morning block, and the second I saw Andy and Opie for the first time and heard the fishing pole theme song, I felt like everything was going to be alright, especially when I would watch some of my favourite episodes in the series. One of my favorite episodes is The Pickle Story, during which none of the characters will admit that Aunt Bee’s pickles taste horrible. However, by the end of the episode, Andy and the rest soon decide that honesty is the best policy. This episode makes me smile and laugh, helping me to forget about all my worries and my Cerebral Palsy.

My love for The Andy Griffith Show and How it Distracts Me From my Cerebral Palsy

The Episode that Relates to My Life as a Woman with Cerebral Palsy 

Though I am a fan of the Andy Griffith show as a whole and love all of the episodes, there is a specific episode that I hold close and dear to my heart. It is at the beginning of season 8 and is titled “Opie’s First Love”, where Opie’s date to Arnold’s big birthday party cancels on him at the last minute in order to go to the party with a ‘cooler’ guy.

“Opie’s First Love” hits me close to home because Opie faces rejection, however, he overcomes the obstacle of heartbreak and soon realizes that he was still able to have fun at Arnold’s party. He even gets a new girlfriend.

What This Episode Taught Me:

This episode reminds me whenever I’m having a bad day that there is something positive that can come out of a negative situation. This is especially important on days where my Cerebral Palsy is acting up. I tell myself that when I’m having a bad day, if Opie could make it through his tough time of being stood up while maintaining his kind and sweet personality, then I can make it through the obstacles my disability presents while having to deal with the judgment from society for the things I can’t do, and feeling like I have to prove myself, by remaining true to myself. Ways I do this are through my advocacy work and published literature.

This Taught Me I Can Make It Through the Obstacles My Disability Presents By Remaining True to Myself.

I’m Thankful for The Andy Griffith Show

There is a lot that I could thank The Andy Griffith Show for teaching me. On my most difficult days when I feel down and out, I can always turn on my television and enter the world of Andy Taylor, Opie Taylor, Aunt bee, and Barney Fye. I enjoy finding out what lesson is going to be taught during each episode, and how I can take that and apply it to my every day life as I interact with society as a disabled woman.

Like Andy Griffith once said: “I firmly believe that in every situation, no matter how difficult, God extends grace greater than the hardship, and strength and peace of mind that can lead us to a place higher than where we were before.” This is a quote that I remember every day, as I live my life with grace as a person with a disability.

Tylia Flores is a 24-year-old born with cerebral palsy. Although her condition has affected her mobility, it has never affected her will and determination to make a difference in the world. Through her many life challenges and obstacles, she discovered her passion for writing. Tylia’s goal in life is to share her stories with the world.