6 celebrities I would like to see make some noise about disabilities

The other night I was laying in bed watching TV and a commercial came on. Maybe you’ve seen it–it was with Mary J. Blige and it was for the American Cancer Society. Her message was that “we need to make some noise” about cancer research and cures. I neither like nor dislike her as a musician, haven’t listened to her since the 90s, really. I have no idea what her personal connection is to cancer, if there is one. But it’s a good commercial. And it got me to thinking…….what is it going to take to get some celebrities to make some noise about our cause(s)? To make some noise about kids with disabilities, special education, autism, learning disabilities and all that? And I mean more than the ones that are cray-cray and only spew anti-vaccine propaganda which does NOTHING to help us. The special education world is in crisis, and we need some folks to make some noise.

Here is my list of celebrities, who you may not know have a personal connection to our cause. Below is a short list of celebrities who support special needs. I’d like to politely request that they begin to MAKE {MORE} NOISE.

Ashton Kutcher

Although Ashton Kutcher has lobbied for more funding for research for cerebral palsy, most people don’t know that he has a brother with CP. A few years ago, Time Magazine named him one of their 100 most influential people, so yeah…….I’d like him to make some noise!

Will.I.Am

I love the Black Eyed Peas, and I just love love love the song that he did with Sesame Street a few years ago. Did you know that he is considered to be legally blind? Yep, he is. He is seriously near-sighted and has a condition called nystagmus. He has stated in interviews with magazines that his vision issues made it very difficult for him in school and that is why he turned to music.

Eva Longoria

The next on my list is actually making some noise, but I would like her to make more. The beautiful Eva Longoria has a sister that is intellectually disabled and she has said in interviews that she is inspired by her. Ms. Longoria does do some work with children with special needs, as pictured below. She also has a direct line to President Obama and other “higher ups” in the Democratic party because of her celebrity status, ability to motivate the Latino population, and ability to be an effective fund raiser. So c’mon, Eva, make some noise for us!

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake has stated publicly that he has ADD and OCD and that school was very tough for him. Surely he knows how kids that are experiencing the same feel in school. He also is half of one of Hollywood’s power couples and his close friendship with Jay-Z (one of the richest and most influential black men in this country) means he also pretty much has a direct connection to Obama if need be. (in case you missed it, Jay-Z was sitting front and center for the Inauguration) No longer just a boy band heart-throb, JT could be a force to be reckoned with….if we could get him to make some noise!

Ashley Judd

Will she or won’t she run for Mitch McConnell’s Senate seat? Only time will tell. Ms. Judd is more than an actress and a pretty face. She’s intelligent, has been very outspoken on issues such as women’s issues and global health. She has been outspoken about mental health issues, but my wish is for her to make more noise! 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness of some kind, and the Judd family has had their fair share. As an active participant in the Democratic party, enough so that she is considered a serious candidate for Senate, she really could have an impact in this area if she would make some noise. Add some glamor to mental illness issues and help take away the stigma.

Last but certainly not least on my list………

Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps was diagnosed with ADD in elementary school and his mom has been very open about their struggles and their coping strategies. We know Michael Phelps can make some noise in the pool…so let’s hear him make some noise about living with ADD!

I’ll end this post with the Will.I.Am and Sesame Street video. We love this song in our house.