Story Tail Here! And I Have a Message and Request.

[StoryTail 104]

Hey guys!  Story Tail here!  Or rather that's the pony I created in my head, but I haven't really established if she's a Pegasus, unicorn, or earth pony.  But she's a very good story teller, hence the name.  A bit Fluttershy-esque as she's nervous about actually writing any of her stories down like someone will steal it from her or something (kinda like Fluttershy was too nervous to sing in front of people).  She prefers sharing stories to the fillies and little animals in small groups.  I've thought of a small episode for her that was very similar to the plot of Fluttershy being afraid to sing (it was before the episode came out).

 

But anyway!  On to more important things!

 

The Message:

 

I've been thinking of this long and hard since the Derpy Hooves controversy occurred and wanted this very much to happen but didn't have the nerve to ask bronies if they'd be willing to contribute.

 

As we all know, Hasbro censored Derpy Hooves because she was portrayed in a way that seemed to be a stereotype of a mentally handicapped person.  Some people claimed that it offends people who are actually mentally disabled.  While there were some that were mentally disabled and said they weren't offended by Derpy Hooves and some even liked her.

 

There was one that particularly struck me, long ago, that said he/she enjoyed Derpy Hooves because they don't often portray disabled characters and he/she could relate to her.  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find where I found this comment, I read it in one of the news articles.  It could be that I mixed up what was said, but there are plenty more that are similar to that comment:

 

 

I know how this could be solved- Just call her Ditzy Doo from now on, and give her some speaking parts and let her name actually be said- like one of the characters you don't see as much, like Granny Smith, or Cheerilee. And another thing.. Derpy pretty much represented disabled people. This is also a show about friendship, not just excluding someone who isn't normal. I have ADHD, and Derpy doesn't offend me at all- she is, in fact, my favorite character. When they excluded Derpy Hooves, they taught people about how everyone else who is different can never be important or shouldn't have an opinion or speak about anything. Good job, Hasbro. Good job.

http://www.equestriadaily.com/2012/02/amy-keating-rogers-response-to-derpy.html

 

 

For what it's worth - I have exactly the same condition as Derpy/Ditzy (strabismus) and know just how it makes you clumsy, as you lose depth perception. I personally took no offense whatsoever from this character and in fact think its wonderful that one of the most popular characters on this show has the same issue as myself.
On the other hand, I'm an adult, so can shrug off any disparaging comments. Kids can be cruel and getting teased as a kid hurts. However whether 'Derpy' ot 'Ditzy' they both mean the same to me, and kids could make 'Muffin' sould like an insult if they wanted to.
All in all I'd say that either name is fine, but whatever happen they should never cut the character. Ditzerpy is getting more screen time in Season 4 (at least, from the bits of the show I've watched over my kids' shoulders) which is all to the good...
If they allowed a bit more character development for this character, making it clearer that she's not stupid, just clumsy, then maybe the people who think she's an insult to the mentally handicapped would be appeased.

http://www.equestriadaily.com/2012/02/amy-keating-rogers-response-to-derpy.html

 

 

Derpy is by far theeee most relatable beautiful not in an odd way character and I despise the fools who went to great lenghs to ruin her since although a cartoon character I can very easily relate since when I was born I had a cleft pallet and couldnt open my right eye but i got sorted now just have barely visible scars.

http://www.equestriadaily.com/2012/02/amy-keating-rogers-response-to-derpy.html

 

 

Oh come on, I have Autism and I didn't find it offensive until they censored it. So does that mean all mentally changed people like me are gonna be censored too?

http://www.equestriadaily.com/2012/02/amy-keating-rogers-response-to-derpy.html

 

 

As somebody who has different physical disabilities and neurological disorders that would make me considered "derpy" at times, I am rather offended by the way the alterations were handled. IMO, it is one thing to be considerate, but too many people are taking this to, *ahem*, stupid extremes - look at the well-intended "end the R word" campaign, which seems to promote abolition of the word - and not targeting the behavior - and doing so in such a way that ignores the numerous, and common, non-derogatory use of the word 'retarded' as it related to mechanical, aeronautical, automotive engineering, etc.

http://www.equestriadaily.com/2012/02/amy-keating-rogers-response-to-derpy.html

 

 

You have a point. It seems as if everytime a show brings about a character who appears to be disabled (in this case Derpy looked it but wasn’t) all the whiny moms start complaining and using us like this. Is it so wrong to be what we are? I’ve seen messages from other retarded people like myself who love Derpy and were upset when Hasbro removed her name and un-derped her eyes. I suggest we make an open letter to Hasbro and have people with disabilities, who love Derpy to sign it and send it in. If could get some parents on board as well, that would be awesome because there were some parents who hated the change too.

http://mlp.derpynews.com/the-last-roundup-reairs-with-derpy-censored/

 

 

This post right here, this is what I’ve been saying. That and the whole idea that Derpy was never mentally handicapped, just clumsy due to being cross eyed. Never mind that she was doing her job in Hurricane Fluttershy and didn’t cause any accidents, unlike somepony. As a person who is disabled it hurts me to think that if I were in a show I could be censored just because some people don’t like it.

http://mlp.derpynews.com/the-last-roundup-reairs-with-derpy-censored/

 

And let's not forget the great article, "To Derp is to Love.  To Love is to Tolerate."

http://firestorm-can.deviantart.com/journal/To-Derp-is-to-Love-To-Love-is-to-Tolerate-287553810

 

Seeing there are people that are mentally disabled, love Derpy, and may even look up to her, shouldn't we have an episode that represents Derpy Hooves in a positive look?  We should have an episode dedicated to people that are mentally and physically disabled; and how they're not to be looked down upon!  We should request Hasbro to make that episode, and Derpy Hooves should be in it!

 

It's been done before in a PBS episode of Clifford The Big Red Dog where Clifford and his friends met a three legged dog and learn to treat him no differently from other people.  Why not one for My Little Pony, a show that teaches tolerance?

 

Here's what I thought for an episode so far:

1.  Rainbow Dash formally introduces Derpy Hooves to the ponies when they see her talking to Derpy.

2.  Derpy's trademark love of muffins and mail delivery work is shown, but there's another aspect of her that we have not seen; she often visits a class of special need fillies.  Often she entertains the fillies and help them see that they can still have a bright future even with their disabilities.  (I've also thought of an explanation for her bubble cutie mark and thought she could have an extreme talent in blowing bubbles in all kinds of shapes to entertain the fillies).

3.  Derpy will be portrayed to have a lazy eye disorder:  either strabismic or anisometropic.  She'll be clumsy due to her eyes not giving her good visual aid.  She will not be mentally disabled but she could have a learning disability like visual and auditory processing disorder, but that might be a bit much...

4.  The Mane 6 spend time and get to know the fillies and Derpy.

5.  There's some festival going on in Ponyville that they have to set up.  Derpy and the fillies try to help out but the ponies make the mistake of telling them they don't have to partly due to their underestimation of the fillies' abilities and Derpy's clumsiness.

6.  Trouble occurs, which the Mane 6 try to fend off, but Derpy and the fillies end up saving the day.

 

So...  Anypony that would be into making this happen and ask Hasbro to make this episode?  We could discuss further in another thread if enough ponies are interested.

Edited September 6, 2014 by StoryTail

[Night Visions 624]

So, I am not too sure how to get Hasbro to do this, but I'm in. I will see what I can do, because I myself am a Derpy Hooves lover. I also love Luna, but Derpy has been the Mane character in my book for a while now. Anyways, my name is DarPony663, and I'd be glad to work with you on this project. Hope you respond, thanks

 

-DarkPony663 (AKA) cR Gamer_Luna

If you would like to get a hold of me to talk further, since I am rarely on these days, feel free to message me by phone or whatevs.

 

(520)-705-3817

 

Or find me (cR Gamer_Luna) on http://www.fimfiction.net

 

Leave a message in the comment section, because I update my books daily.

 

-DarkPony663 (AKA) cR Gamer_Luna

[StoryTail 104]

Hey DarkPony!

 

Thanks for your support!  Of course, the project won't be set in motion yet cuz we'd need to get enough support in order for it to get moved along and noticed by Hasbro.

 

What we could do is write several story plots with the theme of the Mane 6 learning that disabled ponies shouldn't be treated any differently from regular ponies and shouldn't be looked down on.

 

It'd be great if we had some support from fellow bronies that have some disabilities to help point us in the right direction on correctly portraying these ponies.

[KatieBelle 302]

Hello! Welcome to the forums!

StoryTail is an adorable name! *Why didn't I think of that* xD

[StoryTail 104]

Thanks!  xD

 

And I dunno, I think KatieBelle is just as adorable!