Po-Nonimous 583 January 27, 2015 Share January 27, 2015 (edited) My Favourite Mane 6 Pony: FluttershyHow did you find MLP Forums?: Through other fan sites and forums. How you became a fan of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: That, itself, is a novel-length story but I'll just say I once was a hater but now I'm not. (Warning: This may be a long post as I'm inclined to write long posts so, for those who don't like reading long posts I'll just say, "I once was a hater, now I'm not." Now, for those who don't mind and even enjoy reading long posts I'll continue.) First, I'm part of a very lovely, loving family of three: myself, my wife and my daughter. Uniquely, we're all disabled. Next, I'm so new to the fandom that I have yet to watch all the episodes, but I'm working on it! At this point I'm most of the way through season two and very much looking forward to watching seasons three and four. Now, I may well be the oldest member of the fandom but, being as new as I am, I haven't found any other fans who are or are even close to my age. "How old is this fan?", you may well ask, and that's certainly a valid question. I will be sixty in March. That, of course, leads to the question, "Why are you here?" Again, that is certainly a valid question and deserves to be asked. Well, I've always loved and enjoyed cartoons ever since I was a little boy and, as far as I'm concerned, the more unique the better and MLP/FIM is, to me, a very unique and original show. Now, as I said in the "How I Became A Fan" blurb, I was once a hater but my mind was slowly changed. What (or more appropriately who) did that? Derpy hooves! Yes, I know... She's a background pony and isn't often featured in the show but that doesn't matter to me. Who and what she is, does. It was various fan-made compilation videos on Youtube that first drew my attention to Derpy and, honestly, I instantly loved her because Derpy reminds me so much of my daughter, who is mentally handicapped. They are very much alike. Sure, Derpy's klutzy and a bit clumsy, isn't always entirely aware of what she's doing or why things happen but she has an indomitable spirit, an unstoppable willingness to try and try again until she either succeeds or fails. To her credit any failures she may experience are not from lack of trying. The other thing is that Derpy, like my daughter, loves unconditionally with a shining, pure, innocent love that very few people in this world will ever know or be blessed with. Still, Derpy's not stupid. In her way she, like my daughter, often shines with a wisdom that seems ageless, timeless and pure, to see with the uncanny ability to get straight to the heart of a matter precisely and express deep wisdom on it with few words. Now that, alone, would have been enough to make me a fan but I saw there was more and it made my heart smile. Sure, the other Equestrians are often annoyed by Derpy's klutsy and clumsy mishaps but beneath all of that there is a real love, a true acceptance and appreciation of Derpy from the others. Sure, they see Derpy's disabilities but, being able to see beyond those things, they see so much more! Derpy's love for them, her innocent willingness to help and do what she can to try to make the lives of those around her a little better in her own small way is honestly portrayed and it's clear they appreciate it as they return that love in spades. There have been cartoon shows in the past which have attempted to portray disabled people and to try to include them but, as I have seen and in my opinion, those shows failed because it seemed to me that they were written by people who were seeing disabled people as something to be dealt with rather than treated as people to the point where the other characters treated the disabled character in a condescending, patronizing way as if they felt like they were stuck babysitting the disabled character rather than just treating them like any friend would treat another friend. This is a feeling I also know from personal experience and I can tell you! It wasn't pleasant. Beyond that the other Ponies embrace, accept, understand and love Derpy just because she's Derpy and that, alone, would be enough. But the writers of the show have shown the good wisdom to take things beyond that. At one point Derpy becomes Ponyville's mail carrier which is a great responsibility and no small task. She is the mail carrier because the other Ponies, looking beyond her disabilities and seeing the person within, knew that she could handle that responsibility and handle it well. So, in that I see a strong portrayal of inclusiveness, an attitude which simply and clearly says "you're one of us. We love you." This, to me, is a remarkable thing in a cartoon TV show, something which sets MLP/FIM apart and makes it as unique as anything that's ever been created. Finally, I love that the show gives very clear, positive and wonderful messages and lessons about loyalty, honesty, integrity, and how a person can, when faced with a weakness or fault can, with the help of loving friends, eventually overcome that fault or weakness and succeed, thus becoming a better person as a result. These are principles and ideals that I've embraced and held dear almost all of my life My daughter and I watch the episodes together and we love every minute! Thanks for reading. Edited January 27, 2015 by Poni-namous 5 "Theological debates are great for intellectual children since they require absolutely no facts!" - Mary Hawking, older sister of Stepehen Hawking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tameless 980 January 27, 2015 Share January 27, 2015 Welcome to the forums! Hope you enjoy it here. (Also that was beautifully written.) The other thing is that Derpy, like my daughter, loves unconditionally with a shining, pure, innocent love that very few people in this world will ever know or be blessed with. 4 Signature By: Kyoshi "There has never been a sadness that can't be cured by breakfast food." - Ron Swanson QuirkyUsername Makes Me Smile! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
碇 シンジン 27,440 January 27, 2015 Share January 27, 2015 Hello my friend and welcome here on Forums =)=) That is one very heartwarming story you got there. It is wonderful that show about little ponies can mean so many things to different people and glue families more together. I'm happy that you decided to join here =) and If you have any questions feel free to ask them =)! 4 Rarity Fan Club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
True Rarity 1,240 January 27, 2015 Share January 27, 2015 (edited) Welcome! I'm so glad you're here. Your story was truly touching. Your daughter sounds so sweet and amazing! I'm glad she has you in your life to enjoy this fandom with her. Edited January 27, 2015 by True Rarity 4 My deviantART Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mist Blitz~ 227 January 27, 2015 Share January 27, 2015 Welcome to the Forums!! You'll have a great time here? Hug?~ 3 Sig by Balareth. Buy one Here. []OC[]MistBlitz[]Coco[] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisted Cyclone 🚓 6,269 January 27, 2015 Share January 27, 2015 Hey there and welcome to the MLP Forums! I hope you enjoy it here and make a lot of new friends. 3 Country and Rock fan | Car fan (especially police cars) | Weather Pony | YouTube | Twitter | DeviantART Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wicked Funky 2,956 January 27, 2015 Share January 27, 2015 Hello and welcome! I Think its really sweet that you Watch it with your doughter I hope you have a great time here on the forums and make alot of new friends Season 4 is Amazing btw 2 Just your avrage scrub Irelia, Poppy and Shen main. Signature banner by ~ Akatsuki ~. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Po-Nonimous 583 January 27, 2015 Author Share January 27, 2015 I want to thank all of you who've welcomed me so far. It's nice to see an MLP that really strives to live up to and practice the principles, ideas and lessons that are set out in the show. Thank you all for making me feel welcome here. Yep! I think I found my MLP home. 3 "Theological debates are great for intellectual children since they require absolutely no facts!" - Mary Hawking, older sister of Stepehen Hawking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hocus Pocus 636 January 27, 2015 Share January 27, 2015 *clears throat and inhales deeply* Also, what you wrote about Derpy and your daughter.... pure poetry 2 ~Hocus Pocus Ya weni mareh mirekyarahireJuri yu mirekerason Kire hyari yoriherahe nyuraheraNunnyura unera yurawera nihmerani Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koukatsu 5,899 January 27, 2015 Share January 27, 2015 Welcome to the forum! YAY! I hope you make a bunch of friends while you're here! And that you stick around for a long time! The best staff member (or most vain staff member, whatever) approves your Derpy love. I know we have another member who was either born in 52, or had just turned 52... My memory is appalling, sorry. D; Also, if you have any questions, concerns, or experience any issues, please feel free to let us know by creating a thread in the Site Questions & Tech Support forum, so we can get you answers, assurances, and/or solutions! 2 || Ponysona || Ask Me Anything || Johari Window || Twitch || Gamer Stuff || Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catnet 9,359 January 27, 2015 Share January 27, 2015 Hey there, welcome to the forums! It's clear to see that this show means a whole lot for you, as it does for everypony here- I hope that you and your daughter continue to enjoy the show, and that you enjoy your stay in this friendly community! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerulean Wings 176 January 27, 2015 Share January 27, 2015 Feel free to befriend me and send me a message. :3 I will try my best t answer any questions you may have. I hope you have a great time here and make plenty of friends! 2 ~ I Am Perfected Imperfection ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286 January 27, 2015 Share January 27, 2015 That is the biggest single post I have ever seen in the welcoming section. Welcome to the forums! I hope you enjoy your stay. For the Omnissiah! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11th Doctor Whooves 794 January 27, 2015 Share January 27, 2015 Hi! Welcome to the Forum 3 Ask 11thDoctorWhooves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swoop Productions 78 January 27, 2015 Share January 27, 2015 Welcome to the forums welcome friend to the forum. i hope you make many friends here and also you were once a hater......Sorry but i just can't resist making this joke (My Little Pony Controls even the Most Evil Of Haters..... if they watch a episode or too) not that funny but who cares i sure don't If you need help with anything just ask Also If you would like me to make you a custom profile picture With gimp just pm me and I'd be glad to help you Well see you around the forums! 2 Youtube: Swoop productions OC: Smiling Sun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CloudKicker 391 January 27, 2015 Share January 27, 2015 Welcome to the heard sir you know whole disabled i'm acutually in class next to me has full disability stuff and try help them out and try and help them etc and the teachers and that class are very nice enough about me rambling. I also hope you enjoy time here and welcome aboard 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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