Creators Of Split Ignore Dissociative Identity Disorder Community

Creators Of Split Ignore Dissociative Identity Disorder Community

Shyamalan, McAvoy and others involved in Split movie ignore multiple concerns and requests.
Amelia Joubert
Amelia Joubert Jan 30, 2017
2151
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As someone with DID, it's probably no surprise that I have not been thrilled with M. Night Shyamalan's latest movie, Split. To put it simply, I find it pretty stigmatizing. Still, I never tried to shut the movie down or hate on people who chose to see it; I understood that it's someone's work of fiction and created for entertainment. Instead, I tried to educate people about DID and reached out to the people involved in the film.

This is why I created a petition asking that the people involved in the movie make a short PSA about DID. As stated in this petition, I want the world to understand that violence in people with DID is very rare and that we are not killers. We just want to live our lives in peace and be accepted for who we are. We don't want to be feared and judged.

Yet despite over 16,000 signatures and multiple attempts on my part to get in touch with Shyamalan, no progress has been made. The truth is, Shyamalan, McAvoy, and the rest of the people involved in this production have chosen to ignore the DID and psychiatric communities.

In September of last year, I spoke on the phone with Shyamalan’s personal assistant, Rakel Joyce, who gave me her email address. So I sent her our petition, along with the petition letter, and she said she would forward it along. In the months since I’ve emailed her several times asking her how they plan to respond to this petition and she has completely ignored me. Joyce was listed in the credits as Shyamalan's personal assistant and even had an extra part in the movie. Seeing as how Joyce had very easy access to Shyamalan, it is highly unlikely he did not see the petition.

In late 2014, Shyamalan actually spoke to clinical psychologist, Bethany Brand, about DID. Brand even offered to introduce Shyamalan to people with DID. But once the trailers for Split came out, Brand contacted Shyamalan expressing her own concern and asking how he planned to counteract the stigmatization the movie may cause. Shyamalan claimed that "he and Universal Pictures were interested in promoting information and support for those with DID." Brand also talked to a representative from Universal Pictures and things seemed to be going well until, as Brand says, "crickets...there was nothing." It appears that she was pushed aside and ignored just as I was.

In fact, the movie's lead, James McAvoy, states in the video below that he was not able to find anybody with DID willing to talk to him. Despite Brand's offers to connect Shyamalan with DID patients and despite my own attempts to reach out to McAvoy and his agents.

So where does this leave us? As much as I don't appreciate the stigma this movie has already created in my life, with a classmate saying they would be scared to meet someone with DID after seeing Split, I would have been willing to grin and bare it if the people who made this movie were not ignoring the DID community. Instead, we are left alone to combat our own villainization and attempt to show the world that we are not the dangerous people this film depicts us as.

As I strive to educate, all that I have is my voice and my community. I hope these words can make a difference. I hope that people know they don't have to fear me.

Cover Image Credit: IMDB
Amelia Joubert
Amelia Joubert Jan 30, 2017
At Chronic and Mental Illness

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8 Reasons Why My Dad Is the Most Important Man In My Life

Forever my number one guy.
Sydney Kofron
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Growing up, there's been one consistent man I can always count on, my father. In any aspect of my life, my dad has always been there, showing me unconditional love and respect every day. No matter what, I know that my dad will always be the most important man in my life for many reasons.

1. He has always been there.

Literally. From the day I was born until today, I have never not been able to count on my dad to be there for me, uplift me and be the best dad he can be.

2. He learned to adapt and suffer through girly trends to make me happy.

I'm sure when my dad was younger and pictured his future, he didn't think about the Barbie pretend pageants, dressing up as a princess, perfecting my pigtails and enduring other countless girly events. My dad never turned me down when I wanted to play a game, no matter what and was always willing to help me pick out cute outfits and do my hair before preschool.

3. He sends the cutest texts.

Random text messages since I have gotten my own cell phone have always come my way from my dad. Those randoms "I love you so much" and "I am so proud of you" never fail to make me smile, and I can always count on my dad for an adorable text message when I'm feeling down.

4. He taught me how to be brave.

When I needed to learn how to swim, he threw me in the pool. When I needed to learn how to ride a bike, he went alongside me and made sure I didn't fall too badly. When I needed to learn how to drive, he was there next to me, making sure I didn't crash.

5. He encourages me to best the best I can be.

My dad sees the best in me, no matter how much I fail. He's always there to support me and turn my failures into successes. He can sit on the phone with me for hours, talking future career stuff and listening to me lay out my future plans and goals. He wants the absolute best for me, and no is never an option, he is always willing to do whatever it takes to get me where I need to be.

6. He gets sentimental way too often, but it's cute.

Whether you're sitting down at the kitchen table, reminiscing about your childhood, or that one song comes on that your dad insists you will dance to together on your wedding day, your dad's emotions often come out in the cutest possible way, forever reminding you how loved you are.


7. He supports you, emotionally and financially.

Need to vent about a guy in your life that isn't treating you well? My dad is there. Need some extra cash to help fund spring break? He's there for that, too.

8. He shows me how I should be treated.

Yes, my dad treats me like a princess, and I don't expect every guy I meet to wait on me hand and foot, but I do expect respect, and that's exactly what my dad showed I deserve. From the way he loves, admires, and respects me, he shows me that there are guys out there who will one day come along and treat me like that. My dad always advises me to not put up with less than I deserve and assures me that the right guy will come along one day.

For these reasons and more, my dad will forever be my No. 1 man. I love you!

Sydney Kofron
Sydney Kofron Mar 29, 2016
At University of Arizona

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Being Sick In College Is A Real Struggle

Being sick in college is definitely not as fun as having a sick day in middle school or high school.

Doug Baran
Doug Baran Apr 18, 2019
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Something that I have had to deal with multiple times these past two semesters is being sick while in school. It can be a real pain especially depending on what type of sickness it is. I have had tonsillitis, mono, and I'm pretty sure I also had the flu.

Being at school and away from home can make being sick worse because there is nobody to take of you such as your parents. Another thing is having to make the decision to get the rest that your body needs in order to feel better or staying on top of your assignments to avoid falling behind. My parents will always tell me to get a good night's sleep so my body can feel better the next day. However, sometimes I will feel more stress if my work isn't getting done and I feel like I'm falling behind and leaving things to get done in the last minute.

Currently, I am sick now and the past few days haven't been easy, but I still attended all my classes so I wouldn't miss any material or assignments that were given. I usually end up feeling the worst at night when trying to fall asleep, and by that time the doctors are not present at the student health center. Even though my health is important I usually don't like taking too much time out of my day to go to the health center to see a doctor. Some days I don't really have much free time before the evening.

I don't believe I have been over-exerting myself, but I don't want to just stay in my bed all day and sleep, even though that may be what is best for me. Most professors will be understanding if I email them and provide them a doctor's note as well, but I also just got back from a conference where I had to miss two days of classes next week.

I have been trying to keep hydrated so that way my body can fight the sickness. Also, I have been told if you stay hydrated you can flush the virus out of your body quicker.

Eating can also be a pain when you have a sore throat, for the past couple of days I have tried to have some soup in order to help. Most meals I would have to force myself to eat something of substance in order to give my body some type of energy in order to get through the day. It's also never fun not being able to breathe out of your nostrils. If it wasn't my nose being stuffed, then it would be constantly runny so there was no winning that battle.

Looking back, I probably should have done a bit more work over spring break in order to get ahead in the case that something like this would happen. I wanted my break to be exactly that, a break. After not being home for a few months I just wanted some time off to relax.

Doug Baran
Doug Baran Apr 18, 2019
At University of Delaware

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