Having just managed to carry my plate, glass of water and my laptop to the table (using both hands, my torso and at one point my leg to hold everything), I sat down to watch the Last Comic Standing.
This week's challenge was participating in the famous Friars at the Beverly Hills Roast. The very nature of a 'roast' is to be sarcastic and 'kindly' pick on the 'roastee'. I was looking forward to this! A group of comedians who are competing now get the chance to 'kindly' make fun of one of their own. Let me put this in perspective, whilst it doesn't seem like a bad idea, I likened it to giving a football team the chance to stampede one player. My sarcastic humor and I sat in anticipation!
Through a process of putting Cigars in box (I have no idea why this was the process) Gabriel was nominated to be the 'roastee' which he seemed pleased and ready for, "I like roasts, pot roasts all kinds of roasts." This was going to be great!
So as I am eating I hear Josh's opinion on Gabriel being the roastee, "I think it's great that Gabriel won, who doesn't like a good fat joke?" I fell off my sofa laughing at his frankness. Josh continues to surprise me with his openness to laugh at the obvious and to say what most people are thinking. It may seem cruel to say such a thing but Josh was completely correct, most of the jokes were centered on Gabriel's weight with Josh saying that "Gabriel looks like a Marshmallow toasted."
I loved the comment as Josh has a great sense of who he is and I think points out that whilst it is clear that Gabriel is over weight and that he has Cerebral Palsy these attributes do not define them. To laugh at these obvious facts people can get it out of their system, move past it and see the real person.
Forgive me if I haven't quoted this correctly:I was crying with laughter as well as typing, in Ty's roast he said "Gabriel's chances of getting Rebecca was like Josh's chances of becoming sniper." A bit too harsh? Not really. Having CP myself, I think everyone can achieve whatever they want. Still, there are certain professions I would not be fantastic at, like a sniper or a gymnast. Oh, and if I am honest, a waitress... I don't think I'd be great at carrying all those plates and glasses at the same time! As it is, I have to use my body to carry one plate-somehow I don't think a restaurant would want me to ask the customers if I could borrow their bodies as an extra pair of hands!
This fact of my life does not deter me, but has helped me to concentrate my efforts to dreams and aspirations along other paths.
Anyway, the rest of the show was more roasting in which Kristen managed to somehow create silence in the room and Chris won. I think him calling Gabriel "the rock that chased Indiana Jones" was very funny and possible the reason he won the challenge.
...And then the scandal happened...Gabriel sneaked in a Blackberry (just couldn't wait to talk with his main squeeze, apparently) and was kicked off the show! Michelle aptly commented that all she needed to do was plant a cell phone in everyone's room and she would win! (insert evil laughter here!).
In the end, the five finalists were chosen and Josh Blue among them! Josh commented, "With CP I often get brushed off. Now people listen to me!"
I think he has got so far because he is demonstrating that yes he has Cerebral Palsy and yes his body moves differently than someone without CP, but that does not define him. One of the judges said "You definitely have the pity vote and it can't help to put a couple more arm moves in here and there." Whilst I think that this might have some truth to it, Josh Blue has got as far in this competition because he is funny and has an amazing outlook on his disability. People need to see that people with disabilities can do anything they want to and can achieve their dreams.
Josh, you are an inspiration to us all.
