March 24th - 2022: Fictional Emotional Comparisons

Only having thought about it today, I have noticed how much I relate to characters which I talk about, a lot. Specifically, Lilo, from the Disney film Lilo and Stitch.

I rewatched the film and saw so much in her that is similar to me, and I have to agree to the fact that she is somewhat of an icon in the autistic community. I will not agree or disagree if Lilo is on the spectrum herself, but I can see why she is so beloved by so many people, for sharing so many traits that connect and sit on the spectrum.

She is seen as odd person and made and outcast by her peers, has strange/unique and repetitive outcomes and has relationships with inanimate or lacking of intelligence item/creatures.

Her older sister, Nani, didn't expect to take care of her younger sister since there parents died unexpectedly, and took on a mature and older figure for Lilo to look up to and grow up around, as well as on top, treating Lilo and talking to her in ways which she can understand, but not making her sound like an idiot.

These are all things that I do, and people do for me, so I can make it through the day and onto the next. Maybe may not be the most important thing to some people, but the smallest of things can make a huge difference.

Yet, and this is not in a bad way, what made Lilo and Sticth so special for me, is that it doesn't take itself overly seriously. In my honest opinion, shows such as the likes of 13 Reasons Why had major issues with its themes and its plots as it neared the end of its last two seasons, at some points stereotyping itself, making the mockery of serious issues, and dragging out seasons that were too long and had not actual plot which its audience could relate to, except or a comedic or uncomfortable level, with the show either taking harsh and cruel looks at subjects and themes that are actually harsh and cruel, or narratives that were just down right dumb and bland.

This is where Lilo and Stitch makes its departure. Both me and Lilo have similarities in our difficulties, so we both found something to share our thoughts with and not get any backchat or serious feedback from, me having three cats which I talk to regulararly and only recieve meows if I stop stroking them, while Lilo adopts a new pet, becomes friends with it and talks to it about her issue (bearing in mind her new pet is an evil, intergalactic, lab-experiment, space dog, who wants to destroy anything and has no idea what Lilo is talking about in regards to love, friendship and family. OHANA!)

Yes, there is a huge difference between these two examples, ontop of the fact that one is entirely fictional, but the fact they me and Lilo are dealing with the same issues, but in different ways, and because Lilo's issues are dealt in a much grander and fantasy style way, it draws in young children to watch it and understand its message without feeling too much of the negative feelings that the story is trying to illustrate to its viewers.

No one is perfect, I am not, Lilo is not, we do not fit in everywhere, and that is what makes Lilo and Stitch so great in my opinion. It illustrates there is no issue in being and odd one out, especially if you don't fit into the crowd that you around and are used to most of the time, but you will find that place eventually. I have my cats, and Lilo has her "space dog."

This is what I want to implement into my own writings for this project. I want to talk about these issues, my issues, our issues, and shows that it's sometimes okay and that there is help if needed/wanted. I don't want to take the mick, offend or make fun of these issues by putting them into these fictional settings I create, but setting a scene that shares and differs from the readers world, still grounding them to a reality like theirs, but changing the perspective and tone of the story so that the reader can stay engaged with the story and hear its message, rather than simply being entertained by it and having these issues as simply part of the narrative. Yes, I still will make the stories fun to read and will entertain, otherwise what is the point if you are already feeling bad about oneself and their issues only to go and read a story that makes you feel worse.

I just want to the characters and the readers to understand each other, so they can relate and hopefully resolve some of their issues, as well as on the side enjoy an interesting narrative that will keep them entertained whilst they understand and convey the message and its importance to them.