International Disability Day, semester wrap up...and final project.

 It was brought to my attention that today, December 3rd, is hailed worldwide as "International Disability Day." Just in time for my wrap up of Autumn 2023 semester, and my "final project" in which one creates a "Russian spy" character of their own!

I'm excited about my character Kathleen...or Katerina, as she prefers to be called. We were to create the idea of an "atypical" Russian spy (either someone of any nationality spying for Russia/the Soviets, or a Russian character spying for the USA or another "Western" country. In brainstorming our character, we were to create a "pitch" to sell the idea to Amazon, Netflix, etc. on why they should create a film or show created around our character. So, without further ado, I present my idea for my readers...

(WARNING: This does mention a character with self-harm and suicidal thoughts.)

1.     Name of your Russian (or former Soviet bloc) spy/spies

 

Birth name: Kathleen Murray. Has chosen the Russian first name Katerina to think of herself in secret.

 

2.     Short description of your spy/spies. Include their nationality and whom they are spying for.

 

Nationality: Irish-American, no close ancestral ties to Russia. Medium length dark brown hair, pale skin, blue eyes (classic “Gaelic” look.) Spying for Russia/the Soviet bloc. Diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and C-PTSD. Has had suicidal thoughts in the past. 

  

3.     Is this a film or tv show? Film.

 

 

4.     Genre of the film/show (e.g.: comedy, drama, historical, romance, etc.) Drama

 

 

5.     Pitch the plot to us in 250 words or less. (about 2-3 minutes of recitation if you are recording a video.) Make us want to see your film/show! Kathleen is suicidal and worn down in her ableist, capitalist world that doesn’t care for her mental health and forces herself to be something that she’s not for said world’s own comfort. Every day, her fascination with the Soviet bloc grows stronger. New studies drive her further along, claiming that autism originated to give an advantage in hunting and tracking…thousands of years ago, in what is now Russia.      

  

6.     What is distinct about your spy/spies and their story relative to previous Russian spy films and shows? In other words, why should we make your film or show in 2022 when dozens of other Russian spy films and shows already exist? Explain in 250 words or less. (About 2-3 minutes of recitation if you are recording a video.)

My character is openly neurodiverse in a “neurotypical” world. From what I’ve seen, we’ve had no characters that were openly diagnosed with autism, etc. (of course there were plenty that were very obviously neurodivergent.) This is also an alternate universe-the year is 2025 (so a little over a year in the future from now) but in this world, the USSR never collapsed – the Soviets are still kicking, so to speak. This will give a great look into autism, ADHD, PTSD and self-harm, as well as the suspected/theorized roots of the former two conditions. It will also go to show where determination and drive can get a person, what lengths some people will go to be accepted and taken seriously, and what “atypical” individuals can do if they’re only given a chance. 

 

Notes:

-The “alternate universe” that I was somewhat torn between setting this in was either the 1960’s but they *did* have autism/ADHD as recognized diagnostic labels (in “real life” they weren’t recognized in the DSM until much later) …or the modern day, but the Soviet Union never collapsed. I went with the latter.

 

-Kathleen (Katerina) is supposed to be the great-great niece of, and gains much of her inspiration from, my other fictional character, Stormy Maeve Johnson, a young half-English, half-Irish woman who overcame self-harm and anxiety to fight in the Easter Rising. I’m considering adding supernatural elements where she can “channel” Stormy’s spirit.

 

-Kathleen also loves Russian hardbass music! 😊  

Now that you've met Kathleen (Katerina) I want to jump onto my next topic: figures from the past, who changed the world...and who would have been labeled "neurodivergent" today, and thrown aside. I want to make an example from PBS Masterpiece's "Victoria" which one can get on Amazon Prime. I'm not going to lie...it's disheartening, watching the portrayal all of these influential historical figures who left a tremendous impact on the world...who today would have been diagnosed with autism and thrown aside. Lady Ada Lovelace, who is credited as more or less being the first computer programmer, and who is the ultimate fiery autistic girl. She was literally a human calculator, and she could squeal for hours on end about her complex math equations, solving them in nanoseconds in her head. As I said, Victoria may have been the Queen of England, but Lady Lovelace was frankly the Queen of Feisty Autistic Women. (And it's sad that she did die extremely young of uterine cancer.)

And even more poignant is John Snow...the weird little guy who had a terrible stammer and could barely speak because of it. As an outdoorswoman, I especially owe a lot to him! It's thanks to him that we outdoors people now know what contaminated water can do to you. If we do indeed hike across the continent to Oregon (planning on it) or Hel, even the Appalachian Trail as well...treat river water. Better safe than sorry. Without John Snow's discovery, I and many people that I know, could still be in danger of cholera if we're out on the trail. Now we know that water from rivers and unknown sources has to be purified with bleach or iodine tablets. And thanks, but I'd rather not shit rice water and be screaming in pain until I'm dead within an hour.

It's sad and poignant. Who knows how many Ada Lovelaces, John Snows, etc. we have wasting away, not being given any chances. There are so many great insights, voices, and talents that we have being thrown away, simply due to labels and differences.