‘Gork!’ presents a positive message – A Letter to the Editor

Press Citizen  11:00 PM, Oct. 1, 2011

I had the pleasure of being able to see the encore performance of “Gork” at the Iowa City Public Library. It was a very real portrayal about a family giving their all while raising a child with a disability.

“Gork” portrays the love and relationships between parents, siblings and friends. The Terrill family’s devotion and delight was evident in the showcasing of the unique gifts that their brother, Adam, possesses. So often, our society sees only the person’s limitations, and judges harshly when the standard of perfection isn’t met.

I also am a parent of an adopted adult child with disabilities, who now is struggling in the adult world, as well as a professional working with adults with disabilities, I related to the frustration the family expressed about working with a public school system that labels, but really doesn’t teach, and then moving on to the adult services system that is now so difficult to access, and will only become more so with looming cuts in programs and services. I also could relate to the fear these parents expressed about what the future holds for their adult child who will need on-going support in a very tenuous and scary world.

“Gork” is about a real family who very honestly shares their experiences, feelings and differences of opinion related to their child, throughout the growing up years into adulthood. It definitely is a message from the gut but also very much from the heart. I highly recommend it.

Starla Elsberry, Marshalltown, IA