By Cathy Jameson

I’m nearing the end of a grad course that I am taking, and that means catching up on lots of reading over the weekends.  I had extra time last week to get ahead on two papers that are due at the end of this month.  For the first paper, I had to compare and contrast two disabilities and include an advocacy group’s information.  I wrote about Williams Syndrome, Regressive Autism, and included details about The Autism Community in Action. The second paper topic was disability in the media.  Since I’ve written about music and sign language before, I thought I’d edit my latest assignment a tad and share it as today’s post  

Enjoy!

When I saw the prompt for this paper, I knew immediately that I was going to write about a video that I saw back in the mid2010s.  The video, which featured a young woman using American Sign Language (ASL), was one of the most powerful videos I had ever seen.  So moved and impressed by her and her ability, I remember sharing the video with family and close friends.  For years, we had been using ASL with my son who was non-verbal.  For years, I also noted that music moved him.  From overwhelmingly peaceful pieces like Mozart’s Concerto 21 to incredibly profound songs, like Nine Inch Nails’ “Every Day Is Exactly the Same”, I had been in awe of his music choices.  It took me awhile to find the exact video I wanted to write about for this assignment, (it has been taken down from several sites by 8 Mile Productions for copyright infringement) but when I found it, the emotions I remembered from almost a decade ago came rushing back.  So much so, I shared it again with family and close friends.  

Accompanying stories featured Shelby Mitchusson and her interpretation of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” with sign language. With how unique the story was, many outlets shared it.  Mitchusson’s reason for sharing the video, besides that it was created for an interview to be an interpreter, was that she had “…a deep love for interpreting music…”  The original articles of the sensational story were not terribly long.  Ones I searched for today were even shorter, but the video fills in the gaps and shows just how powerful the  interpretation of a song can be.  

Mitchusson uses a common form of communication that students who are deaf or hard of hearing and students who have been diagnosed with non-verbal autism may also use.  While she is not the person with the disability, Mitchusson’s ability to sign gives a chance to those who cannot hear the music to see the music.  It allows them to watch the lyrics, to realize the tone, and to view the depths of emotion come to life visually.  

The reporter picked up the story of Mitchusson’s ASL performance from other sources when the video gained popularity.  An audition tape for a job with concert venue Autism City Limits, many who saw it were completely in awe of it. In searching for more news from this timeframe, I saw that several outlets shared similar information.  All reported that Mitchusson’s talent was undeniable, and several included that she did indeed secure the job.  

While researching for this paper, I learned that the American Disabilities Act requires that interpreters be available at venues if concert goers request that.  Quite a rare job, it could help Mitchusson, and other interpreters, maintain a consistent presence at large entertainment events.  Not only does that position help the fan who may have hearing differences, but it reminds the industry, and the public, that audiences with unique needs and disabilities can be served.  

Social media and the internet helped Shelby Mitchusson’s story reach many audiences across all abilities back in 2015.  From local headlines to international headlines, Mitchusson brought awareness and appreciation to scores of readers, listeners, and followers.  The news sites that picked up her story were not just disability-related websites either.  The message shared was a universal one, and those with disabilities, and those without, were impressed with her talent.  

When the story and video went viral, disability groups commented on how well Mitchusson signed the lyrics and how she perfectly shared the emotion of Eminem’s song.  She shared music with those who could not hear but who very well could feel it.  Eminem is known for deep, raw commentary in his rap songs, and Mitchusson successfully conveyed that in her video.  Looking at her other interpretations,  Mitchusson delivers what artists wish to evoke to their fans and followers – a connection.  

Just like the first time I discovered it, I’ve rewatched the “Lose Yourself” video several times over the last few weeks.  Each time I do, I’m reminded of one of my favorite quotes.  “Where words fail, music speaks.”  In Shelby’s case, the music she is interpreting truly speaks volumes.

Cathy Jameson is a Contributing Editor for Age of Autism.

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