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LOCAL PULITZER WINNER DEBUTS SHOCKING NEW PIECE!
Sydney E. McDaniel, local man, father, brilliant writer. He has become a household name in the last few years due to his tremendous success with his poem "Shawn," which earned him The Pulitzer Prize, as well as skyrocketed his career and landed him in every talk show seat throughout LA and New York. The poem was written about his son, whom the poem is titled after, who has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair and has no communicative skills.
McDaniel wrote the poem years after his son's diagnosis, as a cathartic exercise in an attempt to come to terms with his grief. He had no idea the accolades his poem would receive, or the notoriety he would. His son Shawn, now 14, has never been able to experience life normally, and he has no means of communication. His understanding of his surroundings limited, he is not responsive in any manner. Shawn's condition tore the family apart, as it so often does to families in similar situations. McDaniel and his wife separated about a year before the release of the poem. He also has two older children, Cindy and Paul whom he maintains a close relationship with, despite his fame.
Since going on the talk show circuit, McDaniel had taken a hiatus from publishing any of his writings, instead choosing to spend more time with his family. While his ex-wife is Shawn's primary care giver, McDaniel has spoken at length about his desire to be able to assist in more of the day to day operations relating to Shawn's health care. At this time, he has declined to comment on whether or not his fortune has allowed him to seek experimental treatments and testing to divulge more about Shawn's potential capabilities.
While he maintains that he has always been working on projects, both personally and professionally, but nothing had been released until yesterday. McDaniel had first taken to social media to tease fans about an upcoming, and controversial, project. In the tweet, he eluded to his desire to shed light on the "ugly" side of parenting children with severe disabilities. Later that day, during a press conference, McDaniel made the announcement that he would be working on a piece that will air on cable television. The bombshell came when he further explained what the topic of that piece would be: Earl Stetson. The man who is charged with killing his 2 year old son, who had a debilitating seizure disorder as well as a developmental disability. Stetson was quoted during his arrest explaining "I just wanted to end his pain."
This case has opened up a dialogue across the nation about the morality of this man, and the thousands of other parents like him, "who have had to watch their children suffer day in and day out." Similar to the debate years ago having to do with the elderly and terminally ill and assisted suicide, emotions run deep on this topic. There are strong cases to be heard on both sides, but mostly from politicians.
McDaniel aims to give those parents and families affected a voice. To tell Stetson's side of the story. To show the rest of the public just how painful "life" can be for children with such severe disabilities and conditions. Though controversial, as Earl is one of the most hated men in America at this time, McDaniel hopes that he can share Stetson's perspective and raise awareness to the daily struggle many families face silently: "I hope that we as a human race, can become more compassionate and understanding of what life, for so many families worldwide, is truly like and the toll it takes on them." McDaniel declined to comment on his personal connection to the subject matter and whether or not he could ever carry out the same gesture. It's going to be a bumpy ride, but we are anxious to see where this train in headed, so buckle up folks!
McDaniel wrote the poem years after his son's diagnosis, as a cathartic exercise in an attempt to come to terms with his grief. He had no idea the accolades his poem would receive, or the notoriety he would. His son Shawn, now 14, has never been able to experience life normally, and he has no means of communication. His understanding of his surroundings limited, he is not responsive in any manner. Shawn's condition tore the family apart, as it so often does to families in similar situations. McDaniel and his wife separated about a year before the release of the poem. He also has two older children, Cindy and Paul whom he maintains a close relationship with, despite his fame.
Since going on the talk show circuit, McDaniel had taken a hiatus from publishing any of his writings, instead choosing to spend more time with his family. While his ex-wife is Shawn's primary care giver, McDaniel has spoken at length about his desire to be able to assist in more of the day to day operations relating to Shawn's health care. At this time, he has declined to comment on whether or not his fortune has allowed him to seek experimental treatments and testing to divulge more about Shawn's potential capabilities.
While he maintains that he has always been working on projects, both personally and professionally, but nothing had been released until yesterday. McDaniel had first taken to social media to tease fans about an upcoming, and controversial, project. In the tweet, he eluded to his desire to shed light on the "ugly" side of parenting children with severe disabilities. Later that day, during a press conference, McDaniel made the announcement that he would be working on a piece that will air on cable television. The bombshell came when he further explained what the topic of that piece would be: Earl Stetson. The man who is charged with killing his 2 year old son, who had a debilitating seizure disorder as well as a developmental disability. Stetson was quoted during his arrest explaining "I just wanted to end his pain."
This case has opened up a dialogue across the nation about the morality of this man, and the thousands of other parents like him, "who have had to watch their children suffer day in and day out." Similar to the debate years ago having to do with the elderly and terminally ill and assisted suicide, emotions run deep on this topic. There are strong cases to be heard on both sides, but mostly from politicians.
McDaniel aims to give those parents and families affected a voice. To tell Stetson's side of the story. To show the rest of the public just how painful "life" can be for children with such severe disabilities and conditions. Though controversial, as Earl is one of the most hated men in America at this time, McDaniel hopes that he can share Stetson's perspective and raise awareness to the daily struggle many families face silently: "I hope that we as a human race, can become more compassionate and understanding of what life, for so many families worldwide, is truly like and the toll it takes on them." McDaniel declined to comment on his personal connection to the subject matter and whether or not he could ever carry out the same gesture. It's going to be a bumpy ride, but we are anxious to see where this train in headed, so buckle up folks!