End of the week endless ramblings

Wonder film adaptation in the works:

“Lionsgate has hired Jack Thorne to adapt Wonder, based on author R.J. Palacio’s best-selling debut novel. David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman are producing via their Mandeville Films banner. The novel tells the heartwarming, inspiring, and very often hysterical adventures of 10-year-old Auggie Pullman, born with a facial deformity, as he enters a mainstream school for the first time and teaches everyone around him that we are more than meets the eye. There were reports that John August was going to write the script, but that did not happen.The novel has been on the New York Times Bestseller list since its publication in February 2012. Thorne is a BAFTA-winning screenwriter and playwright, whose credits include The Scouting Book For Boys, A Long Way Down, Blood Red Road, Mortimer Green, and the UK TV shows This Is England and Skins. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group’s President of Production Erik Feig and Gillian Bohrer will oversee the project for the studio. Thorne is represented by WME and Casarotto Ramsay & Associates.” – Deadline.com

I’m tremendously interested to see how this all pans out.  I think it will be great if it all comes to fruition (which in Hollywood, is not at all guaranteed).  It’s funny, my first inclination when seeing it this morning was “well, they can’t fake Treacher Collins, they’re going to actually have to find an actor who has it!” Hollywood’s history of portraying characters with disabilities and medical conditions is rather pathetic. More often than not, it’s easier to have a non-disabled actor fake the disability than have an actor with a disability actually perform the role.  But barring some creative makeup, I’m wondering if this will finally be the time where an actor with a facial difference will actually get hired.  We can hope.

Sturge-Weber syndrome gene found:

“After 25 years of searching, we finally understand the genetic cause of Sturge-Weber syndrome. We are excited to lead and support continued research to translate this science into new treatment approaches for patients…The discovery of this genetic mutation shows what can happen when researchers, patient organizations and government agencies work together toward a common goal.” – The Sturge-Weber Foundation

Is it weird that I’m excited for them, although I actually don’t know anyone who has Sturge-Weber?  I feel an excitement for them, though.  Craniofacial conditions affecting relatively few people are not the kind of research projects that will generate splashy headlines and cures. Researchers really have to do it for the interest in it and a certain amount of caring about people affected.  I really, really hope that day comes soon for Moebius syndrome.  I had a researcher tell me a few years ago she was confident it would come, I’m holding her to that!

It’s strange, my desire to know.  Irrational, really.  I am reasonably sure from anecdotal evidence that I won’t pass Moebius on children, if I were to have them, I just want to know for the pure satisfaction of it.  I’m a bit of a geek in many ways, and I think that plays into this.  More than anything, I’m just curious.  Whether it’s genetic, not genetic, environmental… it would just be satisfying to know.

Assorted miscellany:

Requisite my dog is really cute and helpful photo 

Having some kind of annoying pain issues right now, but it’s hard to be miserable for long with this face looking up at you.  Going to the doctor next week, it’s sad when you start hoping for referrals to specialists!  Such is life with a disability, I guess.