Beyond Words: A New Voice Emerges in "Out of My Mind"

Geoff Cook

Beyond Words: A New Voice Emerges in "Out of My Mind"

Have you ever felt trapped inside your own head, unable to share your thoughts with the world? For Melody Brooks, the brilliant protagonist of Disney+'s new movie "Out of My Mind," this is an everyday reality. Based on the beloved novel by Sharon M. Draper, "Out of My Mind" introduces us to Melody, a non-verbal girl with cerebral palsy whose sharp mind is often overlooked.

The film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, is a groundbreaking achievement. It stars Phoebe-Rae Taylor, an actress who, like Melody, uses a wheelchair and is non-verbal. This authentic casting choice brings an unparalleled depth to the story. Director Amber Sealy, in a recent interview with Deadline, highlighted the importance of showcasing Melody's inner world. The film employs a vibrant visual language to convey Melody's thoughts and emotions, transcending traditional dialogue.

This approach is truly revolutionary. It challenges viewers to rethink how we perceive intelligence and communication. "Out of My Mind" isn't just a story about disability; it's a powerful narrative about finding your voice, no matter the obstacles. It's about seeing beyond appearances and recognizing the rich inner life within everyone.

The movie promises to be a deeply moving and inspiring experience. It's a reminder that everyone deserves to be heard, and that true connection often goes far beyond spoken words.

Read more about the film's creation and impact in the full interview here: https://deadline.com/2025/06/out-of-my-mind-phoebe-rae-taylor-amber-sealey-interview-1236427035/

What does "Out of My Mind" make you reflect on regarding communication and connection? Share your thoughts below!

Sarah Tuberty

YES!! Oh my gosh!! I just watched the tailor for "Out of My Mind" and love that they cast Phoebe- Rae Taylor!! We are making strides in our representation in the media. I found the quote from the dad saying "she wants to call her friends and talk about boys" to be so powerful- especially when thinking of the transition of kids from children to tweens → teens → and adults and the agency for all of us to do what we want to do.

I remember from Occupational Therapy school a long discussion on building communication boards in our assistive technology class. We talked a lot about how more often than not people who use communication boards, similar to the one shown being used by Phoebe in the film, is created/set up by a helper and not the person themselves. This means that there is a huge area for bias- as the helper is consciously or subconsciously deciding what to use and how to organize it. We discussed the use of explicit language, and when does that -if at all- get introduced to the communication board? And for the helpers- do they really get to decide if explicit language is used? And that all of us have the right to use explicit language - and it just reminds me on how deeply we all need to work together to ensure that we all have access to the things we need and want!

Geoff Cook

Wow, well said.