oprah show

February 13, 2000

Thanks Carol,

It just Keeps Getting Worse. It's amazing what they go through to get the

ratings. Sad, really sad.

HOW WILL THIS REDUCE THE STIGMA

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Terry Brown (in WI)

Oprah Show

Terry,

Here is the information the other parent received concerning the Oprah Show. I

left out identifying info for confidentiality. Please pass on.

Dear Ms. ******,

Thank you for responding to our search for bipolar children. At this

point, we are looking for people who are willing to tape their child during

a " rage " or " outburst " ... whether that be physical or verbal. The purpose

of this is to NOT just show the rages, but to give people an idea of WHAT

we are talking about. Our intention is to REMOVE the stigma. And, talk

with people who might want to share their story on television. This show

is called, " Explosive Children " ... and covers more than just bipolar

disorder. We are hoping to also include, ODD, OCD, and ADHD. Thank you

for your interest. If you would like to tell me your story, you can reach

me at 312-633-0808. If your child has been receiving treatment and no

longer has symptoms of his disorder, please let me know via email.

Best regards,

Olson

The Oprah Winfrey Show

Associate Producer

Dear

Ms. Olson,

I got your email from the Bipolar Parents email list on the internet. The

owners of the list said that you were looking for parents of children with

bipolar disorder for an upcoming show. My daughter, *****, 8 years old,

is bipolar. Both my husband and I would be interested in sharing our

thoughts and experiences with childhood bipolar.

Sincerely,

********

then I got this after talking to her on the phone.

******,

It was a pleasure talking with you this morning. Thank you for being so

candid about what your family goes through every day. So what would be

very helpful is:

1. Email me a photo of your family today ---

my email address is kolson@...

2. Try to tape ******* during a " rage " or outburst today and tomorrow

- If you could also do your best to narrate what is going on... I

realize that can't happen if you're trying

to calm down... but, if you could at least say something on

camera afterwards, that would be helpful.

For example: That was ***** having her first rage of the day.

That was a bad one... or that was a good one...

Then, if you could also tell us how you feel on camera... I am so

tired... We don't know what to do some days...

She scratches, kicks, bites, etc... Sometimes I have bruises... or,

last week she hit me in the mouth with a shoe

and it was bleeding...

Whatever you're feeling and a description of what ******'s behavior

is would be good.

Please have someone else tape ******** while she's going through a

rage (if someone else can) so that

we can see you trying to deal with *******. Or, if noone else can do

it, you can set the camera up on a wide shot and let it roll. Feel

free to tape as much as you want.

3. Have ******* draw pictures of what she feels like when she's in a

rage, or not feeling " normal " ...

Markers / crayons / pencil... whatever she likes to use. It could be

as simple as a sad face, or

maybe it's the medicine she takes, or whatever she thinks decribes how

she feels. Please send these

drawings w/ the tapes for SATURDAY DELIVERY.

4. Print out and sign form that is attached below... that gives us

permission to use the video on-air.

Include it with the fed-ex package of tapes.

5. Send everything out via Fed-ex... NO LATER THAN FRIDAY EVENING...

Send tapes and release form via FEDERAL EXPRESS... if you don't have a

drop box near you,

you can call 800-go-fedex and they will help you.

Send to:

Olson

The Oprah Winfrey Show

110 N. Carpenter Street

Chicago, IL 60607

312-633-0808

Fed-Ex Account number: 1210 0791 6

Thank you so much for participating in this! Please call me if you have

any questions. The form is attached below.

(See attached file: home video approval letter.doc)

Talk with you soon,

A. Olson

Associate Producer

The Oprah Winfrey Show

kolson@...

312-633-0808

P.S. - Here are some tips that might help... but, don't worry about them

if you don't have time to make sure everything is " just right " .

We would like to chronicle a day in the life of a parent coping with a

child suffering from bipolar disorder, OCD, ODD or ADHD and would like to

invite you to help bring these problems to light.

We are asking parents to capture on videotape, some of their children's

most extreme behavior ? biting, kicking, screaming, temper tantrums,

anything related to you child's particular problem.

IF PRIVACY IS AN ISSUE, WE CAN BLUR OR COVER THE FACE OF YOU CHILD. Our

objective is to let America know what you have to go through and to remove

the stigma.

Here are some general tips for shooting video:

1. Make sure there are plenty of lights on.

2. Make sure there is no big, bright light source behind the subject.

3. Make sure the time and date function is off on the camera

4. Make sure the radio, TV and other sources of noise are off.

5. Zoom the camera out all the way and physically move the camera close

to the subject. Remember: the

microphone is built-in to the camera?it needs to be no farther

than 6-8 feet away from the person talking

6. Tape as long as necessary.

7. We can transfer any format.

---------------------------

February 13, 2000

As I recall, Dr. is located in Chicago. Hopefully, with her presence we

will have the kind of voice we need !!

jim in san diego

jjmcf@...

October 19, 2001

In a message dated 10/19/01 5:12:14 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

ICANFIELD@... writes:

<< She was susprised that I

had done more research on it . I guess she'll be coming around some

more , I don't mind . If we could help each other out , even

listening to each other would be great . Everyone could use an ear .

Thanks for listening and in advance if you share a scoop of the Oprah

Show .

Irma, 13,DS/ASD. >>

Irma, that's great she feels the need to talk now. Too bad it wasn't before

the job, when you had more time to do it huh?

Gail :-)

October 19, 2001

In a message dated 10/19/01 8:52:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

outerspace@... writes:

> Irma

> I did not see the segment on Autism, but I heard it lasted no longer than 5

> minutes.

> The show focused on a boy who had a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy and his

> poems

> (heartsongs). I watched the first half and then I had to take to work.

> Kathy

>

Yea Kathy. That's the part I saw. I guess I don't have the patience for

stuff. It was very heartwarming, but when I didn't see anything on autism,

I shut it off, assuming the usual--that the show got bumped. SO I MISSED

IT!!!!! Sheesh!!! We had a new baby Duffey in the fam (Duff's brother's

2nd---number 25 grandchild), so I was busy cooking a dinner for mom and

dad----something I do for all family and close friends who have a new baby.

NEW Baby a is gorgeous!!!! GOD, it felt good to hold a newborn

again!!!!!!! And then give her back....LOLOLOL

So what'd I miss????

Donna

October 19, 2001

In a message dated 10/19/01 8:12:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

ICANFIELD@... writes:

> I could not believe what I was hearing

> but I had to be there as a friend

Yep, you did a good deed Irma!!!! That's important!!!

Donna

October 19, 2001

In a message dated 10/19/01 5:59:19 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

duffey48@... writes:

<< GOD, it felt good to hold a newborn

again!!!!!!! And then give her back....LOLOLOL

So what'd I miss????

Donna >>

LOL Donna! You are a riot! LOL

Gail :-)

October 19, 2001

Well, if you blinked you missed the segment on Autism. i thought for a long

time they had changed the airdate and almost switched the channel. Just my

opinion but I thought it a tad unfair to devote 99% of the show to

incredibly articulate and verbal " handicapped " people who could provide all

the warm fuzzies Oprah's audience needs. Autism seemed scarcely more serious

than the tragedy of being an oversized ex basketball player with a zillion

dollars. I don't think Oprah is ready for Autism. Then again I may be

overreacting. Probably am. Sherry, mom of unfuzzy, inarticulate,12 yo

October 19, 2001

Hi everyone that caught the show . Please update me on the Oprah

show , I forgot to program it . I was too busy, with believe or not

with my neighbor (Phil's mom ) , I was shocked . When had

arrived , she had pulled in and came to speak to me . She needed an

ear , how could I turn her away . She had just returned from an IEP

meeting , it was not a good one for her . The same school staff and

her where in different terms . I could not believe what I was hearing

but I had to be there as a friend . These were the same school staff

personnal I had my meeting with , of course mine was great . I did

not say much to her as her son has a different situation , all I said

was I hope you find answers for Phil . Then we discussed about

and about the Autistic Spectrum disorder . She was susprised that I

had done more research on it . I guess she'll be coming around some

more , I don't mind . If we could help each other out , even

listening to each other would be great . Everyone could use an ear .

Thanks for listening and in advance if you share a scoop of the Oprah

Show .

Irma, 13,DS/ASD.

October 19, 2001

Irma

I did not see the segment on Autism, but I heard it lasted no longer than 5

minutes.

The show focused on a boy who had a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy and his

poems

(heartsongs). I watched the first half and then I had to take to work.

Kathy

Re: Oprah show