So Hanson hasn't done anything? Read this…….
What steph has generally doesn't cause mental retardation. It's not typical of the syndrome. What it does cause is facial, and cardiac deformities, in stephs case, a hole in her heart, and malformation of her face around her eyes and nose (yes, she looks a little funny), and really low muscle tone.... She's big time floppy. For some reason, though, she never really developed normally, mentally. It's weird, she's not retarded, she learns, but she doesn't conceptualize...For example, she was taught the alphabet, and how to put letters together to make sounds, but couldn't figure out that those sounds represented language...it just meant nothing to her. She didn't understand the concept of want, or need, or desire, or even dislike...just played with, ate, listened too, wore, whatever she was told...never fought with her sister, because what's to fight over, if you don't have any idea of a preference?
She rarely spoke, one because her speech was difficult to understand, and two, because she had nothing to say.... given a choice of sitting staring at the wall, and playing with toys, she'd probably just stare at the wall, because it didn't involve any active participation....she also had no short term memory...she once left school in her socks and shirtsleeves, in February, snow, ice, the works, and got frostbite on her feet, and never even remembered that she had a coat and boots, or figured out that she should put them on, and wouldn't be cold anymore....and she didn't mention her feet hurt, because, I assume, it didn't matter/register that something was wrong.
Needless to say, she couldn't be left alone at all, and spent every waking moment with me, or someone else...the morning she came running downstairs, jumped out of bed and booked it downstairs because she heard "MMMBop" on TV, and wanted to see it, was a major milestone in our house…first thing she'd ever, ever, ever, showed an interest in. I told you some of the rest, she asked for braids....30 bucks an hour to put those things in, but she got her braids...and then Zac took 'em out, well...so did she....
As I said, she started singing, this child who never spoke, and I mentioned that the words were in the CD.... and she grasped the concept of reading....these words are what they are singing? Oh my god... I told you about the bike, and for a kid with really low muscle tone, riding a bike is hard work. But if the hansons ride bikes, so does steph... she's just blossomed, her functional level has come up from 26 months, to nearly six years...just a little behind her age group.
She chooses her own clothes (guess who she dresses like?) her own music, (again....) and her bedroom looks like the Zachary Hanson fanclub headquarters. She may be a bit obsessive, right now the only thing she really cares about is Hanson, Zac in particular, but its spreading to other things, and I'm not about to complain. If she wants to dress like him, fine. listen to him? alright. We have about three hours worth of Hanson appearances on video tape, if she wants to watch it every night, whatever...I'll spoil her for a while, she's gone eight years without liking anything, I'm inclined to indulge her...she fights with her sister now (thanks, boys.....), and goes out to play like the rest of the neighborhood kids. She no longer needs constant supervision. Needless to say, her doctors/teachers/therapists are mightily impressed, and they too give credit where it's due.... one of them said to me, "I hope some day you can tell these kids what they've done…it could brighten up a dark day, someday". So I guess that's what I'm trying to do here...we don't want any kind of...I've been accused of looking for publicity, or attention...I don't think we need any kind of personal reply, or anything like that, I'd just like to know that maybe someone told them what they did.
I'm well aware that they really didn't do anything, except make their music...but something about them touched a child nothing could touch, and she's living now, where she was existing before, and for us, its a miracle. These boys have a very big place in my heart, now, and I'd like to think they could know about this, and know how grateful we are. (is this just a really long, involved way of saying "thanks, you guys." ?) They have a big spot in our prayers, and we wish them all the best. (My "mom" genes kicked in a while ago...I keep wanting to go "is everybody well? is this still fun? sleeping/eating, etc...right? Like, they don't already have a mom and dad right there, right?) Anyway, thanks for your time, again, and if this gets passed along, I hope they'll realize what a difference they made. www.membersaol.com/nadaace/hanson.html
A letter from Taylor Hanson
I don't usually write on these message boards or in guestbooks or wherever, but this is a little out of hand. What's your problem? We don't shop at Wal-Mart. And if we would, what's the big deal? On the MTV Movie Awards, I said that our mom dropped us off on the way to Wal-Mart (personal note: I know that should be K-Mart but that's not the point) because it was a line.
I'm not dyslexic either. That was really embarrassing. I was nervous, and I'd appreciate it if you'd all shut up about it. Why do you people hate us? I mean, it's fine if you do, but please hate us for our music, not our looks. We like the way we look or else we'd change it. Have you heard all of our music? If not, then please try to listen to it. There are a lot of people who hate MMMBop and love our other songs. We're not gay so stop saying that. If you hate us, get decent reasons to hate us. To all our fans, I'm going to repeat mainly what I said to the haters. Please like us for our music and not our looks.
Later Tay
P.S. Don't make fun of Zac please. He's just a little kid. If you want to dis me and Ike, fine, do it. But Zac hasn't done anything wrong. He's hyper, sure, but weren't all kids at that age? I was. He's not fat. He's not even overweight. It's the shape of his body and in a year he'll grow out of it.
Thank you
Taylor Hanson
hansonfans@hansonline.com
Review of "Middle of Nowhere" from Groove Planet magazine
Any group consisting of family members under the age of 18 is going to be compared to the Jackson Five. In the case of Hanson, however, it's entirely appropriate, because unlike countless other kid groups, Hanson -- like the legendary Motown band before them -- are extremely talented. Exquisite harmony from Isaac (age 16) and Zac (age 11) perfectly complement the lead vocals of Taylor (age 13), whose voice even resembles the young Michael Jackson, with its unshakable confidence and purity that most singers don't develop until they're at least, say, 20.
It's a little hard to fathom that the pre-puberty Zac actually plays drums on the album -- there are lots of studio musicians credited -- but the songwriting credits clearly show that the three brothers are perfectly capable of writing their own songs, including the smash single "MMMBop."
There's more to this band than sunny, white-bread pop, however, as evidenced by the very funky "Look at You." This family clearly has the goods. You have every reason to be skeptical of this pre-teen sensation, but your heart must be a very cold place if you don't find yourself tapping along.
Www.grooveplanet.com/
A letter to Hanson Haters
The issue is NOT whether or not you like the band Hanson. Whether you dislike Hanson because you truly do not like their style of music, OR are just playing some sort of public-school like game of "Peer Pressure" follow the leader is not my concern. Those opinions are your own, and no matter what method you came about getting them, they will stay your own.
The real issue at hand, is RESPECT, or more appropriately, the general publics lack of it.
People said that they looked like girls, people laughed at their high voices in an industry dominated by adult acts, but lets face facts. Their CD was released over 5 months ago, and if people aren't willing to let go of these silly criticisms by now, then they need to take a serious look at themselves.
Believe it or not, Isaac, Zachary and Taylor Hanson are people. Just because they have been thrust into the public spotlight, and made larger than life by the media, does not take away from the unbelievable fact that they, like everyone else, deserve respect. A title like "Pop Star" or "Teen Idols" does not somehow make them invincible to the harshness and uncalled for rudeness among both people in the general public, and in extreme cases the media as well.
If you don't believe the above statements, I urge you to get a copy of the first Game of the 1997 World Series. In the words of the announcer, Hanson was there to "Honor America", with the singing of the National Anthem. No sooner did Hanson step onto the field, did the crowd start to boo and heckle them. A crowd of most prominently 20-50 year old individuals. This is the age group that the children of America look up to and look for guidance and support, and what are they demonstrating to these kids.
Nothing.
They are demonstrating that they can heckle a band of kids all under the age of 18, who have done nothing but fulfill their dreams of becoming famous. They are going against every stereotype that children of today are being taught. "Become successful and famous little Johnny", the parents say, "so you can grow up and be respected by those who are around you for achieving your goals..."
What sort of message is the ignorance shown at the World Series teaching them? "Be successful and famous little Johnny... so you can be hissed and booed by a group of people that know nothing about you, and have no respect for what you have or will achieve?
Look into the 11, 14 and 16 year old Eyes of Hanson during the heckles and the boo's and tell me you don't see pain, hurt or just plain confusion. They have fulfilled their wildest dreams, and have had songs by them be number one all over the entire globe, but are they respected? No.
They are mocked. But even more sadly, the are mocked by those who know nothing about them. They are hated by people on the basis of silly criticisms and not on knowledge.
The majority of people that I have come across dislike Hanson simply because they think that it is the cool thing to do, the cool thing to be. It is never cool to Hate, especially with no reason or provocation. Hate is a terrible word, and a terrible frame of mind, and should never be applied where knowledge is nonexistent. To hate Hanson because of silly reasons like their long hair or they age is silly to say the least.
The bottom line to all of this I guess is that no matter what your personal feelings about Hanson are, no matter what you think about their music, at least have the decency to respect them as individuals for what they have achieved. They are three kids, all under the age of 20, who write, play and sing their own music, and have had songs be #1 all over the globe. That sort of accolade is not something to brush off or make fun of, it is something to RESPECT and admire in a group so young.
The next time someone asks you what you think about Hanson, honestly stop and consider what you are saying, why you are saying it, and who you are hurting.
You may find your answer has changed.
