Prisoners find inspiration without objectification

Jane Hash
photo by: Alternative Noise Productions

One goal of making Plain Jane The SHOCKUMENTARY is to provide audiences with a source of inspiration. Few people need and appreciate inspiration more than those who are spending a portion or the entirety of their lives incarcerated.

When the Executive Director of Re-Entry Bridge Network contacted me and asked if I would be interested in speaking to her students within the Richland Correctional Institution, I was shocked. How’s that for irony?

I had hoped this film would open up opportunities to do SHOCKUMENTARY Q&A presentations. Universities and disability related groups are where I imagined this objective would take me. Doing a presentation at a men’s prison was the furthest thing from my mind. After pondering this unique proposal though, the feelings of gratitude and excitement made it impossible for me to decline.

There are situations that I face daily, when someone tells me inappropriately that I am an inspiration. When able-bodied people tell me that I’m an inspiration simply because I am in a public place, that is an insult. Those perpetrators are objectifying me to make him/herself feel better.

Not once did I experience this sickening scenario while I was within the prison walls. Few populations have treated me with more respect and dignity than the Inmates at the Richland Correctional Institution for men. In fact, the only times I ever got nervous during the presentation is when the guards would pop into the room.

Until writing this post, right at this moment, I didn’t realize why the guards would randomly run into the room. It was the laughter. There is so much laughter in my life that I have taken it for granted. Every time the Inmates would roar with laughter, the guards would run in to see what was wrong. Then their observation would mesmerize them. The silly, shocked look on their faces was priceless.

Throughout the SHOCKUMENTARY Q&A presentation, we covered an array of thought provoking, intellectual, and fun topics. Of the numerous questions I was asked, none of them were about my disability. Not one! It would not have offended me. I’m just shocked once again! The Inmates were so appropriately inspired by the whole experience that they volunteered their limited resources and abundance of time to support a new project I am involved in.

It’s a good thing I wear a seatbelt all the time because this adventurous life I lead is rapidly gaining momentum!

The old Mansfield Reformatory that is situated next to Richland Correctional Facility

Jane says, "I don't have a degree in sitting on my ass."

Hello fans, friends, and supporters! Recently, I had LOADS of fun being interviewed by Melissa Both Heisler for The Empowerment Show. We covered lots of ground in a short time. 

Guaranteed to pique your interest in finding out more about Plain Jane The SHOCKUMENTARY! See complete interview below.

Epic News Story - WKYC and Kris Pickel

Dear amazing community,

Your unending support of Plain Jane The SHOCKUMENTARY is greatly appreciated.  Reaching out to the mainstream media was rather stressful though because I generally am disgusted by how people with disabilities are represented.  The risk of exploitation for the sake of ratings was a legitimate concern.  I carefully selected the local news personality whom I thought would represent me and this film with integrity and sent her the following email.

Dear Ms. Pickel, 

After reading your bio on the WKYC website, I feel you are the most appropriate person to help me share what I have to share. You seem fearless and compassionate which, are two qualities I highly respect.
I am a 39-year-old, lifelong resident of northeast Ohio. I also have a disability…a connective tissue disorder that causes me to be very small and fragile. A common misconception of people with disabilities is that we are exempt from all the joys and sorrows life has to offer. As if, our disabilities define who and what we are. While this may actually be true for some people, it is not my truth. 

Throughout my journey, navigating life from a wheelchair, people have repeatedly told me that I inspired them to overcome their fears and inhibitions. This happens more often as I get older and have more diverse life experiences. Hearing the numerous tales of how I inspired others to do what they once thought was impossible, inspired me and made me want to reach out to more people. 

With no budget, no story board, and no experience I found a Videographer and said, “Hey, let’s make a documentary about my life.” He looked at me like I was crazy and then agreed to work with me. That was over five years ago.

“Plain Jane The SHOCKUMENTARY” is now completed and will be released, directly to DVD, on December 2, 2013. At the risk of sounding egotistical, it turned out amazing! It is not your typical documentary. It moves very quickly. Artists in northeast Ohio do all the music on the soundtrack. Also, it is intended for adult audiences only due to nudity and delicate subject matter.

I would appreciate the opportunity to talk about this project with you and our community. If you would consider interviewing me, that would be fantastic. We can arrange it so that you can view the film prior to our interview as well. 

Thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.

Respectfully,
Jane Hash

If you have seen the story Kris Pickel put together, then you know I picked the right person!  She did a fantastic job and we couldn't be more happy.

Thank you Kris Pickel and WKYC News!

Plain Jane The SHOCKUMENTARY (Official Trailer)

Laugh Until You Pee Your Pants!

Dear Friends, Fans, and Supporters,

On this Thanksgiving Day, I am very grateful that we can finally share Plain Jane The SHOCKUMENTARY with you!  I am proud to say that I have accomplished more in my lifetime than was ever expected. However, this movie is by far my greatest and most challenging accomplishment.

My main goal for making this film is to inspire people of all abilities to overcome their perceived obstacles and truly embrace their authenticity.

I understand that within the disabled community, the word “inspiration” is often viewed as being condescending and rude.  Personally, I am not offended by it if it is used in the proper context.   Here are a couple examples.

• UNACCEPTABLE CONTEXT - “Aw, look at you buying bread! You are so brave and inspirational.”
• ACCEPTABLE CONTEXT – “I was always too afraid to get on the dance floor until I saw you at the club, dancing in your wheelchair.  You are really inspirational.”

Don’t worry. If you are not offended by the word “inspiration,” there are lots of other things in Plain Jane The SHOCKUMENTARY that will likely offend you AND make you laugh until you pee your pants…sometimes simultaneously.

Seriously though, this is indeed a very special Thanksgiving Day. I am deeply grateful for Tom Trainer, who made Plain Jane The SHOCKUMENTARY a work of art instead of just a documentary. He captured the true essence of who I am, in a way that words can’t describe.  He is the Director, Producer, Photographer, Videographer, Editor, Boom-Guy, Set Director, Narrator, Wardrobe Consultant, Trigger-Puller, Chauffeur, and Bodyguard.  Also, I am eternally grateful for the support of our vast community that spans across the country and beyond. We could not have reached this enormous goal without your support!

Thank you all,

Jane Hash aka Plain Jane

p.s. You should order a copy so you can tell me what you think.  I can't wait to hear!

Stay Tuned!

If you want up-to-date information about an upcoming, ground-breaking, shockumentary, with tons of social taboos and cult classic potential, then come back often!

Plain Jane the SHOCKUMENTARY