Panel Spotlight: Dad With Visual Disabilty Hosting Panel @ Bronycon

Matthew Palumbo was born with a degenerative eye condition. As the years have gone on, his vision has continued to deteriorate, robbing him of the use of one eye. This has left him unable to pursue many tasks that he previously enjoyed. He bonds with his seven-year-old son, Ethan, through watching My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic together, the bright colors of which are still traceable to his good eye.

Palumbo wants to spend the last BronyCon he may attend with good vision setting up a panel to educate and spread awareness of disabilities and how My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and the fan community can and has helped.

To that end, he is running a panel titled "Coping With Disabilities Through Pony" this year at the largest Brony convention in the United States, BronyCon. They are currently holding a fundraiser so that the panel can be a success. The mission of the panel is “…to share how the cartoon My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and its fans have helped to improve the lives of individuals with special needs.”

The panel will also feature such guests as Meredith Sims, writer of Silly Filly Studios’ acclaimed short fan film “Snowdrop” (as well as voice for the titular character), Rachel Merryfield, a software developer working on Braillemon (a fan-developed version of the original Pokémon Red and Blue video game, re-worked for visually impaired players), his son Ethan and more. Here's the official panel description from the Bronycon website:

MLP: FiM helps kids & grown-ups be better people. Did you know it also helps people with disabilities and special needs? Come find out how as we share inspirational stories from bronies & speak with: the writer and voice talent of fan film "Snowdrop"; ,a father and his supportive young son; a video game developer who aspires to make technology accessible to all; and an educator of tomorrow who has first hand experience with how powerful MLP has been in giving individuals with disabilities & special needs a way to cope & bond with the world in which we all live in. We'll explore how My Little Pony and its fans have used the show to bond with others and cope with all sorts of disabilities and special needs through the power of Ponies!
Location: Moon Hall
Track: Community
Start Time: 8/2/2014 1:45 pm
End Time: 8/2/2014 2:45 pm

You can also get more information on the panel, its panelists, and plans for a free e-book and audiobook at http://copingwithpony.weebly.com