“Are you in a position to write a story?”
Danica McKellar, with her one-mile-wide smile, sat in front of her Zoom screen and addressed the audience extremely cheerfully.The faces on the screens gave him back his smile. Some were reached through the stars.Others talked about birthday gifts, trucks sold and what it looked like as “a princess.”
McKellar’s audience is usually primary school-age children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.All were combined through Lollipop Theatre Network.
Since the launch of its first show at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Care in 2002, Lollipop Theatre Network has featured tons and lots of movies to young people in hospitals in more than 26 states and across Canada.The concept is to deliver the magic of cinema to young people in hospitals who suffer from severe ailments and who go to the cinema.They have the opportunity to watch the newest movies, eat popcorn and meet stars.
Even with the pandemic, The Lollipop Theatre Network remained unstoppable and continued its programming.Since March, more than 70 actors, animation artists, musicians and magicians have visited virtually pediatric patients and their families.With their Storytime program, celebrities such as Eva Chen, Zoe Saldana, Zendaya and McKellar have read stories to young people in hospitals and at home.
“It’s a wonderful gift for those little kids who have a lot to do,” says McKellar, who read one of his e-books, Ten Magic Butterflies, about flowers they aspire to fly.”But one of the many glorious things of the young is that they must be at the right time.I read them an e-book and they’re excited to turn the flowers into butterflies.They’re not thinking about the next drug or the next procedure.They’re in the moment with me, at the moment with them.And it’s a beautiful thing to see. Adults may be very knowledgeable.»
McKellar is an exceptional multiphenate. She is the actress who is about to film her fourteenth distinctive film and is also mathematician Obi Wan Kenobi.McKellar not only co-wrote a mathematical physics theorem (Chayes-McKellar-Winn’s theorem) at UCLA, but spoke to a congressional committee about inspiring women to examine STEM issues and the importance of women in mathematics.In a sense, she does what Lin-Manuel Miranda did for the history of America in Hamilton.McKellar’s project to share the joy of mathematics with young people of all ages and get acquainted with the subject in a laugh, a laugh and an attractive way.
Bestseller McKellar wrote his first book, Math Doesn’t Suck, in 2006 and published his 10th, The Times Machine !, last June. “One of the most productive tactics for having a sharp brain is to get smart in math …” Your long run will thank you, “he told the children.” They will be better prepared for higher paying jobs. Math is your friend and it will help you be tougher and make your dreams come true, whatever they may be. “She later explained that in college, women are very likely to get discouraged through math. With an obstacle, like a complicated paycheck or a complicated teacher, you can completely lose your passion. “Girls are convinced they don’t have a position in math,” she explains.
During the session, the youth and McKellar teamed up on topics such as Project Mc2, where McKellar played the aft quail, his favorite dish (almond butter sandwiches and grape jam) and his son’s over fondness for garbage trucks when he was young (she and his son).Draco used to stick to them in the car so he would simply rejoice at seeing the garbage thrown in the truck.)
After listening to Ten Magic Butterflies, a little woman recounted how one week she put a butterfly bandage on her clothes. One way or another, the message of hope from Ten Magical Butterflies seemed to resonate even more. “Magic surrounds us and takes many forms,” McKellar read to the children. And “both, one and both nights, you grow up with one and both dreams.”
Jeryl Brunner: When did you realize that math would be such an important component of your life?
Danica McKellar: When I was a new student at UCLA, the first mathematical elegance I took was a multivariate calculus course.The idea that I was going to be a film student and math in college would be too difficult.I went to campus, other people called me “Winnie Cooper” and they asked me, “Are you that woman from the TV series The Wonder Years?”
I studied a lot halfway, but it was very difficult.I was convinced he had failed. The instructor posted the grades without calling and they gave me a 22.Of an elegance of 163, the most productive score was 22 out of 40.Only one user was given. Two other people scored 15 and the other nine or less.This has never happened to me before. I was surprised. The next day, someone patted me on the shoulder, and they asked me about The Wonder Years.Only this time the consultation was, “Aren’t you that woman who was 22?”It was such a symbolic moment for me to realize that I could redefine myself.I was beyond Winnie Cooper.Me felt like a mathematical rock star and it’s become my thing.I even started teaching private lessons. So I went from “that woman on TV” to “that woman who helped me do the math.”I ended up getting a degree in math. I love feeling so smart, alert and in control.And for a former actress, it’s really important.
Brunner: I read that math is simple and that you’re intimidated first.
McKellar: I saw mathematics as a challenge.Then, in 7th grade, it did not make sense to me and I have become surely terrified of it.It was like a foreign language. I felt excluded, stupid and I did not think it was for me.I felt actually bad about myself because of it.Then in the middle of the year, our instructor was replaced and mathematics suddenly made sense.When you’re a child, you never believe that the instructor may just be the explanation why you do not understand.It was revealing to realize precisely the same topic that surely disappointed me.I suddenly felt capable. I thought, wait a minute.So it wasn’t me!
Brunner: What helped you in this period?
McKellar: Since April, I’ve been making videos about school at house and posting them on my Instagram.I’ve been coaching my son at house since he in kindergarten and I percentage tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way.I’m speaking about cuddly school. For ten minutes, we huddle on the sofa with a book.What we are dealing with is unprecedented.We do not know what is coming. And I need to assistance as many other folks as possible.
If I wasn’t a mom, I think I’d have a hard time dealing with the pandemic, when you’re a mother, you’re a warrior and you do anything for your son, you think I have to stay strong because I have this task to take care of my son gives you strength and purpose, that’s all.
Jeryl Brunner describes other people guided through a deep and unwavering journey through what they do.Following their joy encourages them to think out of the box, take dangers and
Jeryl Brunner describes other people guided through a deep and unwavering journey through what they do.Following their joy encourages them to think out of the box, take dangers and succeed.His editorial credits come with O, Oprah magazine, Parade, The Wall Street Journal, InStyle, Travel Leisure and more.It’s also My City’s, My New York: famous New Yorkers share their favorite places where many prominent New Yorkers, plus Tina Fey, Anthony Malkin, Matthew Broderick and Will Shortz, share their favorite places and activities.It has been shown on television and radio. Follow Jeryl on Twitter, @jerylbrunner or stop by your website, jerylbrunner.com