VOA – CONNECT
EPISODE # 151
AIR DATE 12 04 2020
TRANSCRIPT
OPEN ((VO/NAT))
((Banner))
Pandemic Travel
((SOT))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
Although most of the people in the plane were
following the rules and wearing their masks,
but when the time came to exit the airplane, the social
distancing went out of the window.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Women’s Business
((SOT))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
Like one day, I'm going to get my contractor's license
so I can hire women and they can make more money,
you know, and that's what I did.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Inclusive Acting
((SOT))
((Keely Cat-Wells, Founder, C Talent))
I decided to start C Talent and saw that the
accessibility and people with disabilities are so
underrepresented.
((Open Animation))
BLOCK A
((PKG)) INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL DURING A
PANDEMIC
((TRT: 9:58))
((Banner: Traveling With Caution))
((Reporter/Camera: Deepak Dobhal))
((Map: Washington DC; Mumbai; Aurangabad))
((Main character: 1 male))
((NATS))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
My name is Deepak
Dobhal. I am a reporter with this show Connect. You
may have seen some of my stories, but not me.
In Connect, reporter is always behind the camera,
but we are breaking this rule for this particular story.
Actually, I want to show
you what it’s like for someone in the US to travel
internationally during a pandemic. My mother lives in
India and she’s not well. So, in four days, I will be
traveling from Washington, D.C., to a city called
Aurangabad in India. This was not an easy decision.
Every time you step out of your house, your chances
of getting COVID increase and I have to travel 18
hours by plane and then eight hours of cab ride
plus time at
the airport. There are many things that I have to do
before I fly. So, let’s get going.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((BANNER: Wednesday))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
The first thing that I want to do is to take COVID test.
((NATS: CVS Phone Message))
Thank you for calling CVS pharmacy.
To schedule a test, please visit www.CVS.com/corona
virus.
Appointments must be made online as we cannot
accept them over the phone at this time.
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
We have an appointment for tomorrow.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((BANNER: Thursday))
((GPS Audio))
Your destination is on the right.
((CVS Pharmacist))
In the bag, you are going to see a test kit.
((CVS Pharmacist))
That one, yeah.
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
This one? Should I open it?
Okay, let’s do it.
Okay. Thank you very much.
((CVS Pharmacist))
You’re welcome. Take care.
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
Bye.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((BANNER: Friday))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
Generally,
when I go to India, I spend time buying gifts for family
and friends.
But this time, the priorities were different. So, when a
colleague of mine offered me a mask, which is
considered much more safe than the one I had,
picking it up seemed better use of my time.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
Definitely, it feels much more safe.
I hope all these things work.
All this is not just for my own safety. It’s also to
protect people I will come in contact with, including
my mother.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((BANNER: Saturday))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
I just got a text from CVS and my test results are
ready. It has been less than 48 hours, so not bad.
Let’s check.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
You have negative COVID-
19 test result. So, that’s good.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((BANNER: Sunday))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
It’s Sunday morning. I have to leave within a few
hours and I’ve
just received an email from Indian government which
says that my application for exemption from institution
al quarantine has been rejected
and the reason is that no authentic RT-
PCR lab test report is attached. I did attach a report
which I got from CVS.
They are saying ‘no authentic report.’ So, I guess,
the CVS report I sent them, they didn’t find it
authentic. Maybe they don’t know what CVS is.
((Popup Banner: CVS is a large, US pharmacy
chain))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
This is another layer of uncertainty when you’re going
from one country to another
and there’s no phone number given.
There’s nothing here where I can find what to do.
At this point, there’s nothing I can do. So, I’m going
ahead with my plans. I will try to convince Indian
authorities that I have a genuine test report and I
hope that they will let me go to my final destination.
But it’s all up in the air at this moment.
Also, it’s not just this one thing. It’s international
travel and during these
COVID times, there are so many things that can go
wrong.
So, there is no point stressing. I have done my part
and we’ll see what happens.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
The airlines is giving me the option to change my first
domestic flight because they’re saying that it’s fairly
full. Although I don’t want to travel with too many
people, but I have a connecting flight, so I don’t think
that this option will work for me.
This is new. The Indian government now requires
passengers traveling from the US to give their contact
details. I think it’s for contact tracing purposes in
case of any COVID exposure.
I think United was right. Although the airport is mostly
empty, this plane seems full.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((United Airlines Announcement))
Masks are required to be worn for the entire duration
of the flight covering both mouth and nose entirely.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
The first leg of my journey
is over. It was very concerning to sit in a small
packed plane. Thankfully, it was a short flight.
I hope my second flight to Mumbai is not so full. It’s a
15-hour flight.
((NATS))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
Another form. All passengers have to fill Indian
government’s self-reporting form.
Without it, you can’t board the plane. It has questions
about pre-
existing medical conditons, symptoms related to
COVID, plus the form says that you agree to follow all
the procedures. Otherwise
legal actions can be taken against you.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
There are more people in the plane than I was
expecting.
But, at least, the middle seat is empty for most of the
passengers and some people are really prepared.
Although most of the people in the plane were
following the rules and wearing their masks,
but when the time came to exit the airplane, the social
distancing went out of the window.
Now, the biggest thing is to convince Indian
authorities that my COVID test result
is authentic and I should be exempted from the seven
days mandatory quarantine before going to my
final destination.
After passing through immigration and
customs, this is where the officials are checking
COVID-related papers. Let’s see what happens.
Strangely, no one here asked me
about my COVID test results or mentioned that I have
to quarantine because my application for
exemption was rejected. Instead, I have been
handed this paper. It has
all my contact details and the
officials here have told me that I have to get it
stamped at the city office in Aurangabad, the
city I’m going to,
and then quarantine at home.
((NATS in Hindi / English translation))
((On the phone with Aurangabad collector’s
office))
I’m calling from Aurangabad collector office.
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
From Aurangabad collector office, okay. What’s your
name?
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
As I was leaving the airport, I got a call from the city
office where I was supposed to go and get the paper
stamped. Once I
explained to them that I have a valid negative test
report,
the official asked me to just send the report to him
and he would contact me if there’s a need.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
So far so good. Now it’s seven to eight hours journey
home. The long trip is almost over and now I can just
focus on my mother.
((NATS))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Creating Equality
((SOT))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
So, I was just young and I was a woman and I just
generally got paid much less than other people. Like I
was going in people's houses, doing the whole entire
job, was making 14 dollars an hour and the foremen
were making 25, 30 dollars an hour.
((NATS))
BREAK ONE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK B
((PKG)) FEMALE PAINTER
((TRT: 04:56))
((Banner: Women in Business))
((Reporter/Camera: Genia Dulot))
((Adapted by: Philip Alexiou))
((Map: San Diego, California))
((Main character: 1 female))
((Sub character: 1 female))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
I was painting at a high rise, not so great apartment
building, actually right in this neighborhood. And I
was working alongside this cleaner and she was
crying. She was like, “How are you able to do this?”
Because we make a lot more money than cleaners.
“You know, it's a man's job. I wish I could do this and
all these things.” And I was really moved by that.
And I was like one day like I'm going to get my
contractor's license so I can hire women and they can
make more money, you know. And so, that's what I
did.
((NATS))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
I was in contractor license school and I was like nine
months pregnant. I was the only woman and I was
like wobbling in there. I was really uncomfortable.
((NATS: Kelly Forbes and her daughter))
Can you wave at the camera? Hi.
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
It's very masculine. It's very sexist. It's very ageist as
well. So, I was just young, and I was a woman, and I
just generally got paid much less than other people.
Like I was going in people's houses, doing the whole
entire job, was making 14 dollars an hour and the
foremen were making 25, 30 dollars an hour.
((NATS))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
Well, I created my own company when I was 16 years
old as soon as I learned to paint a room. I just came
up with the name Love Painting Company because I
love love and I love the word love. But I started a
physical, real like live company that has a contractor's
license and all of those things in 2017.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((NATS: Kelly Forbes and Jennifer, Employee,
LOVE Painting Company))
I'm also impressed that you know that painters wear
white.
Well, a lot of it's to hide like plaster and product
instead
Yep.
of landing on the clothes.
Yep.
and white matches everything and so any paint
splattered
Yep.
on your clothes it matches.
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
You’re carrying like five gallon [19 liter] buckets of
paint. They're extremely heavy. You're carrying
heavy ladders, going up and down and up and down
all day. So, it's pretty physically demanding.
((NATS))
((Jennifer, Employee, LOVE Painting Company))
So, I think that's a common misconception in society
that like women can't do these like hands-on jobs that
might take physical labor. And I think that, you know,
women can do anything a man can do.
((NATS))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
Like, we hire men as well. It’s not a sexist thing or
people who identify as somewhere in between both
genders, like we're very encompassing. But also, a
lot of women, people really trust them. And they
come in their home and they feel people with families
or say like an older woman who lives alone, like they
feel very comfortable with that. And women are really
great painters as well.
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
It's just, it's a feminine process in general. You're like
coating unique things. It's not like carpentry where
like carpentry you're cutting wood and it's like a
measurement and it's like a straightness and it's very
exact, whereas like, so it’s like a very feminine, like
finesse process to paint things. And then there's like
the intuitive color consultation side.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
This yellow and this purple will not be in the home on
the walls. It's a palette for them to work off of, to add
art and accents, throw pillows, blankets, stuff like that.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Courtesy: LOVE Painting Company))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
And I was just there one day by myself like working
and I was like I'm just going to raise the pay for
everyone to 20 dollars an hour. When you walk onto
the company, you're going to make 20 dollars an hour
((Courtesy: LOVE Painting Company))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
because anything less than that is a joke in San
Diego. If people don't want to pay that, then that's
fine. They can work with other people that take
advantage of people and pay less but that's not what
we're going to do.
((NATS: Kelly Forbes and her daughter))
Going to make you a little fort right over here. Get in
your secret fort. We're not going to tell anyone you're
in there. She loves painting. Maya, do you like
painting? She loves painting.
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
There are weeks when I have projects where I feel
like I don't see her. And then I'm on my phone a lot or
those things. But I hope that what she sees is like
anything that she wants to do like she can do it, you
know. And I think kids mirror what they see more
than anything. So, I hope that that's what she sees,
you know.
((NATS/MUSIC))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Breaking Barriers
((SOT))
((Keely Cat-Wells, Founder, C Talent))
If they just gave me a high-waisted bikini, you
wouldn’t be able to see it. So, they could’ve made a
very small adaptation, but they just chose not to.
Why do you think Chadwick Boseman kept his
disability a secret for four years? How different would
his career be if he told people he had cancer?
BREAK TWO
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK C
((PKG)) C TALENT
((TRT: 05:48))
((Banner: Actors with Disabilities))
((Reporter/Camera: Genia Dulot))
((Map: Los Angeles, California))
((Main characters: 1 female))
((Sub characters: 2 female; 2 male))
((NATS /SOTs))
((Video clip / Courtesy: ABC Studios-20th
Century Fox Television-Silver and Gold
Productions-The Detective Agency /
"Speechless"))
Are you from California? I love your accent.
I am totally from Cali.
So, in England that’s like exotic and sexy?
Very much so.
((Keely Cat-Wells, Founder, C Talent))
I auditioned for a big role. I found out that I booked
that big role which was just incredible. And I went to
a fitting and they asked me to try on a bikini and
obviously I have an invisible disability until you, kind
of, see it.
((Keely Cat-Wells, Founder, C Talent))
So, I put on the low-rise bikini that they gave me. And
then the next day, I received an email telling me that I
did not have the role anymore because my ileostomy
and the bag, the prosthetic bag attached to me, was
too unsightly for the screen and it’s going to be too
off-putting to the audience.
((Photos / Courtesy: Keely Cat-Wells))
((Keely Cat-Wells, Founder, C Talent))
It started when I was training in college. And I just
started to feel sick and then I started to be physically
sick and then I couldn’t even drink water. And I just
had this excruciating pain, stomach pain. I had eight
major operations until I had an operation that
eventually saved and changed my life completely.
They realized that it was just my large colon that just
was not functioning properly at all and because of all
of the surgeries I’ve had, there was just no salvaging
the colon. So, what they did was they placed an
ileostomy, which is where a portion of your small
intestine basically comes out of your stomach and you
wear a prosthetic device for the rest of your life.
((Keely Cat-Wells, Founder, C Talent))
If they just gave me a high-waisted bikini, you
wouldn’t be able to see it. So, they could’ve made a
very small adaptation, but they just chose not to.
Why do you think Chadwick Boseman kept his
disability a secret for four years? How different would
his career be if he told people he had cancer?
((NATS/SOTs)
((Video clip Agency reel / Courtesy: C Talent
Agency))
Hi.
Hi.
My name is Ariana.
C J Jones
Miracle Pelayo
Erica Chirino signing, Erika.
I’m Skyler Davenport.
Paul Ford.
I’m represented by C Talent.
By C Talent.
C Talent.
C Talent.
C Talent.
C Talent Management.
By C Talent.
((Keely Cat-Wells, Founder, C Talent))
I decided to start C Talent as soon as I lost that role
and saw that the accessibility and people with
disabilities are so underrepresented.
((Miracle Pelayo, Actress, C Talent))
When we are faced with challenges in life, it could
either make you or break you. Now that I am older, I
am proud to say that I can handle my disability with
even more grace.
((NATS/SOTs: Miracle Pelayo and Alexa))
Alexa, open Tommy Hilfiger adaptive.
Okay. Would you like to see clothing options?
Yes.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((TV ad clip / Courtesy: Tommy Hilfiger))
INCLUSIVE
BY DESIGN
((Miracle Pelayo, Actress, C Talent))
I have cerebral palsy and that comes with being born
premature. I was actually bit with the theater bug
when I was 12 years old. My parents took me to go
see the Miracle Worker on my 12th birthday. And
what started everything was the girl that was playing
Helen Keller was able bodied and she was playing a
disabled character. I turned to my dad and I said,
“Dad, I want to do that but I want to show people that I
can do this no matter if I am in my wheelchair or if I
am in my walker.” My very first big project was
Nickelodeon’s Bella and the Bulldogs.
((NATS/SOT: Miracle Pelayo))
((Video clip / Courtesy: Nickelodeon Network /
"Bella and the Bulldogs"))
Why doesn’t he just cancel Christmas while he’s at it?
And I became the first actress in a wheelchair to be
on a kids’ TV show in Nickelodeon history.
You’re the one who’s going to need a wash. This is
for Tex Fest.
((Skyler Davenport, Actress, C Talent))
In 2012, I had a stroke. I am visually impaired. I am
legally blind, can’t drive. You wouldn’t know it. I am
afraid they won’t hire me if they know.
And did that happen?
No, I actually, I just got done on a feature film, playing
a lead where the character is visually impaired. So,
there you go! I’ve never fired so many gunshots in
my life, which is a good thing.
((Video clip / Courtesy: Paul Ford))
You’re asking me if I’m a mob boss. No, I’m not. I’m
in construction. You’re asking me if I killed my wife.
No.
((Text on screen: ACQUITTED IN FIRST WIFE’S
MURDER IN 1997 DUE TO MISSING WITNESS))
((Paul Ford, Actor, C Talent))
I have a disability called “osteogenesis imperfecta,”
which is a lack of collagen or deformed collagen that
builds around the bone. Basically, you name it, I
broke it.
((Paul Ford, Actor, C Talent))
I mean, it’s the same in any industry that you are in.
If you’re a disabled person, especially when you are
three-foot-eight [112 cm] and you don’t fit the norm. I
mean, when people, even to this day, when people
look at for someone disabled, they want someone
who’s not, doesn’t look disabled, like oh, you wouldn’t
know them if you did a shot from here on up. You
wouldn’t know they were a disabled person. That’s
what they are looking for because they want to like
slowly bring it in. But I work harder than the average
person and I can overcome anything you’ve got. I
mean, I did a film where I was climbing a mountain,
because the “cabin” they had me sitting in, yes, it was
a horror film, was up a hill and so, there was no way a
chair was going to get up there but I got up there to
make the shot.
((NATS))
((Scott Rosendall, Actor, C Talent))
We have about two percent of roles being of disability.
So, if we represent anywhere from 13 to 25 percent of
the population and we are only seen two percent of
the time, that’s a problem. Of those two percent, 95
percent go to able-bodied actors.
((Keely Cat-Wells, Founder, C Talent))
The great benefit of having a company that just solely
represents people with disabilities, it makes us, our
community, of importance. It brings a form of
credibility to people with disabilities.
((NATS/MUSIC))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
NEXT WEEK ((VO/NAT))
((Banner))
In the coming weeks…..
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten Parent))
How was school?
((Azaan Siddiqui, Kindergartner))
Terrible.
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten Parent))
Everyday, after 4 p.m, my kid is just so sad, you know. And I
have to, I have to say, ‘Good job. You did great. I’m so
proud of you.’ They feel like they’re doing something wrong
by not understanding.
((NATS))
((Mahwesh Siddiqui, Online Advertising Consultant,
Kindergarten Parent))
I mean, teachers are doing a great job, you know, they’re
trying their best to do what they do in class, but it’s not
sustainable. But let’s just admit it, this is not normal times.
It’s a pandemic.
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten Parent))
My biggest concern is we’re, like, dimming their yearning for
learning.
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
BREAK THREE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
SHOW ENDS
EPISODE # 151
AIR DATE 12 04 2020
TRANSCRIPT
OPEN ((VO/NAT))
((Banner))
Pandemic Travel
((SOT))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
Although most of the people in the plane were
following the rules and wearing their masks,
but when the time came to exit the airplane, the social
distancing went out of the window.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Women’s Business
((SOT))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
Like one day, I'm going to get my contractor's license
so I can hire women and they can make more money,
you know, and that's what I did.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Inclusive Acting
((SOT))
((Keely Cat-Wells, Founder, C Talent))
I decided to start C Talent and saw that the
accessibility and people with disabilities are so
underrepresented.
((Open Animation))
BLOCK A
((PKG)) INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL DURING A
PANDEMIC
((TRT: 9:58))
((Banner: Traveling With Caution))
((Reporter/Camera: Deepak Dobhal))
((Map: Washington DC; Mumbai; Aurangabad))
((Main character: 1 male))
((NATS))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
My name is Deepak
Dobhal. I am a reporter with this show Connect. You
may have seen some of my stories, but not me.
In Connect, reporter is always behind the camera,
but we are breaking this rule for this particular story.
Actually, I want to show
you what it’s like for someone in the US to travel
internationally during a pandemic. My mother lives in
India and she’s not well. So, in four days, I will be
traveling from Washington, D.C., to a city called
Aurangabad in India. This was not an easy decision.
Every time you step out of your house, your chances
of getting COVID increase and I have to travel 18
hours by plane and then eight hours of cab ride
plus time at
the airport. There are many things that I have to do
before I fly. So, let’s get going.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((BANNER: Wednesday))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
The first thing that I want to do is to take COVID test.
((NATS: CVS Phone Message))
Thank you for calling CVS pharmacy.
To schedule a test, please visit www.CVS.com/corona
virus.
Appointments must be made online as we cannot
accept them over the phone at this time.
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
We have an appointment for tomorrow.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((BANNER: Thursday))
((GPS Audio))
Your destination is on the right.
((CVS Pharmacist))
In the bag, you are going to see a test kit.
((CVS Pharmacist))
That one, yeah.
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
This one? Should I open it?
Okay, let’s do it.
Okay. Thank you very much.
((CVS Pharmacist))
You’re welcome. Take care.
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
Bye.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((BANNER: Friday))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
Generally,
when I go to India, I spend time buying gifts for family
and friends.
But this time, the priorities were different. So, when a
colleague of mine offered me a mask, which is
considered much more safe than the one I had,
picking it up seemed better use of my time.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
Definitely, it feels much more safe.
I hope all these things work.
All this is not just for my own safety. It’s also to
protect people I will come in contact with, including
my mother.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((BANNER: Saturday))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
I just got a text from CVS and my test results are
ready. It has been less than 48 hours, so not bad.
Let’s check.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
You have negative COVID-
19 test result. So, that’s good.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((BANNER: Sunday))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
It’s Sunday morning. I have to leave within a few
hours and I’ve
just received an email from Indian government which
says that my application for exemption from institution
al quarantine has been rejected
and the reason is that no authentic RT-
PCR lab test report is attached. I did attach a report
which I got from CVS.
They are saying ‘no authentic report.’ So, I guess,
the CVS report I sent them, they didn’t find it
authentic. Maybe they don’t know what CVS is.
((Popup Banner: CVS is a large, US pharmacy
chain))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
This is another layer of uncertainty when you’re going
from one country to another
and there’s no phone number given.
There’s nothing here where I can find what to do.
At this point, there’s nothing I can do. So, I’m going
ahead with my plans. I will try to convince Indian
authorities that I have a genuine test report and I
hope that they will let me go to my final destination.
But it’s all up in the air at this moment.
Also, it’s not just this one thing. It’s international
travel and during these
COVID times, there are so many things that can go
wrong.
So, there is no point stressing. I have done my part
and we’ll see what happens.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
The airlines is giving me the option to change my first
domestic flight because they’re saying that it’s fairly
full. Although I don’t want to travel with too many
people, but I have a connecting flight, so I don’t think
that this option will work for me.
This is new. The Indian government now requires
passengers traveling from the US to give their contact
details. I think it’s for contact tracing purposes in
case of any COVID exposure.
I think United was right. Although the airport is mostly
empty, this plane seems full.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((United Airlines Announcement))
Masks are required to be worn for the entire duration
of the flight covering both mouth and nose entirely.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
The first leg of my journey
is over. It was very concerning to sit in a small
packed plane. Thankfully, it was a short flight.
I hope my second flight to Mumbai is not so full. It’s a
15-hour flight.
((NATS))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
Another form. All passengers have to fill Indian
government’s self-reporting form.
Without it, you can’t board the plane. It has questions
about pre-
existing medical conditons, symptoms related to
COVID, plus the form says that you agree to follow all
the procedures. Otherwise
legal actions can be taken against you.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
There are more people in the plane than I was
expecting.
But, at least, the middle seat is empty for most of the
passengers and some people are really prepared.
Although most of the people in the plane were
following the rules and wearing their masks,
but when the time came to exit the airplane, the social
distancing went out of the window.
Now, the biggest thing is to convince Indian
authorities that my COVID test result
is authentic and I should be exempted from the seven
days mandatory quarantine before going to my
final destination.
After passing through immigration and
customs, this is where the officials are checking
COVID-related papers. Let’s see what happens.
Strangely, no one here asked me
about my COVID test results or mentioned that I have
to quarantine because my application for
exemption was rejected. Instead, I have been
handed this paper. It has
all my contact details and the
officials here have told me that I have to get it
stamped at the city office in Aurangabad, the
city I’m going to,
and then quarantine at home.
((NATS in Hindi / English translation))
((On the phone with Aurangabad collector’s
office))
I’m calling from Aurangabad collector office.
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
From Aurangabad collector office, okay. What’s your
name?
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
As I was leaving the airport, I got a call from the city
office where I was supposed to go and get the paper
stamped. Once I
explained to them that I have a valid negative test
report,
the official asked me to just send the report to him
and he would contact me if there’s a need.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Deepak Dobhal, Reporter, VOA Connect))
So far so good. Now it’s seven to eight hours journey
home. The long trip is almost over and now I can just
focus on my mother.
((NATS))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Creating Equality
((SOT))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
So, I was just young and I was a woman and I just
generally got paid much less than other people. Like I
was going in people's houses, doing the whole entire
job, was making 14 dollars an hour and the foremen
were making 25, 30 dollars an hour.
((NATS))
BREAK ONE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK B
((PKG)) FEMALE PAINTER
((TRT: 04:56))
((Banner: Women in Business))
((Reporter/Camera: Genia Dulot))
((Adapted by: Philip Alexiou))
((Map: San Diego, California))
((Main character: 1 female))
((Sub character: 1 female))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
I was painting at a high rise, not so great apartment
building, actually right in this neighborhood. And I
was working alongside this cleaner and she was
crying. She was like, “How are you able to do this?”
Because we make a lot more money than cleaners.
“You know, it's a man's job. I wish I could do this and
all these things.” And I was really moved by that.
And I was like one day like I'm going to get my
contractor's license so I can hire women and they can
make more money, you know. And so, that's what I
did.
((NATS))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
I was in contractor license school and I was like nine
months pregnant. I was the only woman and I was
like wobbling in there. I was really uncomfortable.
((NATS: Kelly Forbes and her daughter))
Can you wave at the camera? Hi.
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
It's very masculine. It's very sexist. It's very ageist as
well. So, I was just young, and I was a woman, and I
just generally got paid much less than other people.
Like I was going in people's houses, doing the whole
entire job, was making 14 dollars an hour and the
foremen were making 25, 30 dollars an hour.
((NATS))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
Well, I created my own company when I was 16 years
old as soon as I learned to paint a room. I just came
up with the name Love Painting Company because I
love love and I love the word love. But I started a
physical, real like live company that has a contractor's
license and all of those things in 2017.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((NATS: Kelly Forbes and Jennifer, Employee,
LOVE Painting Company))
I'm also impressed that you know that painters wear
white.
Well, a lot of it's to hide like plaster and product
instead
Yep.
of landing on the clothes.
Yep.
and white matches everything and so any paint
splattered
Yep.
on your clothes it matches.
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
You’re carrying like five gallon [19 liter] buckets of
paint. They're extremely heavy. You're carrying
heavy ladders, going up and down and up and down
all day. So, it's pretty physically demanding.
((NATS))
((Jennifer, Employee, LOVE Painting Company))
So, I think that's a common misconception in society
that like women can't do these like hands-on jobs that
might take physical labor. And I think that, you know,
women can do anything a man can do.
((NATS))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
Like, we hire men as well. It’s not a sexist thing or
people who identify as somewhere in between both
genders, like we're very encompassing. But also, a
lot of women, people really trust them. And they
come in their home and they feel people with families
or say like an older woman who lives alone, like they
feel very comfortable with that. And women are really
great painters as well.
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
It's just, it's a feminine process in general. You're like
coating unique things. It's not like carpentry where
like carpentry you're cutting wood and it's like a
measurement and it's like a straightness and it's very
exact, whereas like, so it’s like a very feminine, like
finesse process to paint things. And then there's like
the intuitive color consultation side.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
This yellow and this purple will not be in the home on
the walls. It's a palette for them to work off of, to add
art and accents, throw pillows, blankets, stuff like that.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Courtesy: LOVE Painting Company))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
And I was just there one day by myself like working
and I was like I'm just going to raise the pay for
everyone to 20 dollars an hour. When you walk onto
the company, you're going to make 20 dollars an hour
((Courtesy: LOVE Painting Company))
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
because anything less than that is a joke in San
Diego. If people don't want to pay that, then that's
fine. They can work with other people that take
advantage of people and pay less but that's not what
we're going to do.
((NATS: Kelly Forbes and her daughter))
Going to make you a little fort right over here. Get in
your secret fort. We're not going to tell anyone you're
in there. She loves painting. Maya, do you like
painting? She loves painting.
((Kelly Forbes, Founder, LOVE Painting
Company))
There are weeks when I have projects where I feel
like I don't see her. And then I'm on my phone a lot or
those things. But I hope that what she sees is like
anything that she wants to do like she can do it, you
know. And I think kids mirror what they see more
than anything. So, I hope that that's what she sees,
you know.
((NATS/MUSIC))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Breaking Barriers
((SOT))
((Keely Cat-Wells, Founder, C Talent))
If they just gave me a high-waisted bikini, you
wouldn’t be able to see it. So, they could’ve made a
very small adaptation, but they just chose not to.
Why do you think Chadwick Boseman kept his
disability a secret for four years? How different would
his career be if he told people he had cancer?
BREAK TWO
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK C
((PKG)) C TALENT
((TRT: 05:48))
((Banner: Actors with Disabilities))
((Reporter/Camera: Genia Dulot))
((Map: Los Angeles, California))
((Main characters: 1 female))
((Sub characters: 2 female; 2 male))
((NATS /SOTs))
((Video clip / Courtesy: ABC Studios-20th
Century Fox Television-Silver and Gold
Productions-The Detective Agency /
"Speechless"))
Are you from California? I love your accent.
I am totally from Cali.
So, in England that’s like exotic and sexy?
Very much so.
((Keely Cat-Wells, Founder, C Talent))
I auditioned for a big role. I found out that I booked
that big role which was just incredible. And I went to
a fitting and they asked me to try on a bikini and
obviously I have an invisible disability until you, kind
of, see it.
((Keely Cat-Wells, Founder, C Talent))
So, I put on the low-rise bikini that they gave me. And
then the next day, I received an email telling me that I
did not have the role anymore because my ileostomy
and the bag, the prosthetic bag attached to me, was
too unsightly for the screen and it’s going to be too
off-putting to the audience.
((Photos / Courtesy: Keely Cat-Wells))
((Keely Cat-Wells, Founder, C Talent))
It started when I was training in college. And I just
started to feel sick and then I started to be physically
sick and then I couldn’t even drink water. And I just
had this excruciating pain, stomach pain. I had eight
major operations until I had an operation that
eventually saved and changed my life completely.
They realized that it was just my large colon that just
was not functioning properly at all and because of all
of the surgeries I’ve had, there was just no salvaging
the colon. So, what they did was they placed an
ileostomy, which is where a portion of your small
intestine basically comes out of your stomach and you
wear a prosthetic device for the rest of your life.
((Keely Cat-Wells, Founder, C Talent))
If they just gave me a high-waisted bikini, you
wouldn’t be able to see it. So, they could’ve made a
very small adaptation, but they just chose not to.
Why do you think Chadwick Boseman kept his
disability a secret for four years? How different would
his career be if he told people he had cancer?
((NATS/SOTs)
((Video clip Agency reel / Courtesy: C Talent
Agency))
Hi.
Hi.
My name is Ariana.
C J Jones
Miracle Pelayo
Erica Chirino signing, Erika.
I’m Skyler Davenport.
Paul Ford.
I’m represented by C Talent.
By C Talent.
C Talent.
C Talent.
C Talent.
C Talent Management.
By C Talent.
((Keely Cat-Wells, Founder, C Talent))
I decided to start C Talent as soon as I lost that role
and saw that the accessibility and people with
disabilities are so underrepresented.
((Miracle Pelayo, Actress, C Talent))
When we are faced with challenges in life, it could
either make you or break you. Now that I am older, I
am proud to say that I can handle my disability with
even more grace.
((NATS/SOTs: Miracle Pelayo and Alexa))
Alexa, open Tommy Hilfiger adaptive.
Okay. Would you like to see clothing options?
Yes.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((TV ad clip / Courtesy: Tommy Hilfiger))
INCLUSIVE
BY DESIGN
((Miracle Pelayo, Actress, C Talent))
I have cerebral palsy and that comes with being born
premature. I was actually bit with the theater bug
when I was 12 years old. My parents took me to go
see the Miracle Worker on my 12th birthday. And
what started everything was the girl that was playing
Helen Keller was able bodied and she was playing a
disabled character. I turned to my dad and I said,
“Dad, I want to do that but I want to show people that I
can do this no matter if I am in my wheelchair or if I
am in my walker.” My very first big project was
Nickelodeon’s Bella and the Bulldogs.
((NATS/SOT: Miracle Pelayo))
((Video clip / Courtesy: Nickelodeon Network /
"Bella and the Bulldogs"))
Why doesn’t he just cancel Christmas while he’s at it?
And I became the first actress in a wheelchair to be
on a kids’ TV show in Nickelodeon history.
You’re the one who’s going to need a wash. This is
for Tex Fest.
((Skyler Davenport, Actress, C Talent))
In 2012, I had a stroke. I am visually impaired. I am
legally blind, can’t drive. You wouldn’t know it. I am
afraid they won’t hire me if they know.
And did that happen?
No, I actually, I just got done on a feature film, playing
a lead where the character is visually impaired. So,
there you go! I’ve never fired so many gunshots in
my life, which is a good thing.
((Video clip / Courtesy: Paul Ford))
You’re asking me if I’m a mob boss. No, I’m not. I’m
in construction. You’re asking me if I killed my wife.
No.
((Text on screen: ACQUITTED IN FIRST WIFE’S
MURDER IN 1997 DUE TO MISSING WITNESS))
((Paul Ford, Actor, C Talent))
I have a disability called “osteogenesis imperfecta,”
which is a lack of collagen or deformed collagen that
builds around the bone. Basically, you name it, I
broke it.
((Paul Ford, Actor, C Talent))
I mean, it’s the same in any industry that you are in.
If you’re a disabled person, especially when you are
three-foot-eight [112 cm] and you don’t fit the norm. I
mean, when people, even to this day, when people
look at for someone disabled, they want someone
who’s not, doesn’t look disabled, like oh, you wouldn’t
know them if you did a shot from here on up. You
wouldn’t know they were a disabled person. That’s
what they are looking for because they want to like
slowly bring it in. But I work harder than the average
person and I can overcome anything you’ve got. I
mean, I did a film where I was climbing a mountain,
because the “cabin” they had me sitting in, yes, it was
a horror film, was up a hill and so, there was no way a
chair was going to get up there but I got up there to
make the shot.
((NATS))
((Scott Rosendall, Actor, C Talent))
We have about two percent of roles being of disability.
So, if we represent anywhere from 13 to 25 percent of
the population and we are only seen two percent of
the time, that’s a problem. Of those two percent, 95
percent go to able-bodied actors.
((Keely Cat-Wells, Founder, C Talent))
The great benefit of having a company that just solely
represents people with disabilities, it makes us, our
community, of importance. It brings a form of
credibility to people with disabilities.
((NATS/MUSIC))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
NEXT WEEK ((VO/NAT))
((Banner))
In the coming weeks…..
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten Parent))
How was school?
((Azaan Siddiqui, Kindergartner))
Terrible.
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten Parent))
Everyday, after 4 p.m, my kid is just so sad, you know. And I
have to, I have to say, ‘Good job. You did great. I’m so
proud of you.’ They feel like they’re doing something wrong
by not understanding.
((NATS))
((Mahwesh Siddiqui, Online Advertising Consultant,
Kindergarten Parent))
I mean, teachers are doing a great job, you know, they’re
trying their best to do what they do in class, but it’s not
sustainable. But let’s just admit it, this is not normal times.
It’s a pandemic.
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten Parent))
My biggest concern is we’re, like, dimming their yearning for
learning.
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
BREAK THREE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
SHOW ENDS
