I am a huge nerd for cosplay. There were so many fun and inspiring costumes and people at Animethon this year. I had a blast, and I sure hope that they did as well! Their hard work payed off <3

If you know who any of these lovely folks are, tell me and I’ll tag them!

askadisneycharacter:

I have wanted to make this comparison since I saw Finding Dory the other day, because its so interesting to see how different parents treat a child who was born with a disability, and I think Disney captured the two different kids of parents. Thus, I created this sort of mini “do’s/don’ts” guide, using these two movies! Note: spoilers for Finding Dory!

DO:

• Treat them as you would any other child
  
• Change your life to accommodate for them
  
• Create strategies to help them cope
• Never isolate them or make them feel as if they are different
• Encourage them to accept themselves for who they are
• Trust your child, and know they will be okay

How did Dory’s parents do this?
Dory’s parents created a bunch of strategies in order for Dory to cope with her short-term memory loss. They used role-play in order for Dory to practice for the real thing, so she knew how to act, and to address her disability, rather than conceal it. They created easy to remember songs to protect her. They always ensured she knew they loved her. They trusted her to come back, and knew she would remember the shells, and that that would lead her to them. Then, they let her socialise with the other children because they trusted her.

DON’T:

• Make the child feel different
• Isolate the child
• Make the child feel scared of themselves
• Tell them to conceal, rather than embrace themselves
• Poor coping strategies

What did Elsa’s parents do wrong?
Elsa’s parents made quite a few mistakes. While ice magic is a complete contrast to memory loss, think about this metaphorically. If similar strategies were adopted for Elsa as they were for Dory, Elsa would have been much happier within herself, and if Dory was given these strategies, she would have also lived her life in fear. Elsa’s parents allowed her “difference” (even though I hate that word) to control her life, and constantly told her it was something to be afraid of, and to hide it away from the rest of the world. There was little trust towards Elsa (note: “Elsa what have you done?”), and she felt isolated, different, and you should never do that with a child, as it carried on for the rest of her life. Even with their coping strategies (the gloves, “conceal, don’t feel”), it was all about hiding rather than embracing. Elsa’s parents were not abusive. They just made bad choices.

So you want to set up a home aquarium…

montereybayaquarium:

We totally get it—you’re so inspired by movies like Finding Dory or a visit to an aquarium that now you want your own Dory or Nemo.

Keeping a fish can help you learn about caring for live animals and gain respect for aquatic life, but there’s a lot more to it than just fish + water + plants + food = aquarium.

Because we love fishes just like you do, here are some important things to think about first:

Fishes are live animals, and caring for an animal’s life and habitat is a serious responsibility and time commitment. Hey, we need a college degree to work at the Aquarium with saltwater fishes, invertebrates and complicated aquarium life support systems!

Do your homework! Fishes can live for several years, and will need care all during that time. Do your homework first. Take time to learn the needs of a particular species of fish or fishes, and what’s involved in maintaining a living aquatic ecosystem at home.

Bigger is not always better. Different species of fishes need different sizes of tanks. Food, water quality, size of tank, water volume and lighting are all requirements you need to consider when choosing a fish. Time for more homework!

Start simple. Saltwater fishes and aquariums can sometimes be more complicated than freshwater, but both require daily care and maintenance. A blue tang like Dory can be very difficult to keep, but there are other marine fishes that are easier. Many freshwater fishes, like some goldfish species, can be great for the beginner. Yep, more homework!

Buddy up! Ask a parent, sibling or friend to help you with your project. (Caring for animals is a good way to spend time with people, too.) Never capture a fish in the wild and bring it home. Instead, work with a reputable aquarium dealer who can help you set up a relatively easy-to-maintain system, and recommend a fish that best suits your interest—and skills.

Take the time to learn the ropes. See if this is something you want to stick with before you advance to more complex systems and fishes. If you get stuck, be kind and find a good home for your fishy pet. Don’t “release” it into a river or the ocean! It probably won’t survive, and if it does, can spread parasites and diseases to native fishes.

Remember, visiting your local aquarium is a great way to see and learn more about your favorite furry, feathered and finned friends!