For Spectrum Academy's 8th grade graduation Kim Peek's came to speak to us. For those of you that do not know who Kim Peek is I would love to tell you a little bit about him. Kim Peek is considered an Autistic Savant. He was born with a photographic memory. And the best part is Kim is the man Dustin Hoffman studied for the character in the movie Rainman. Dustin spent 3 months watching, asking, and learning about Kim in order to play the part better.Kim's dad did most of the explaining and then he opened up for questions. He told us to raise our hands and ask Kim any question we could think of...Kim would have an answer for us, and he did!
Kim can tell you the page, paragraph, and line an exact quote is on in any book he has read...and there are not many he has not read.
If you tell him your birth date he can tell you the day (M-Su), the weather of that day, and the day (M-Su) on which you will retire (age 65).
He is a huge sports fan and can tell you any stat you wish about any sport in the United States, some in Europe, and about any athlete you want to know about. He is a walking encyclopedia. It was amazing to listen to him.
If you give him a city he will tell you the streets that run through it, the names of any parks, and the area code. He is truly amazing.
He had little patients for the microphone we had for him. He wanted to touch the people he was talking to so he kept walking into the audience. His dad would say into the mic, "Kim, you need to talk into the microphone so all of the people can hear you." After his dad said this about 5 times, Kim walked back to the mic pulled it off the cord and yelled, "Now I am holding the mic and the only ones that need to hear can hear." His dad chuckled as he stood there holding the mic cord and Kim walked around holding the mic.
He had little patients for the microphone we had for him. He wanted to touch the people he was talking to so he kept walking into the audience. His dad would say into the mic, "Kim, you need to talk into the microphone so all of the people can hear you." After his dad said this about 5 times, Kim walked back to the mic pulled it off the cord and yelled, "Now I am holding the mic and the only ones that need to hear can hear." His dad chuckled as he stood there holding the mic cord and Kim walked around holding the mic.
Hayden's question was when was the first super bowl played, Kim didn't skip a beat! He gave us the teams, the location, and the score.
Hayden and I got to shake Kim's hand and we got to hold the Oscar that Dustin Hoffman gave Kim for his help with the movie (yep it is heavy). It was a mind blowing night and I hope it is one that Hayden will not forget.
Here is a clip of Kim answering Hayden's question. He doesn't talk in the mic so it is hard to hear him sometimes, but he is so facinating to watch. Dustin did a good job imitating his voice and his mannerisms.
Here is a video of a car question.
2 comments:
I loved this! I think that it must have been an amazing experience for the students of the school, and especially for the parents and teachers that may have been there as well. :)
It is crazy that you goto to hold an Oscar, man1
That is so cool you were able to meet him. I love that show and just the little bit on your blog shows Dustin Hoffman deserved that award. How sweet to give it to him.
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