I, like many others in the disability community, want to dispel the myth that people with disabilities are somehow inspirational. That is simply not true. We are no different than anyone else.
I've seen many discussions in the disability blog community about the young autistic man who shot a basket in a game and called himself a "hero." At Whose Planet is it Anyway, people are concerned that he is buying into the myth of being an inspiration because he plays basketball and has autism. They point out that this does not make him a hero. There are those who would turn him into one and define him as one - but then what does this do to his life? How does this promote one's inclusion - or one's sense of onseself - if one is defined as an inspiration?
Much of my energy is devoted toward inclusion. I write, I speak, I email, I blog and ultimately I advocate for people with disabilities so that our lives can be productive and full. Whether I am trying to help someone find a job - or meals - I grapple with issues such as the role of our communities - and our churches - in the scheme of these things. Why are there people with disabilities who are willing to work and qualified, but cannot get jobs? Why are there people with disabilities who need to rent an apartment but cannot find accessible housing? Why do we even have to talk about inclusion - and work toward it? Why is it such a struggle ?
I believe, for the most part, it is because people with disabilities are still seen as "the other". The myth of being an inspiration is dangerous because it adds to this problem. When a person with a disability is called inspirational, a wall has just been put up that's another barrier to inclusion. It makes it too easy to write a newspaper article about them - and compartmentalize their existence.
It also can constrict a person's choices. What are an "inspirational person's" choices? How can you live like that? Real life is not a media appearance. Do you go to a bbq and talk about your fifteen minutes of fame to someone and then retreat into that role? It's just not conducive, in any way, shape or form, to being a part of community at large.
In fact, as the discussion above shows, being an "inspiration" alienates one not only from the able bodied, but from people with disabilities who know that they are not inspirational.
2 comments:
I really appreciate this post, but I also found myself arguing with you - and remembering a song I had heard on Ballastexistenz's web site. So I had to write a post on my own blog too.
Thanks for making me think!
Hubby taped a morning TV show for me that included an interview with this boy and his family, one year after the great game. He seems very level headed and surprisingly articulate. According to his mother he was diagnosed with a severe form of autism, but early detection and early therapies made all the difference.
My reaction to his original feat was a big WOW, but I was genuinely impressed with how he has handled his instant fame.
I don't agree with you on this one, Ruth. People who deal with life's difficulties in a determined and optimistic way do inspire me to do my best. I don't think that sets the inspirational person at a distance at all.
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