Photo Of The Day

I was just thinking the other day that almost all the blogged photos on the theme of "disabled people are sexy" are of women. So, when I saw this one I figured I really had to post it.

From Photographer With Wheels Tumblr blog, via Disabled People Are Sexy.

Two Things To Read Today

Heroic Measures

Bill Keller, The New York Times - January 12, 2014

Chris Christie And Pulling The Red Handle

Linda Holmes, NPR Monkey See Blog - January 12, 2014

A few notes about these articles:

I suggest reading the Keller piece first, because it’s likely to make you angry or at least uncomfortable. The Holmes post may make you feel sad, but also kind of exhilarated, because she writes about a sad, upsetting thing in such a beautiful, resonant way. You’ll feel better at the end if you read the articles in this order.

Both articles are about social issues in which there are valid points on "both sides". There are, in fact, different approaches to life-threatening illness, and losing weight is, for many people, an important health goal. However, both of these priorities are almost always crusted over with unnecessary layers of social shaming and judgment, which means that really valuable, non-hurtful discussion on either of them is extremely rare.

The biggest problem with Keller’s Op-Ed isn’t so much anything he specifically says, it’s the tone throughout. If the contempt and disapproval oozing out of every sentence wasn’t intended, then he’s a terrible writer.

The brilliance of Holmes' piece I won't even try to explain.

Neither article is about disability, but both should speak loud and clear to disabled people regardless. Disabled people are constantly questioned about how we process and talk about our disabilities, both medically and socially. We are never more than a few steps away from the implication that the costs of keeping us alive and independent aren’t worth it, even to us (but really to everyone else). People say they just want to “have a conversation” about these “issues”, but what they really want to do is find a socially acceptable way of saying that the things we do and the way we do them are wrong.

We also frequently have to contend with supposedly well-meaning people who question the very nature of our disabilities, implying that there must be some unnamed “things” we could do to make ourselves better, or more functional, or more productive, if only we educated ourselves or tried harder or were less self-involved. We do it to each other, too. And of course, our "red handles" are either very, very visible and tempting, or, if not exactly visible, so large that people seem to run into them accidentally.

Addendum: A Tumblr blogger I admire reblogged this and pointed out that cancer might be considered a disability. I agree, especially since Keller treats this woman's cancer exactly the way ableist people treat other disabilities they "have opinions" about.

Disabled "American Girl” Doll … Followup

I’ve seen this story all over the place in the last couple of weeks, so I’m kind of amazed that this petition still needs over 26,000 more signatures to reach its goal.

Click here to sign the petition, asking “American Girl” to introduce a doll with a disability.

Why “Special Needs”? … Followup

Several people have responded to my question about use of the term “Special Needs” to describe kids with disabilities. Here’s one that isn’t very pleasant, and doesn’t explain, but certainly calls into question whether the term really accomplishes what people think it does:

From the I hate everyone Tumblr blog ...

"How long has “special needs” actually been a thing? because by the time I was in kindergarten special was already being used as a slur. Everyone loved it because it wasn’t a real swear so no one got in trouble. And the adults used it to of course.
Because it was “PC” it was totally allowed and considered better than words like “stupid” only there was no question of what people meant and harassed the special ed. kids for it.

I imagine most adults don’t use it because it’s probably a trigger for a lot of people because it’s totally unchecked and acceptable to use on people.”

Weekly Wrap-Up

Monday, January 6, 2013

• Disability And Hotness
• Maysoon Zayid TED Talk

Tuesday, January 7, 2013

• What Should We Call Them
• American Horror Story

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

• No More R-Word
• Photo Of The Day

Thursday, January 9, 2014

• Why “Special Needs”?
• Reverse Inspiration

Friday, January 10, 2014

• Another Development About Ethan Saylor
• Photo Of The Day
• “Parenthood” Is Exciting

Saturday, January 11, 2014

• Being A Lesson To Others

A Word About Poverty And Welfare

No, we don’t spend $1 trillion on welfare each year

Mike Konczal, Washington Post Wonkblog - January 12, 2014

This breakdown of the terms of debate on “welfare” is a must read. It’s not really about disability per se, but it’s an example of how discussions of philosophies and priorities can be distorted, sometimes intentionally, by fuzzy thinking. Plus, a lot of people with disabilities use one or more of these programs, so it’s helpful to see how they actually work and what they cost.

Being A Lesson To Others

We're not here for your inspiration

Stella Young, Australian Broadcasting Corporation - July 3, 2012

(Via the too brain fogged for this Tumblr blog).

I just re-read this great piece by Australian journalist and disability activist Stella Young, and I think I have an alternative theory of "Inspiration Porn”. It’s not a replacement, It's more lie an addendum.

I agree with Stella that pictures of ordinary disabled people doing ordinary things, with blandly uplifting captions attached, mainly serve to tell non-disabled people, "You think your life is hard, it could always be worse!" They are also meant to encourage non-disabled people who are discouraged for other difficulties in life. If a paraplegic live life with a smile, than your problems shouldn't be too hard to handle.

However, I think these photos ... and videos, too ... serve another purpose. I think that "Inspiration Porn" has become another ideological weapon for a group of people with a strong conviction that today's society is decadent and lazy. Instead of uplifting people (whether we agree that they should or not), "Inspiration Porn" is now just as often used to shame people perceived to be weak, lazy, or entitled ... people perceived to have had it too easy, who are now unable to face adversity. Disabled people who show minimal levels of functionality or better are object examples of how people should face adversity ... with determination, ingenuity, and toughness.

This is another reason I dislike "Inspiration Porn." I think that the "world is going to hell / kids these days" constituency is dead wrong and harmful to boot. Society has plenty of ills, and it's easy to find people who think the world owes them a living. But, that's always been the case. I especially think that the so-called "Millennials" have been getting a bad rap. So, when "inspirational" photos and videos of disabled people are used to make others feel bad about themselves, in the words of Stella Young, it "really burns my crumpets".

"Parenthood" Is Exciting

I just watched this week’s episode of “Parenthood”. Wow. There are so many great disability-related ideas that have been teed up and are just waiting for follow-through.

Part of me wants them to just get on with it. Have Hank and Max compare notes on what it’s like to cope with other people when you have Asperger Syndrome. Get Max to patch things up with with his friend Micha, and in the process realize that preconceptions about his abilities as a wheelchair user are just as “stupid” as peoples’ attitudes towards his own Asperger’s. I'd like to see a little more of Micha's new basketball friends, who aren't very nice to Max, but seem to have no problem hanging with a wheelchair user. Max’s parents, Adam and Krisina, seem finally to be getting it through their heads that a more relaxed, hands-off approach is sometimes best with Max. Yet, they still seem addicted to the drastic intervention. I loved the moment when Kristina immediately interpreted Max's latest social problem as being her fault, and Adam, with gentle sarcasm, says, "It might be your fault." Because, you know, it's always all about Kristina! To be fair, in the past, it's always been about Adam, too.

I’m worried that they leave these great ideas just hanging  But, maybe I just need to be patient. Maybe these developments will be better in the end if they are allowed to happen slowly, naturally. I can’t think of another show featuring disabled characters where there is actual suspense about how aspects of their disabilities will play out, for themselves and the people around them. It’s impressive.

Addendum:

I'm watching the episode a second time, and I just had to share this little exchange between Max and his father Adam:

Adam asks Max if he can remember why Micha might have gotten angry with him. 

Max: "Maybe it's because he was suddenly obsessed with basketball, and I told him basketball is stupid." 

Adam: "Okay, that could be."

Max: "He can't even play basketball. He's in a wheelchair."

Adam: "You didn't say that did you?"

Max: "Yeah. And then it was even more stupid because he said he could play wheelchair basketball, which I told him was stupid because it's not real basketball."

Adam: "Alright. I think that might have hurt Micha's feelings."

I loved this, except for one thing. If Max's Asperger's brain is so orderly and logical ... even though he's often working with faulty assumptions ... why doesn't Adam take the opportunity to argue with him a bit on his own turf, and draw a connection between Micha's disability and Max's? Or, is that unrealistic?

Photo Of The Day

From the Why Am I So F***ing Tired? Tumblr blog.

She’s got a regular website, too, and videoblogs on her Youtube Channel … mostly makeup tips, but also some stuff about disability.

Another Development About Ethan Saylor

After Ethan Saylor death, panel calls for better training on disabilities

Jessica Anderson, The Baltimore Sun - January 9, 2014

It sounds like the Governor-appointed commission to study how police in Maryland interact with people who have intellectual disabilities is on the right track. The commission was set up in response to the death of Ethan Saylor, a man with Down syndrome who died in an encounter with police, in a movie theater, that escalated unnecessarily. The commission seems to have mapped out a more ambitious mission for itself, which will extend beyond just better police training.

I still would like to know more about the role of Mr. Saylor’s aide in the incident. A few reports earlier on suggested that she tried to tell the police how to deal with Saylor, but was ignored. If that’s the case, then I hope part of the police training includes listening to the individuals with disabilities and people who are with them. I also hope that anguish over this terrible incident doesn’t lead to the kind of caution and protectiveness that would end up unintentionally reducing freedom and integration. Hopefully, enough people with disabilities will attend the “listening sessions” to ensure that the outcomes are real progress, not just narrowly-defined safety.

Reverse Inspiration

Via AmputeeOT Facebook Page.

Why "Special Needs"?

I have another question for parents of children with disabilities. I hope this question isn’t either too controversial or too ignorant, but here it goes. Why do blogs by parents of what I would term "kids with disabilities" use the term “special needs” instead of variations on disability?

Is it because disability sounds too negative? Is it because schools now widely use the term “special needs”. Does it reflect a more complex re-conceptualizing of “disability” as just another form of human variation? Or, is there some reason for it that I might be totally unaware of?

I ask because as an adult, I use variations on the word “disability” to describe my physical impairments, which I have had since birth. When I’m being very specific and scientific, I might use “impairments”. When I’m feeling punchy or shooting the sh*t with other disabled people, I might even say “cripple”. I know of many adults with disabilities who take care to use person-first language … and others who don’t like person-first language at all. I also know of many disabled adults who prefer “differently-abled”, or some other self-consciously positive terms. They’re not my cup of tea, but lots of disabled people like it. However, I can’t imagine myself, or remember any other disabled adults using “special needs” to describe their own disabilities. Like, never. I’ve only ever heard the term used by family members to describe disabilities of someone in the family … or doctors, teachers, or other professionals to describe patients, students, or customers, and mostly just children, rarely adults.

So, maybe I have a second, related question for parents. If you use “special needs” for your child, do you think your child will use the term to describe his or her situation when he or she grows up? Or, do you think they might switch to disability, as they mature and have the emotional tools to develop their own positive, and realistic self-concept?

Obviously, I’ve tipped my hand here. I don’t really understand or relate to the term “special needs”. The thing is, I don’t despise it the way I do some other disability euphemisms, and I don’t really have a strong argument for what might be wrong with “special needs”. I guess I’m saying that I am open to persuasion, and would like to hear if there is a thought-out philosophy behind it.

Photo Of The Day

From the Just Rollin’ On Tumblr blog.