Week 1 Blog

Disabilities in Sports 

My Experience- 

    Throughout Highschool every year I volunteered at Tim Tebow's Night To Shine. This event is for people with special needs and is hosted by churches everywhere. There were many activities that were involved that always made this night one to remember. After arrival, we were paired with a "date" for the night, after there was dancing, dinner, karaoke, magicians, a spa where we could get our nails and hair done, and so much more. I had a new date every year where we could hang out all night and just have fun. These experiences allowed me to get to know new people and connect in such a fantastic way. This program is amazing and was really one of my first experiences one on one with those with disabilities. 

My Reaction- 

    Learning this week's material I realized I didn't know a lot about this topic. The idea of "inspiration porn" was something that I have never thought about. The motivational images that Stella Young showed in her Ted Talk I have seen before, but I never thought about how people with disabilities viewed those images. The idea of inspiration porn is the objectification of disabled people and their experiences to the benefit of non-disabled people. This idea uses disabled people as props to carry a specific message, rather than respecting their humanity. It simply implies that because someone was able to 'overcome' their disability anyone can do the same. Although this may not have been intentional it creates pity and changes the way people view those with disabilities. A stereotype that can fall under inspiration porn is when a disabled person is being congratulated for mundane everyday activities. Like Stella Young talked about how her town wanted to give her an award but she did nothing to deserve that award. So, the next time we see a 'feel good' type of story on social media we need to look at what who that story is targeting and who is feeling good about it, you or them?

     People look at others who are different than them and form an idea in their head about what their life could be like. For some, they believe it to be so hard and if they were ever like that they don't know how they could function. Although, what people don't think about is how they are just people. Being disabled shouldn't be labeled as a sad thing, because this implies that the disabled life is terrible compared to the abled life. Sure, being disabled can be frustrating or difficult but it should never be labeled as sad. I believe the idea of looking at people with disabilities like this is harmful because it creates the idea that we are not the same when in fact we are. I believe if everyone took time and was one on one with someone with disabilities they would really come to realize that we are no different from them and they are no different from us.