-
Inspiration stories in the media/society
The TV show “Speechless” defines “inspiration porn” as the “portrayal of people with disabilities as one-dimensional saints who only exist to warm the hearts and open the minds of able-bodied people.” The most recent story as the media tells it, is about Tanner Wilson, a regular teenager who was so inspired by his friend, Brandon Qualls, who has cerebral palsy. He saved and sacrificed his own money to buy that friend a wheelchair. But every person I know who needs a power wheelchair or any other expensive mobility device has struggled to get it.
Why isn’t the media reporting on all those battles and the disabled people and their loved ones fighting every day? If Brandon got a wheelchair through insurance, he should have received an evaluation with a physical therapist, who would have looked at his strengths and weaknesses, taken measurements, and helped choose a wheelchair with the right features for his needs. His seat would have been custom built with extra padding and other supports to reduce pain and prevent pressures sore and joint problems.
What do you think of these kind of stories? Have you ever been used as “inspiration porn”?
Log in to reply.