Not Helping

When you turn on the television, you see many things: blonde models, asian people, hispanic people, and above all, able bodied people. One of the things you don't see, however, is disabled people. I think the reason for this is many television writers don't know how to deal with creating a high-functioning disabled character. But, honestly, if I had seen more disabled television characters when I was younger, I wouldn't have felt so isolated. Usually, when you see disabled people on television, there usually is a character the other characters "have to" look after. There was one show, however, that I understood and could identify with. This show was called Pelswick.

Not A Happy Ending Yet

Recently, America heard the story of Constance McMillen, a lesbian student who wanted to go to her senior prom with her girlfriend. Because she lived in Mississippi, the school board would not allow her to attend the dance with her girlfriend. As a result of this, there was a media backlash. Constance finally was able to attend a prom with her girlfriend at the country club. What the media did not focus on, however, was that the school initially sent Constance and her date to a separate prom for students with disabilities.

The board sent her to a "fake prom." The other students who attended were students with mental or physical disabilities. Though I am glad Constance was granted her wish, I feel that even the students with disabilities should be allowed to attend the regular senior prom if they so wish, and not be brushed aside so that their fellow students will not have to deal with them.

Too Soon to Tell

Two years ago, many people in the disabled community were excited but somewhat skeptical about Governor Palin's speech that because she had a baby with Down Syndrome, she would be a fierce advocate for people with disabilities from the White House. But what many people failed to ask, but was an obvious question to me, was how could a woman with a three month old baby become such an expert on issues facing families with disabled children? It was just too soon to tell what parenting Trig, or any child with a disability, would require.

Although I sincerely believe that Governor Palin loves her son, it soon became clear that he was being used as a pawn in her campaign. This became even more clear two years later, when the popular TV show Family Guy ran an episode in which one of the characters goes on a date with a woman with Down Syndrome. The two characters have a conversation, and the woman says, "Well, my dad is an accountant, and my mother is the former governor of Alaska." Although I believe the joke was crude and in poor taste, Governor Palin's interview with Bill O'Reilly following the episode seemed more about her wounded pride than protecting her family.

Trig Palin is now around 3 years old, and I would bet Governor Palin has a better idea of what being a parent to child with a disability entails, but a word to the wise: Governor Palin, call me in five years. I want to know how you'll advocate for people like Trig and me.

I'm Not Tiny Tim

I believe that ever since the days of Tiny Tim, disabled people have been portrayed in the media as weak people who must be pitied. For instance, I saw a commercial for Special Olympics, and don't get me wrong, I think it's a great organization, but paraphrasing the commercial, "Come see the most inspiring athletes in the world. These people can overcome anything." That may be true, but why is it that when people with disabilities do normal things, we are automatically labeled inspiring? A person in a wheelchair could just be out getting milk and someone could say, "Good for you! You go! You can do it!" Look, I'm not suggesting that these people don't mean well, but in pointing out our ability to do something that most able bodied people take for granted, these well-meaning bystanders actually highlight our differences, when often the intention seems to be to create unity and show acceptance.

Here's the point: the woman getting milk is just living her life. I'm just living my life. Most people would call me a good guy, but there are times when I, like everyone else, can be an asshole. People with disabilities are people, not saints or angels. I have a headrest on my chair, not a halo.  I have to admit here, that there have been times when people mistook me for an inspiration solely because I am disabled and therefore offered me an extra piece of cake in the cafeteria. I did not bother to correct them. But the fact remains, I'm just a guy, who happens to use a wheelchair.