Essay On Disability In The Media

More recently than ever, the treatment and the representation of the disabled has become an important topic of discussion, with many disabled persons speaking out on the stereotypes of disability and lack of proper portrayal in the media. In her essay “Disability,” author Nancy Mairs describes her life as a woman living with multiple sclerosis, and she examens the lack of accurate portrayal of disability, especially in the media. Similarly, Andre Dubus adds to Mairs’ argument in his essay “Why the Able-Bodied Still Don’t Get It” by elaborating on how his life changed after becoming disabled, an experience that allowed him to understand why the disabled are still stereotyped and how this causes the abled-bodied to not fully understand what it’s

The media’s discrimination towards people with disabilities shown in television can effect those with those disabilities. How nice would it

We don't want to give people the idea that our product is just for the handicapped,'' he said.” ( paragraph 5). Nancy continued this conversation by adding,”If you saw my blind niece ordering a Coke, would you switch to Pepsi lest you be struck sightless? No, I think the advertiser's excuse masked a deeper and more anxious rationale: to depict disabled people in the ordinary activities of daily life is to admit that there is something ordinary about disability itself, that it might enter anybody's life”( paragraph 5). To further explain, Nancy sought further clarification on the lack of representation in media from an industry professional, wondering whether a disabled person advertising a product would promote the idea that only disabled people could use it.

In Eli Clare’s essay titled “The Mountain”, she writes about her disability and how societal attitudes about it affects her experience of her own body.

In conclusion, Grozs, explains that many of us strive more off of voyeurism than to research the history and science behind these so called “freaks,” because they are not freaks, they are humans with disabilities that are used as entertainment, as objects, something that society would usually marginalized but has somehow became this fascination of fetishizing the

` The movie “Radio” is based on a true story about Robert Kennedy. Robert Kennedy is played by Cuba Gooding Jr. in the movies. The movie takes place around the 1960’s. Radio suffers from a mental disability that has caused him to have trouble speaking and learning problems. Radio lives with his mother in South Carolina and is somewhat hidden from society because of his disability.

Murphy lacks mobility and sensation in his lower body other than the feeling of occasional muscle spasms, and has limited movement in his upper body below the neck including his arms. Murphy writes the story as it recounts events throughout his entire life, from childhood onwards. He was sixty-two when he wrote the novel. The story provides Murphy’s anthropological commentary on the life of a person with a disability and how society views and treats people with disabilities (Murphy, 1990). Murphy’s performance patterns both support and inhibit his occupational engagement.

In the essay, “On Being a Cripple,” Nancy Mairs uses humorous diction and a positive tone to educate people about life as a cripple and struggles of people with disabilities. She does this to show how hard it is to be disabled and how it differs from the life of someone without a disability. She talks about the struggles and the fears that disabled people must deal with on a daily basis. Mairs use of rhetoric creates a strong sense of connection and understanding for the reader. Nancy Mairs is successful in using detailed imagery, diction, and tone to educate her readers about the difficulties of living with a disability.

Each text contains interest while I read them, they also focused ideas regarding disability but the points that’ll receive attention don’t necessarily relate to each other. In Johanna Hedva’s piece, Sick Woman Theory, she discusses concepts revolving around her chronic illness and the effects of that illness on her life. For Robert McRuer, he wishes to explore ideas that explain the relationship between heterosexuality and able-bodiedness. While each text displays engaging thoughts, this paper will respond to them in different ways. For this response paper, interest lies in adding ideas to the first section of Sick Woman Theory as well as critiquing what McRuer wants to accomplish with his paper.

People with disabilities and their caretakers are stigmatized for not being able to keep up, but they are not viewed as not having a “real” disability if they are too productive. Instead of viewing this as a symptom for their disease or disability, Hillyer believes this is a healthier way of living, and she encourages her readers to adopt similar techniques for managing their responsibilities. She especially criticizes the unrealistic, fast-paced speed that women are expected to maintain, despite personal obstacles. Hillyer, having lived in the intersection between the feminist and disability communities for most of her life, emphasizes the importance of allowing women to abandon the traditional concept of a highly productive “superwoman” and instead replace it with the knowledge that every woman dealing with a disease or disability, in themselves or loved ones, is a

In Thomas J. Gerschick’s chapter, he argues that a person’s appearance can be measured on a scale with most normative on one end and least normative on the other. People who are most normative, or most attractive, are treated the best by society and therefore, are more successful. People who are least normative-looking (i.e people with disabilities) are seen as unattractive, invisible, and asexual (Gerschick, pg. 76). Additionally, Gerschick argues that the medical community has furthered stereotypes about people with disabilities being asexual by failing to discuss sex with patients (Gerschick, pg. 78). However, he also points out some social forces that encourage people with disabilities to explore their sexualities such as ‘devotee communities’

Individuals, who suffer from any type of disabilities, sadly live a different life due the societal stigma attached to it. The film When Billy Broke His Head and the reading Deaf Matters Compulsory Hearing and Ability Trouble both illustrate the hardships and struggles disabled individuals go through as a result of stereotypical misconceptions created by the media and the larger society. Firstly, exemplified in the media through a portrayal of disheartened characteristics like constant anger and bitterness about life, a misconception of an unapproachable individual starts to become produced. Through a continuous loop of negative illustrations of disability, an unawareness and lack of knowledge about certain disabilities, a stigma of this unfamiliar

n Nancy Mairs essay, “Disability”, she illustrates the lack of representation of people with disabilities in the media. While disability plays a major role in Mairs’ life, she points out the various ways her everyday life is ordinary and even mundane. Despite the normalcy of the lives of citizens with disabilities Mairs argues the media’s effacement of this population, is fear driven. She claims, “To depict disabled people in the ordinary activities of daily life is to admit that there is something ordinary about the disability itself, that it may enter anybody’s life” (Mairs 14). Able bodied people worry about the prospect of eventually becoming physically impaired.

Why should people with disabilities be included in theatre? Disability theatre can give multiple opportunities to people with disabilities. It is not just about combating exclusion, but also to increase one’s creativity, making new friends, discover new talents and build one’s confidence and self-esteem. Enhancing such skills will give people with disabilities the opportunity to increase their independence and self-advocacy.

Disabled people are people who have mental or physical limitation so they depend on someone to support them in doing their daily life needs and jobs. Although disabled people are a minority and they are normally ignored, they are still a part of the society. The statistics show that the proportion of disabled people in the world rose from 10 percent in the seventies of the last century to 15 percent so far. The number of handicapped exceeds a billion people all over the world, occupied about 15 percent of the world's population, as a result of an aging population and the increase in chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, blood and psychological diseases that are related with disabilities and impairments. Every five seconds someone