You may or may not have heard the term
“Inspiration Porn.” It is defined as any meme, video or feel-good article that sensationalizes people
with disabilities. It was coined by the late
social justice activist Stella Young in 2012, when she wrote an article titled “We’re Not Here
for Your Inspiration.” She
writes: “Let me be clear about the intent of this inspiration porn; It’s there
so that non-disabled people can put their worries into perspective…It’s there
so that non-disabled people can look at us and think ‘well, it could be worse…
I could be that person.’” It objectifies disabled people for the sake of
non-disabled people.
A
common caption to these images is a Scott Hamilton quote, “The only disability in life is a bad
attitude.” The images are meant to motivate; If these people can live with just
one leg,” for example, “I can do so much more without a disability.” It
comforts us. But it also incorrectly assumes that disability can actually be
overcome with a smile and a little bit of determination.
Once, when I was still on forearm crutches, I
visited a friend that lived in an apartment situated at the top of a steep
flight of stairs. As we were leaving, my husband helped me down the stairs and
went to get the car. I waited on the sidewalk and saw a woman rushing down her
own set of stairs. She seemed to be coming straight at me. And she was. She
said something along the lines of, “I just watched you climb down those stairs
and I think I have seen you here before.’ I’m thinking, okay Adam hurry up.
Then she said, “I think it’s great that you get out. I just wanted to tell you
that.” I thanked her and Adam pulled up and that was the end of it. But that
experience stuck with me. I know she had good intentions but I wonder if she
knew she actually made me feel a little small. I impressed her because I lived
life with a disability. I visited a friend. If you took my crutches out of the
situation, would she have approached me? No.
The reality is that
disability is a social experience. The disabled population is not just here to
inspire you. We aren’t people doing extraordinary things. We are living life.
Watch Stella Young’s Ted Talk here.
