I can't remember, did you read FWD/Forward before they shut down? I believe their stuff is still archived; they're a feminists with disabilities blog that has some great stuff on inspiration porn that if you haven't seen, I think you'd want to .
I personally seethe at the inspiration porn because, like you said, most of it is stuff that applies only to a very very limited number of PWDs -- but the rest of us get held to the same standards as PWD who are doing Olympics level athletics. You wouldn't hear someone holding an able-bodied person to those standards, but nope, it's like we have an obligation to be "inspiring." Sry2say but when you're dealing with pain that hasn't gotten below a 5 on a 1-10 scale in years (PLUS mental illnesses)... it's kinda hard to make it through the day, let alone be "inspiring."
I've been told I'm inspirational because I'm a legally blind person who, on really good days, wants to go out into the world and travel and learn stuff. I've asked them to come visit me on my bad days and to look in the blanket fort first. They think I'm joking before realizing I'm not and dealing with anxiety issues that stem from the legally blind issue*. Then they squeeze my hand and say "you're still inspiring" and go on their way. To which... okay? It's part of the reason I stopped going to conferences, with the other part being that there's very little new being done for people with RP (retinitis pigmentosa)**.
*My field vision is down to...12 percent? Yeah, 12 percent. It makes for lovely claustrophobia issues because I can't see that there is a straight path out due to it being out of my line of sight.
**Also, everyone should laugh at the fact that I am an avid roleplayer (Woo old WoD!) and have that. I took it as a sign. :D
Thank you for another insightful rant. I signalboosted. FWIW, I use this aspect of your blog as self-education (and self-applied 2x4) to keep me from being one of those jerks on a regular basis. I was raised in an extremely abelist/biased household, so despite my sister's MS, simply remembering to not do that is a continual requirement of my active brain.
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I personally seethe at the inspiration porn because, like you said, most of it is stuff that applies only to a very very limited number of PWDs -- but the rest of us get held to the same standards as PWD who are doing Olympics level athletics. You wouldn't hear someone holding an able-bodied person to those standards, but nope, it's like we have an obligation to be "inspiring." Sry2say but when you're dealing with pain that hasn't gotten below a 5 on a 1-10 scale in years (PLUS mental illnesses)... it's kinda hard to make it through the day, let alone be "inspiring."
Roaring panda is appropriate.
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*My field vision is down to...12 percent? Yeah, 12 percent. It makes for lovely claustrophobia issues because I can't see that there is a straight path out due to it being out of my line of sight.
**Also, everyone should laugh at the fact that I am an avid roleplayer (Woo old WoD!) and have that. I took it as a sign. :D
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P.S. The article from which that photo comes - http://douglasbaderfoundation.com/2009/05/19/amputee-5-challenges-oscar-blade-runner-pistorius/ - is reasonably ok. But look at the tag line at the top. Feeling inspired? After reading your essay, I'm feeling a little sick, myself.
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