The mainstream media is obsessed with the idea that the single most important longing of paralysed people is to walk again. This is apparent even in the way we speak about paralysis – with the able-bodied assumption that a person is “trapped in a wheelchair.” But the truth is that I am not trapped in my wheelchair; I am freed by it.
I say this, because once again the world has gone troppo over an exoskeleton, with the opening of the World Cup featuring a paralysed man strapped to a Robocop Avatar, kicking a soccer ball. Apart from the fact that the kick was insipidly embarrassing (travelling all of two meters), the device was a monstrosity, and I have absolutely no desire to try it. If science wants to help me out, it should concentrate its research on the bladder and bowel, and do something about nerve pain and spasm (but of course these sort of advances would make pretty yucky news stories). More importantly, allocate resources to making public and private spaces accessible to wheels, and spend money helping disabled people find meaningful employment, and focus your media stories on paralysed people that have succeeded in the diverse challenges of life using their wheelchair as one of many tools to help them to flourish.
but enough of my ranting. If you’re interested in this topic, let me refer you to a couple of blogs that have said it more bluntly than I can:
Why the obsession with walking? “So hey, able-bodied media: quit making me feel like wheelchairs are a shitty, sub-par option. Stop beating your exoskeleton drum. And most of all, let go of your obsession with walking, because it’s totally overrated.”
and another:
6 Comments
Elly Clifton
June 15, 2014 at 6:36 pmWalking might be over-rated to you, but it would make my life much easier
Shane Clifton
June 15, 2014 at 6:59 pmElly, this is an important clarification. I’m certainly not anti walking, and I miss the mobility and activities of my previous body, especially being able to help out at home. What I’m really critiquing is the media’s priorities and obsessions.
Gina @ http://inkyed.wordpress.com
June 16, 2014 at 8:50 pmCheers Shane, my son concurs. Thankfully many of the younger generation get it too. https://inkyed.wordpress.com/2014/06/16/why-bother-indeed/
So you’re an old swim training partner from Bomo/Nowra?
Cheers
Gina Wilson-Burns
Shane Clifton
June 16, 2014 at 10:23 pmYes, gina – a lifetime ago now.
Shane Clifton
June 16, 2014 at 10:27 pmAnd I just love your blog!
Gina @ Inky Ed!
June 17, 2014 at 12:23 pmthx, will be keeping up with your site now too – it’s good stuff…
just became a PhD widow myself courtesy of this guy 😉 http://disabilitymediamatters.me/