Fighting Chance blog 7

We’re not here for your inspiration . . . I politely disagree

Inspirational: Imparting a divine influence on the mind and soul.

Hi Readers,

I’m writing this article in response to an article by Stella Young that I read on ‘Ramp Up. ‘Ramp Up’ is the ABC website featuring news, discussion, debate and humour for everyone in Australia’s disability communities. Stella Young is a comedian, disability advocate and editor of ‘Ramp Up’. The article “We’re not here for your inspiration” criticises the use of images depicting disabled people doing ‘normal’ things captioned with inspiring quotes intended on encouraging ‘non-disabled’ people to put their worries into perspective, of which Stella disapprovingly labels “inspiration porn”.

In my attempt to respond to her, I’m going to do my very best to advise her to lighten up, encourage her to tone her criticism down and show her that there’s nothing necessarily wrong with being ‘teachably’ inspiring towards others in my similarly entitled blog “We’re not here for your inspiration…I politely disagree”.

I was born with a moderate type of cerebral palsy which means that while I am able to walk using mobility equipment to support me with my physical balance issues, I use a wheelchair for long distances because I get tired. Because my CP is moderate, I sometimes feel reluctantly lucky that I can do the things I can, but despite that, my parents always insisted that I treat myself the same way as everyone else and conduct myself with complete normalcy (whether it’s with your attitude and/or your physical capabilities). So far most of the people that I’ve come across have been encouragingly kind and pleasant towards me.

Although people with a physical disability (like myself) might be doing completely ‘normal’ everyday tasks as Stella so defensively points out. These tasks are in fact challenging for those of us who do not live in a ‘normal’ functioning body. So what then is the dispute over recognising this feat as inspirational? I would argue that to be inspirational one does not need to be extraordinary, rather one can be simply ordinary but in extraordinary circumstances.

As anyone who has a disability will know, growing up can be a real roller-coaster ride. Often you have to search far and wide for inspiration about how you can make your life more meaningful and achieve a sense of purpose and fulfilment. For me, it’s the feat of overcoming obstacles and achieving against the odds that is inspiring, individuals achieving their goals no matter how big or small.

I would argue then, that a photo of a famous athlete with the slogan “you can do it!” “find the power” is no more or less ‘appropriate’ than a picture of an amputee walking on prosthetic legs with the caption “before you give up try”. With the permission of the individual in question how can it be suggested as abusive or disrespectful to advertise ones triumphs in the hope of inspiring others? We all need a little motivational reminder every so often this hardly denotes ‘inspirational porn’.

So, Stella, if you disagree I hereby pose a question: What and/or who would you personally and specifically identify and/or classify as an inspirational person to you?

Maria Makhoul – Fighting Chance in-house blog writer.