<p>Social Challenges Facing The Disabled</p><p>Shawna Mongiat</p><p>Dr. Douglas Luckie, PhD. LBS-492 December 15, 2005 “The girl holding the door open for me looked horrified. I was going to class in </p><p>Holden Hall, and I noticed as I got closer to the door that she had been holding it open for me for a good two minutes. ‘I can get the door myself, you know,’ I told the girl as I maneuvered my wheelchair through the door. Her response? ‘You can?’ Shock and amazement. Her reaction, however, reminded me of how ignorant people can be about people with disabilities.” This statement is from an article written by Rebecca McNulty, published in the April 16, 2004 issue of The State News. It illustrates just one of the challenges faced by one in five Americans each day. Of these challenges, many are the result of a stereotypical society.</p><p>Not only are disabled Americans subject to stereotypes from the public, but misrepresentations in the media as well. Paralympian, actress, and fashion model Aimee </p><p>Mullins has faced such challenges from the media, through magazine articles, television interviews, and newspapers. Every story would target her disability—a below-the-knee amputee with a set of prostheses—even though the supposed focus was something completely unrelated (Riley 2005). The media had classified her as a “miracle of modern medicine,” using headlines such as “Nothing Stops Her,” “Profile in Courage,” and </p><p>“Overcoming All Hurdles.” Her “inspiring” saga has been recycled time and time again by journalists who mean well for an audience that can’t seem to get enough of the feel- good message, while they never discover who Mullins really is. Sadly, notable accomplishments she has achieved, such as being an intern for the Pentagon while making the Dean’s List as an academic star in history and diplomacy at Georgetown, are simply never brought to light (Riley 2005). Why is it that a person’s disability must be pointed out if it is not necessary to do so? It appears to be a common trend in the media that if a story is about a person who happens to be disabled, it is imperative to include their handicap, regardless of whether or not it applies. To the public, the audience, the story automatically becomes more intriguing; Wow! She’s an actress and a model? And on top of that she’s in a wheelchair? That’s so amazing! In the entertainment industry, issues for the disabled are often never noticed. How often are those with disabilities portrayed in television shows or movies as “normal people?” It seems that whenever a person with a disability is cast, it is because that character in the film or show is disabled, with their handicap playing a central part in their role. Also, in the advertising world, how frequently are those with disabilities cast as models for hair care products, makeup, and a number of other things (Longmore 1987). Unfortunately, it seems as though our society might not be able to handle viewing those with a disability as “normal,” and would inevitably focus on the disability and how it pertained. </p><p>Just as the media will falter on giving an unbiased depiction of the disabled, our views as a society are also skewed. For someone who isn’t familiar with those who are disabled, an initial encounter can be filled with shock and even horror. This reaction can be accredited to the relative lack of familiarity with the disabled and to the presence of certain mythologies about people with disabilities which persist and are perpetuated in modern culture (Woodill 1994). One common misconception is that those who are physically handicapped are also mentally challenged. This often is not the case. Just because someone was born with a physical ailment, or rendered disabled after an accident does not equate to them being mentally “slower” than anyone else. One example of such a scenario has been experienced by Erin Morgan, a sophomore in high school that had been involved in a terrible car accident. Even though she was left paralyzed from the waist down, her brain received no damage. However, when she wished to return to her high school, she was told that she would be assigned to Special Education classes, as opposed to her old repertoire. Other than the fact that she was now wheelchair-bound, how was she any different than before the accident? That is the question Morgan had to push, fighting for a sense of normalcy. Also, being removed from her old classes would mean that she would rarely be able to see or socialize with her friends at school, proving an obvious emotional strain. In the end, she decided on home schooling. </p><p>Another challenge faced by Morgan is one that is faced by many others who are disabled—socializing. Many people have a difficult time fully understanding the needs of those with a disability. Often times contact with the disabled is avoided, either due to fears of awkwardness or a lack of patience to provide the assistance necessary. As a result, many of those with disabilities (especially those left handicapped due to an accident or illness) must face the challenge of making new friends. Furthermore, even keeping those friends that were always there can be tough. Certainly this is not the fault of the disabled. Rather, it is based upon that friend’s decision to distance themselves, for whatever reason (Morgan 2005).</p><p>Many people would admit that they consciously notice those with disabilities, whether they are physical or mental (Morgan 2005). However, everyone reacts to disabilities in different ways. For example, someone who is comfortable carrying on conversation with a person who is blind may be apprehensive about doing the same with one who suffers from mental retardation. Often times, a person may feel self-conscious or worried about saying or doing the wrong thing in dealing with someone who is disabled, and are then concerned that their discomfort will be perceived as insensitivity or rejection (Miller and Sammons 1999). On the other hand, some may view the disabled as a hassle, or simply just lack respect for them. It may seem foolish at first to think that someone might disrespect or harass a person with a disability, but unfortunately it does occur. Some of these instances may not be deliberate, but others surely are. After all, there is a big difference between someone staring at a person in a wheelchair and openly mocking someone who is disabled. Of course, even though not all of these actions are intentional, they can be prevented. The issue that often gets ignored, or is difficult to understand, is how that person with the disability feels about it all.</p><p>No one likes to feel disrespected. No one likes to be treated as though they are incapable. It is understandable how frustrating it must be for someone with a disability to deal with a society that seems to be so ignorant about their situation. In general, those with disabilities want to be “equal” to as far an extent as possible. They strive to be independent, and only ask for help when necessary. In her article in The State News, </p><p>Rebecca McNulty discusses some of the frustrating situations experienced by those with disabilities. In relaying a story from social science major Kim Borowicz, McNulty writes, “A few weeks ago, at a conference, I was dragged along by an overly helpful individual. After identifying myself as a person with a vision impairment, he offered me his arm to guide me along. I responded, saying that I did not need sighted guide and that I was capable of walking to the proposed destination on my own. He then grabbed my arm and pulled me along, 'guiding me.' This was incredibly annoying, especially because the </p><p>'helpful' individual provides audio description services for the blind and visually impaired, so for him not to understand how to assist an individual with a disability was incredibly disheartening.” Another account in the book Everybody’s Different is told by </p><p>Jenny Morris. She says, “Nondisabled people feel that our differentness gives them the right to invade our privacy and make judgements about our lives. Our physical characteristics evoke such strong feelings that people often have to express them in some way…Many of us have experienced someone coming up and asking us intimate things about our lives. Our physical differences makes our bodies public property…It’s pity that motivates that kind of reaction, not empathy (Miller and Sammons 1999).” In the same book, Diane G. Callahan states, “Some people look at us with pity in their eyes. I wish more people would think, ‘Isn’t it terrific that they’re out and getting around and not letting their disability keep them from doing things?’ (Miller and Sammons 1999).” One might assume that a person with a disability struggles with such emotions as described, simply based on observation. However, hearing what those with disabilities actually have to say is really an eye-opener. We begin to evaluate our own behavior and reactions. As stated before, such misunderstandings and awkward behaviors can be solved.</p><p>It is obvious that it is difficult to ignore the misrepresentations of the media and the social stigmas. The main goal in combating this challenge is awareness. Information increases comfort, which can be illustrated with many things in life (Miller and Sammons</p><p>1999). There are many available resources to educate about disability, whether it be you or someone else. These can range from noting articles about people with disabilities to personal experiences someone who is disabled. Either way, more education inevitably leads to better understanding. Those with disabilities have made themselves heard, asserted their legal rights, and moved out of group homes and institutions. It is up to us</p><p>—society—to decide how we feel about human differences. One huge step in this direction is by teaching such ideas in the home. </p><p>“Children are understandably curious about disabled people and often stare at them, only to have their parents yank their arms and say, ‘Don’t Look.’ Nothing could better communicate to a child a sense of horror for disability,” states Robert F. Murphy </p><p>(Miller and Sammons 1999). While adults can have a certain amount of control over how active a role they wish to take in learning about disability, children must be guided. </p><p>Often they will simply mirror how the parent responds. Thankfully, many children today are growing up in much more culturally and generally diverse neighborhoods and schools. As a result, the goal of exposing them to people with differences, disabled or not, is much more attainable. If children learn early on that everyone is different, they can avoid having to “unlearn” so many stereotypes as they grow up (Miller and Sammons</p><p>1999). The key, again, is awareness.</p><p>It has been estimated that, at some point in our lives, 90% of us will become mentally or physically disabled, whether it be as minor as a broken arm or as serious as </p><p>Alzheimer’s Disease. How, then, could our society possibly ignore this? How could our nation’s largest minority group be lagging so far behind others in terms of progress for equality? Each of us must reexamine our comfort zones for differences, confront our own ignorance, fears, and confusion, and ultimately act on our higher goals for a better, fully-inclusive society (Miller and Sammons 1999). REFERENCES</p><p>Longmore, Paul K. “Screening Stereotypes: Images of Disabled People in Television and Motion Pictures.” Images of the Disabled, Disabling Images. Praeger Publishers, 1987. pgs 65-67.</p><p>McNulty, Rebecca. “Don’t assume disabled always need help, capable on their own” The State News. April 16, 2004.</p><p>Miller, Nancy B. and Sammons, Catherine C. Everybody’s Different. Paul H. Brooks Publishing Co., Inc., 1999.</p><p>Morgan, Erin. Personal Interview. November 6, 2005.</p><p>Riley, Charles A. Disability and the Media: Prescriptions for Change. University Press of New England, 2005.</p><p>Woodill, Gary. “The Social Semiotics of Disability.” Disability is Not Measles. L’Institut Roeher Institute, 1994. pgs 208-209.</p>