CNN is
reporting on the inspirational story of Bailey Roby, a high school senior at
Mountain Vista High who is on the Varsity basketball team. The article describes Roby’s persistence and
skills on the court, as a double amputee.
He has been an amputee since birth, and has worn prosthetics since the
age of one.
In our
discussions in class, and the articles we read on disability, it is the perfect
example of the “dual position” that Emma Loja discusses. This dual position for disabled persons
refers to the admiration that the athletes receive, but of course because they
overcome the obstacle of their disability.
Roby is only being recognized in this article, not because he is the
best player on the team, but because of his disability.
I have
mixed feelings about this article. While it is admirable for CNN to report on a
local high school basketball team, and a local player, bringing the “inspirational”
story only further depicts disabilities as a novelty. The fact that Roby doesn’t have legs hasn’t
prevented him from doing anything that other boys his age are able to do is
something to respect, but the perspective that it is something out of the norm
is also insulting. Several persons with disabilities are able to do things that
“normal” people are able to do, and even if they cannot accomplish things like play
basketball, that’s ok too.
Basically,
my point is, that their disability doesn’t make them abnormal. Roby is an individual, who just so happens to
not have “real legs.”
Sources:
Emma Loja’s Disability, embodiment and ableism: Stories of
resistance.
I too have mixed feelings about this coverage. As you mention, Roby is only getting attention because of his disability, only serving to place him in a category of not normal. What would be nice to see is if public discourse would highlight individuals for the positive things that they are doing, for themselves, their families, and/or society. However, public discourse, especially around disability, instead highlights these types of stories, labeling them as 'inspirational' and 'courageous.' Lacking the ideal, I wonder how stories of this fashion can contribute to a better understanding of disability, and a breaking down of stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteThough not exact, there are parallels in this story with Jason Collins and Michael Sam. As the first two openly, publicly, gay athletes to play, or who will play, in the NBA and NFL, their stories have received notable media attention, likely beyond what they would receive otherwise. Jason Collins has been a bench player for most of his 12-year career, yet his signing yesterday was one of the top headlines in the sports world. Michael Sam is expected to be drafted in the 3rd or 4th round, yet his interview at the NFL Combine was one of the most widely covered.
Both Collins and Sam, as well as Roby, are breaking down stereotypes and assumptions present in our public discourse around different groups. Stories similar to these, may be a mix of creating a 'dual position' and changing public perception/discourse. The line is admittedly quite thin.
When we were discussing disabilities in class I briefly mentioned my personal experience with it. My father was infected with polio when he was 3yrs old in a rural town in Northern Mexico back in the 1960s. Because of the superstitious nature of Mexican society, mothers were reluctant to have their children vaccinated, and several children in this town became infected with polio and they developed some form of paralysis. My father was only affected on his right leg, however many others were not as lucky and were paralyzed in both legs and some even upper body parts. Though my father never directly stated that he was seen as a burden in his family and they were ashamed of him, his stories say it all. He always tried to hide the fact that he had a disfigured leg, trying to run faster than other boys, trying to climb higher trees, etc. One of my aunt’s was paralyzed in both legs (living in the same village) and she was kept locked in her room most of the time, only let out once in a while where she would drag herself down the streets because they could not afford a wheelchair.
ReplyDeleteThis mentality that disabilities make someone inhuman saddens me. My father and my aunt are only two among thousands of disabled people who were treated differently because of something they had no control over. I am very proud of my father; he has been very successful, and though for the first years living in Colorado he limited his activities because he didn’t want others to become aware of his disability, I am proud of how far he has come. I always remember my father never wanting to go to the pool for fear of having to expose himself, but finally we convinced him and one day he met another man who was in the same position as him and he was so excited. They talked for hours about their lives and different techniques they used to walk, run, jump, etc. After meeting that man, my father showed more pride in who he was and he tired hiding his disability less and less. Even though he sometimes enjoys the extra help and kindness from others, in general everyone should be treated equally, and not just because someone is disabled they should be treated any different.
Throughout the discussion of disabilities of varying kinds in class, I kept thinking of those who are disabled, but is not easily identified. I'm talking about the disabilities that you can't see, and you can't hear, but affect peoples lives all the same. My little brother has a learning disability, that has left him in limbo for most of his life. From an outward appearance, he is what people like to call "normal," whatever that is. He can shoot baskets, make his own lunch, text on his cell phone and mow the lawn. But, his learning disability has prevented him from excelling in school. He oscillates from the "bad-kid" classes, special needs classes and some basic developmental classes. And in places like middle and high school, what a place to be. He doesn't fit in anywhere. Not with the kids in special education, because he operates on a different level than they do. They know it, and he knows it. He is pretty good at sports, but isn't accepted by kids in those circles because they know he is different too. So even though his disability isn't exactly debilitating, on some levels, it certainly is. His self-confidence, self-image and personal identity are so skewed because all he can see is how others see him. He really is one of the sweetest, kindest and most thoughtful person I have ever met. And yet, he belongs nowhere. He shared with me when he was younger that he almost wished he had a physical disability, so he would actually fit in somewhere. The discriminative and often cruel nature of this world often leaves the disabled behind. So where does that leave the semi-disabled? Searching for their identity, from what I can see.
ReplyDelete