My Experience with Disabilities and Views on Inspiration Porn

Before diving into my personal experiences with persons who have disabilities, I think that it is important to have a full understanding of what exactly a disability is and or can be. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a disability is an impairment affecting an individual’s physical and or mental capacities, in which difficulties surface regarding certain activities and interactions. These conditions can appear at birth or later in life as a result of certain events, such as an accident or stroke. 

For well over a year now, I have worked at Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute as a Rehabilitation Technician. In this 38-bed inpatient acute care facility, I have encountered hundreds of individuals, ranging from ages 22 to 103, each with their own story as to how they ended up there. Most commonly, patients undergoing treatment are recovering from stroke, brain injury, amputation, trauma, orthopedic injury, or a surgical procedure. Each patient’s therapy plan is personalized to best fit his or her needs, goals, function, and overall quality of life. 

My work responsibilities are countless. Besides making and distributing the schedule and taking patients to and from their therapy sessions, I facilitate the meal management program under direct supervision of the Speech and Occupational therapists. This program is designed for those who may need assistance when eating, as a result of their condition. Many patients involved in this program have experienced some form of stroke and are now faced with physical deficits, weakness, and or aphasia. Through the use of weighted utensils, modified diets, thickened liquids, and personal assistance, these individuals work to regain their sense of normalcy and function in tasks as simple as eating, drinking, and feeding themselves. 

Throughout their duration of stay, patients undergo three hours of therapy, five days a week. Sessions consist of physical and occupational therapies, and speech when it is needed. One of the most common goals among my patients is simply to get out of the facility. Many, but not all, are extremely determined to overcome their current obstacles and move on with their lives to either obtain their old state of being or adapt to their new normal. They do not want to be treated as a charity case or constantly pitied, they want to be treated just as any other individual, in the way they were prior to their admission. Many of these people also do not want to be defined by their new condition or disability, as it does not make them who they are or will be as a result of it. This is mind, it is safe to say they do not want to fall victim to the “inspiration porn” phenomenon that has come to consume modern day media. 

“Inspiration porn” is a term created by Stella Young, a disability activist, in which pictures, videos, and or stories of disabled individuals are shared and praised for them often partaking in “ordinary” tasks. Though conceived with good intentions, the concept is rather degrading and objectifying. It is made to inspire able bodied individuals and encourage them to view those with disabilities in a desirable and positive light. These media depictions are often captioned with phrases such as “if they can do it, so can you,” “what’s your excuse?,” '”so moving,” and more of the like. Many of these kinds of posts will surface on my own social media feeds, and I would be lying if I did not say that I did view some of them as motivational or inspirational. However, it is through working with my patients that I have really come to understand the reality of this concept and just how degrading it can be. These individuals do not want to be viewed as different or special because of their circumstances, they want to be seen just as able bodied as the next.