Exploitation and Inspiration

During discussion this week, we brought up the idea of the "Super Crip" and how much media attention is given to the feats of disabled people who achieve things that their limitations do not usually allow. It was mentioned in class that this could be in order to inspire other disabled people, and show that they can pursue dreams of normalcy, however, I think that perhaps these stories are geared towards the 'able-bodied' public. These stories often send the message that if this "inferior" person was able to overcome their obstacles in order to do whatever feat they are being praised for, then as a 'normal' people we should be able to do the same. I find this to be exploitative towards the people whose stories are told. It seems that in the way their stories are told they are in a category somewhere in between inferior and normal. The stories are structured around their disabilities, so the main focus tells us that they are not normal, but they achieved something normal people can regardless. With the focus on the disability, they are still in a different category than able-bodied people, making it impossible to merely admire their accomplishments and not their handicap.