Inspiration Porn: The Only Disability In Life Is A Bad Attitude

Recently, I was introduced to something called, inspiration porn.  Inspiration porn is a phrase used to describe an image of a person living their life and doing normal everyday things.  It usually has the caption, "the only disability in life is a bad attitude" and "what is your excuse?"  The purpose is to objectify people with disabilities and to make people who do not have disabilities feel bad about themselves by saying that if a person with a disability can do it, then you can do it, too. There is a stereotype that disabled people are not capable of doing anything.  It tells people with disabilities that we can overcome anything just by being happy and positive.

Here is an example:

People tell me that i am an inspiration when I go to the gym and when I dance, which is awesome and I appreciate that. In this instance, it is OK for people to say that because I am pushing my limits physically.  I just don't want to be an inspiration for things like playing tennis with my dad, or going out for dinner with my friends.  I think people don't mean to offend me, but these comments are not necessary.  I can do anything that an able-bodied person can do. I just do it a different way.

My friend, Scott, has a disability and he is my inspiration. He is one of the nicest and most positive people I know, but that is not why he is an inspiration to me.  He is an inspiration to me because he travels all over the world as a motivational speaker, helping people live a better life. He does it from his wheelchair. He also co-founded the Raise Hope Foundation, which trains, mentors, and places people with disabilities in successful careers in financial services.

Everyone has challenges in life and there are people who are a lot worse off than I am and they do not have a disability.  There are people who still do not have a home or a business, but if as long as they are positive, they are going to be fine. That is not the case.   Everyone is doing the best they can under the circumstances.  I live my life the way I know how and the way I want to. I am just being myself.