tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post7403032345146189483..comments2024-03-17T12:02:12.410-04:00Comments on Love That Max : The paradox of disability inspiration and may I admire you, please? Ellen Seidmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-52888670944255189002014-05-23T12:04:33.977-04:002014-05-23T12:04:33.977-04:00I want to thank you for even having this conversat...I want to thank you for even having this conversation. From my thinking, the discussion is the critical part. When I was a young person, no one even discussed these issues. When my daughter was small, we began to ponder these ideas. And now that she is nearly 16 years old, it gives me hope. The discussion of our feelings, thoughts and ideas about disability (or ability) is the best way to bring the world around to a new viewpoint. The future is hopeful when parents of children with cerebral palsy, people with cerebral palsy, and caregivers of people with cerebral palsy can openly talk about our fears, opinions, and HOPES. We lead the way for the "rest of the world" to see every human as valuable. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-35577409044828038662014-02-24T19:22:50.781-05:002014-02-24T19:22:50.781-05:00I think the purpose of disability inspiration is t...I think the purpose of disability inspiration is to make others say "I want to be (positive quality) like that person." It's not to say that you should feel lazy and apathetic because that person is (insert disability here) and content with their life when you aren't. For me, it's an excuse to actually practice and not watch Flight of the Bumblebee videos. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-65571796998071934482014-02-16T16:44:49.636-05:002014-02-16T16:44:49.636-05:00Very well said. And the comments here are so thoug...Very well said. And the comments here are so thoughtful and helpful. Also loved that you were featured on Rachel Held Evan's blog.<br />Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />HeatherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-25293511574744603352014-02-07T09:03:35.512-05:002014-02-07T09:03:35.512-05:00Hadn't seen! Great point, great post.Hadn't seen! Great point, great post. Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-18824212811853386512014-02-07T07:43:02.714-05:002014-02-07T07:43:02.714-05:00Ellen, I understand a lot of what you're sayin...Ellen, I understand a lot of what you're saying here and I wasn't sure if you had seen this recent Huffington Post article from my friend Sarah. It reminded me a lot of your post but focuses on the tendency of SN parents to refer to their children as "heroes." Thought you might find it interesting: <br />http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-sweatt-orsborn/my-child-with-a-disability-is-not-my-hero_b_4689731.htmlMary Evelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03391350462599128358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-20059835429731533472014-02-07T03:30:04.697-05:002014-02-07T03:30:04.697-05:00Exactly how I feel - the occasional bit of inspira...Exactly how I feel - the occasional bit of inspiration porn helps me to keep going as a parent, keep hoping, that one day the lives of my children will be an inspiration to others, because they are able to live it to the max xxLooking for Blue Skyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10010049814419812468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-9140302691322671752014-02-06T22:14:09.201-05:002014-02-06T22:14:09.201-05:00To me, all people are inspirational.To me, all people are inspirational.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-19084907990824837802014-02-06T21:05:25.019-05:002014-02-06T21:05:25.019-05:00Ellen, as a fellow mum I understand completely as ...Ellen, as a fellow mum I understand completely as I've often struggled with this concept myself. I love Stella's words and attitude being a fellow Aussie too! I celebrate everything Cooper does and perhaps over the top sometimes but it's because of where he came from and that he does things over and above what professionals predicted. I too look at adults with cp doing everyday stuff and it's not that I'm inspired it just gives me hope and I'm mainly thinking of their parents and their journeys and relating to that rather than the individual themselves. Smithsholidayroadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03614441021886602077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-52143422263695092052014-02-06T20:44:45.697-05:002014-02-06T20:44:45.697-05:00Ellen,
I am touched and excited that you liked my ...Ellen,<br />I am touched and excited that you liked my blog. I love yours! And I love what you write here. If I can help parents see that the future is bright for their kids then my life's purpose is being fulfilled. xoKathleen Downeshttp://www.thesqueakywheelchair.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-25921885101897779492014-02-06T19:54:31.703-05:002014-02-06T19:54:31.703-05:00Makes perfect sense. In fact, you said what I was...Makes perfect sense. In fact, you said what I was trying to say more elequently than I did. EmilyBright1979https://www.blogger.com/profile/13570578952825033967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-86041133014164798652014-02-06T18:17:03.533-05:002014-02-06T18:17:03.533-05:00Ellen, thank you so much for linking to my post ab...Ellen, thank you so much for linking to my post about inspiration porn!! Kathleen, who writes "The Squeaky Wheelchair", is my very best friend and I'm sure she'll be thrilled as well!!Cara Liebowitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11860032209178249016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-77232919734825204392014-02-06T15:51:38.894-05:002014-02-06T15:51:38.894-05:00Ellen, like you, when I see Max or another child w...Ellen, like you, when I see Max or another child with CP or other disabilities being successful, even in ordinary every-day things, it gives me hope for our son Zac. Max is definitely an inspiration for me with regards to my hopes for Zac as they have many similarities. I do not see anything wrong with us parents being inspired this way.<br /><br />KevinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-73151278788468980232014-02-06T15:22:23.797-05:002014-02-06T15:22:23.797-05:00There is the girl in my geometry class that has 2 ...There is the girl in my geometry class that has 2 hearing aids and uses an FM system.And no sadly we are not friends but I recently discovered the reason: My confindence. I am not afriad to talk about my FM and carry it along while she is. This probaly is partly due to the fact that I have been in the district and have known some of my classmates since Kindgergarden while shemoved here in the middle of 8th grade.(we are in 10th) Anyway she said I inspire her. It would be more awkward if it was someone without a disablity and not a person who shared it.(plus we have mutal friends and actually met b/c of our hearing aids, in the nurses office on her 1st day)Kathrynnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-78387640170129806082014-02-06T13:45:20.652-05:002014-02-06T13:45:20.652-05:00So true about being caught off guard - in that sit...So true about being caught off guard - in that situation and in others when people out of the blue want to talk about our disabilities. Odds are that our minds are somewhere else and we're suddenly called on to explain a complex and very personal topic. We either have to answer (which often leads to more questions) or say we won't talk about it. Both options are awkward. Suddenly we are weighing two awkward options when we just wanted olives. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-37977350646946017212014-02-06T13:34:58.827-05:002014-02-06T13:34:58.827-05:00I, as a person with a disability, think you hit th...I, as a person with a disability, think you hit the nail on the head.<br />Giving hope or insight are different things than inspiration and it's<br />baggage. Great post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-63725010976645479742014-02-06T13:31:10.072-05:002014-02-06T13:31:10.072-05:00Thanks for responding.
It does make sense. I do ...Thanks for responding. <br />It does make sense. I do get it.<br />I think it's just hard for use because it all runs together.<br />Sometimes being called an inspiration is an insult.'<br />Maybe we need a more exact language.<br />All is cool. I'm still a big ole' fan of yours.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-53546579552704827342014-02-06T12:41:22.902-05:002014-02-06T12:41:22.902-05:00Oh, and I meant to add: I definitely see the diffe...Oh, and I meant to add: I definitely see the difference between the parent perspective and the "inspirational" memes that pop up all over the place. Though slightly different, even as a disabled person, I find myself inspired by other disabled people at times. There's such a delicate balance though, between being objectified and being shown genuine respect and admiration. This post definitely points to that.Emily @ Words I Wheel Byhttp://wordsiwheelby.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-78304901025172955222014-02-06T12:38:13.748-05:002014-02-06T12:38:13.748-05:00I know the lovely ladies who wrote both posts on i...I know the lovely ladies who wrote both posts on inspiration porn that you referenced. This was such an interesting perspective you shared. I wrote a post breaking down an example of inspiration porn: <a href="http://wordsiwheelby.com/2013/10/cracked-inspiration-porn/" rel="nofollow">Cracked Article is an Unusual Type of Inspiration Porn</a><br /><br />I have strong feelings against inspiration porn, but your perspective is so valuable.Emily @ Words I Wheel Byhttp://wordsiwheelby.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-63493784069008512712014-02-06T12:29:44.326-05:002014-02-06T12:29:44.326-05:00This is just my personal feeling, but to me the di...This is just my personal feeling, but to me the difference between "Inspiration Porn" and something genuinely positive is all about context and depth. Facebook photos with gooey captions is "Inspiration Porn" to me. A totally random stranger giving a generic "drive by" compliment then vanishing is "Inspiration Porn".<br /><br />But a parent who thinks before they speak, and carefully, respectfully, and sincerely says, "You inspire me because I have a disabled child and seeing you as a successful adult gives me hope", I can't object to that. To me, that's almost Peer Counseling. Personally, I very much want parents of special needs kids to meet adults with disabilities, see what the possibilities are, and maybe engage in conversation about disability from the disabled person's perspective. But all that is the opposite of superficial.<br /><br />Setting is important, too. Obviously, if you want to avoid superficiality, then the supermarket isn't the best place for such and encounter. You're welcomed to feel what you feel when you see someone who gives you hope, but you don't HAVE to try and share your feelings with one or two hastily thought up sentences. The disabled person in that situation is, among other things, caught off guard. She's wondering where the olives are, and someone suddenly wants to talk about inspiration and what the future holds for disabled children. Not fair! Understandable, but awkward.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm very glad you wrote about this. It's helpful to get another perspective.apulranghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16133974049950425863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-91634068953450924582014-02-06T12:24:56.895-05:002014-02-06T12:24:56.895-05:00Laura....
"As an adult with CP, I have to be ...Laura....<br />"As an adult with CP, I have to be honest, I've struggled with this. On one hand, it annoys me that people think I am 'inspirational' because I have a job, volunteer, etc. I don't view anything I do as extraordinary in any way; as stated in the blog, I am just living my life in a way I feel called to do so. On the other hand, when I meet someone and their view of differently abled people changes and they say it has changed because of me, I feel humbled in a way. Truth is I suppose, we all admire people for one reason or another. I know I admire a lot of people, some of whom lead very 'ordinary' lives; it doesn't however take away from all they have given me.". You. Are. An. Inspiration!! To me, your humility stands out as being admirable!! ;)<br />--Raelyn<br />Mary Louhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01005199691237610718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-3318857202838480472014-02-06T12:18:26.580-05:002014-02-06T12:18:26.580-05:00Ellen....
While I cannot speak for Anonymous here,...Ellen....<br />While I cannot speak for Anonymous here, it makes perfect sense to me!! ;)<br />--Raelyn Mary Louhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01005199691237610718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-74167250178649974772014-02-06T11:59:10.142-05:002014-02-06T11:59:10.142-05:00As an adult with CP, I have to be honest, I've...As an adult with CP, I have to be honest, I've struggled with this. On one hand, it annoys me that people think I am "inspirational" because I have a job, volunteer, etc. I don't view anything I do as extraordinary in any way; as stated in the blog, I am just living my life in a way I feel called to do so. On the other hand, when I meet someone and their view of differently abled people changes and they say it has changed because of me, I feel humbled in a way. Truth is I suppose, we all admire people for one reason or another. I know I admire a lot of people, some of whom lead very "ordinary" lives; it doesn't however take away from all they have given me. I don't know if I am making any sense Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11291885443082529538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-55513094012145385092014-02-06T11:38:15.820-05:002014-02-06T11:38:15.820-05:00I totally get why the inspiration thing can be hur...I totally get why the inspiration thing can be hurtful. But the point I was trying to make is that it's different when it comes from the parent of a child of special needs. You give us real hope. We are not the people thinking, "Wow! She's trying so hard!!" or "Wow! She's overcome such hardship!" We are the people thinking, "Wow, you're doing exactly what I hope my child will do." Not because you are super-human, but because you are a vision of what we'd like to see in our own children someday. Does that make sense? Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-54124587749807453062014-02-06T11:31:59.385-05:002014-02-06T11:31:59.385-05:00Emily....
"I am the adult with CP who, for th...<br />Emily....<br />"I am the adult with CP who, for the most part has never let anyone's expectations of what I should or shouldn't do stop me. I am a librarian, who happens to have a significant mobility challenge.". You. Inspire me!! I've let people's expectations of what I should or shouldn't do stop me. And I haven't got any of your challenges!! You go, girl!! ;)<br />--Raelyn<br /><br />Mary Louhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01005199691237610718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-23934724507823957672014-02-06T11:23:23.444-05:002014-02-06T11:23:23.444-05:00Ellen....
You quoted Scott Hamilton!! As in the fo...Ellen....<br />You quoted Scott Hamilton!! As in the former Olympic figure skater? I love Scott Hamilton!! And I just remembered something!! As of, like, right now!! This quotation was featured in Scott Hamilton's book, "Landing It"--which I underlined--they were, if memory serves me, his Mother's words. ;)<br />"It's there so that non-disabled can look at us and think, 'Well, it could be worse...I could be that person.'." First off. As a learning disabled individual, I never look at people like my dear childhood friend, for instance, who has cerebral palsy, and think that. Yet she does inspire me!! {Despite our paths having been severed} My friend cannot walk, uses a wheelchair, isn't toilet trained, needs tons of "support", and the only word she can say is a wholehearted "Hi". When my friend giggles? You just have to smile!! Much smarter than what people give her credit for, I saw my friend at our zoo several years back. We originally met at church but I had no longer attended that congregation. Our lives went separate ways. When I greeted this friend, she rolled back her eyes, squeezed my hands, and said "Hi". I believe that my friend remembered me after so many years apart!! You know what? As a misunderstood often made fun of oddball growing up, this very special girl was, easily, my most faithful friend of all!! Now that is inspiration. ;-D<br />By the way. Max does inspire me!! He is one amazing dude!! ;)<br />--Raelyn<br />PS. Lest anybody wonder. I do love the idea of inspiration porn!! Way to go!! ;)<br /><br />Mary Louhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01005199691237610718noreply@blogger.com