Inspiration Porn Is Horrific

Inspiration porn is the term used for stories that discuss things non-disabled individuals do for disabled individuals and see as "special" because the recipient is disabled.  It is basically to make the non-disabled community feel good about how they treat the disabled.  These stories usually contain a disabled individual who was (through one of many ways) "included" in something "normal individuals" get to participate in.  Whether it's a dance, or the story of the sports team that let a disabled individual make a score or the woman at a Meijer grocery store who accepted a poorly designed cake from an autistic employee.  The stories are supposed to be about how the community has "accepted" the individual, when they are actually singling them out for their own emotional gain. These stories come to light on social media and are called "inspiring."

These stories are not inspiring to individuals who actually have disabilities.  These stories feel more like pity.  We must pity the disabled individual and try and include them because they can't direct themselves properly through life.  This is a very close minded view.  It's like being told to automatically help an individual in a wheelchair when they haven't asked for that help.  Many individuals in wheelchairs I have met are very frustrated with how people treat them.  They automatically assume the individual can't do anything and need help. Well, the ones I know are extremely independent and strong willed.  They have worked hard to not be dependent and prefer to be left alone.

Inspiration porn is a disgusting act that makes disabled individuals look incompetent and needy.

The recent post of the woman accepting a poorly decorated cake by an autistic employee is a massive punch in the stomach for me.  There are so many things wrong with the story.  The employee did something she was not supposed to do, which is wrong.  She could have called an employee who is allowed to decorate cakes to come and perform the task.  Next, the employees at the cash register told them customer the other employees diagnosis without her knowledge.  This is extremely bad as legally, the employer isn't allowed to ask what an employees disability or medical condition is unless it disrupts the employees work.  Then, the employer must request a written statement from the employees physician and give acceptable accommodation.  The employer has no right to disclose the employees diagnosis to anyone, unless with the permission of the employee.  So, the employees going out of their way to disclose the fellow employees diagnosis without her knowledge or permission is extremely wrong and should be disciplined for the action.

The other issue I have with this story is that the individual who is the subject of the story was not allowed to give her side.  She was seen as an object basically.  The only defining element besides being female, was being autistic.  While autism effects every aspect of us, it is not the only part of us.  I do call myself an autistic as it is such an integral part of my life, but it should not be the only thing that defines me.  I have many other qualities and would prefer those to be seen as well and even held higher than my autism.

We are disabled, but we are not defined by our disabilities.  Only the individual is allowed to make them self defined by their disability, no one else.  Stop seeing the disabled as something to pity or something to be inspired by.  It is NOT inspirational to want to live.  The desire to live is a natural instinct that is connected to the fight or flight response. Doing something you want or need to do is not inspirational either. Everyone is allowed to choose what they do.  We are allowed to have interests and do what we want without it being "inspirational." We are not a spectacle, we are not something to be pitied and we are definitely not something to call inspirational.  We are human and we are living our lives how we want to, with or without a disability.