GSS2117 - Natalie Doman Blog#10

 

Reflect back about what you knew about disabled sports on the first day of class?

- I have never paid attention to disability sports before. Yes, I have heard of it but just never watched it. The first day of class I got to learn more about inspiration porn. Disability rights campaigner Stella Young created the phrase inspiration porn to characterize the depiction of disabled persons as motivational only because of their impairment. Often, it means motivating or making non-disabled people feel better about their own lives by utilizing tales, pictures, or films of disabled persons performing daily tasks such as attending school, working, or participating in sports. Usually, these depictions emphasize inspiring the audience over really reflecting the reality of the disabled individual. Though sometimes well-meaning, inspiration porn is harmful since it dehumanizes handicapped people, lowers their identity to their impairment, and distracts from the actual obstacles they encounter, such social inequity and inaccessibility. I do remember talking about Timmy in South Park as a part of inspiration porn.

What have you learned?

- Disability sports, sometimes referred to as adapted or para sports, are meant for those with physical, intellectual, or sensory limitations and let them compete and engage in many athletic events. Often these sports use modified rules and equipment to fit the requirements of various disabilities; for example, wheelchair basketball uses comparable rules to conventional basketball but is played in wheelchairs, and goal ball is a sport especially designed for blind or visually impaired athletes. Governed by groups like the International Paralympic Committee, disability sports are highlighted in significant worldwide events as the Paralympic Games, which highlight the amazing skill and drive of athletes with impairments. These activities not only encourage physical health and rivalry but also assist to shatter preconceptions, support inclusion, and empower people inside and outside the sphere of sport.

Has this class changed your mindset towards the value of sports for individuals with a disability?

- Yes, this course has altered my perspective on the significance of sports for people with disabilities. Though I used to see disability sports mostly as a kind of therapy or leisure, I now realize how strong and important they are in terms of competition, identity, and inclusion. Adaptive sports have taught me that they increase independence, social connection, and confidence in addition to physical advantages. Watching how disabled people practice, compete, and overcome obstacles has helped me to understand that athletics can be a vehicle for empowerment and equality, not only inspiration. It has pushed me to consider accessibility more critically and the misconceptions society frequently holds regarding handicap.

Has it changed your mindset about disability and the impact of society? 

-Certainly, it has absolutely altered my perspective on disability and society's influence. Disability is not only about a person's physical or mental state; it is also about how society includes or excludes them and how they respond to them. This course made me realize that many of the difficulties those with disabilities experience are not only personal but rather obstacles brought on by social attitudes, inaccessible surroundings, and limited chances. Disability is as much a social concern as it is a medical one, and genuine inclusion calls for adjustments in our treatment of individuals, design of spaces, and formulation of laws. From viewing disability as a deficit to appreciating it as a component of human diversity that society has to value and accommodate, it has changed my viewpoint.

How will you promote disabled sports with the knowledge you now have? 

Given my current knowledge, I will support disability sports by actively questioning preconceptions and informing people about the ability, commitment, and competitiveness of athletes with impairments. Whether via discussions, social media, or community engagement, I will use my voice to emphasize the need for accessibility and inclusiveness in sports. I can also attend adaptive sporting events, fight for equal funding and media attention, and inspire others to view disability sports as every bit as valid and thrilling as any other athletic event. Most significantly, I will see and respect disabled athletes not as inspirations for merely participating but as skilled people who merit acknowledgment for their accomplishments.