Let's discuss being Disabled. Now, let's discuss being a woman. A wonderful and tantalizing concoction. Such a concoction DOES NOT include the new "hit" reality TV show "Push Girls". Where does a activist/advocate begin? Let's start with, would I encourage young disabled women to watch and take example? N-O. Combating stereotypes is simply the beginning of being a woman with a disability, it should not be the end goal. Nor should being beautiful, let's add our intelligence. That's firepower. As a fellow AAPD member pointed out, they [the women of the show] are not advocates.
They should be.
While it is understandable and even admirable that the women of "Push Girls" are raising an awareness to societal perceptions of disability. Their awareness, however, is limited. They also lack diversity, having all been disabled later in life from spinal cord injuries. If you took a group like AAPD and followed us around, the world would get a clearer-more-balanced understanding of living with a disability. Can we say we're a diverse group of empowered and savvy individuals? Absolutely!
My message to Disabled Youth, embark on the momentum started by the Riott Grrrl scene. Participate in Do-It-Yourself art. Make TV shows. Let "Push Girls" be a seed.
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