b'Life with MSBBeenneevvoolleennttAAbblleeiissmmRReeiinnffoorrcceessFFaallsseeIIddeeaassAAbboouuttWWhhaattiissPPoossssiibblleeDDiissaabbiilliittyyiissppaarrttoofftthheeffuullllrraannggeeoffhhuummaanneexxppeerriieenncceeoYoure such an inspiration. admiration, the authors point out, but when These well-meaning words rub manyordinary activities of daily living are portrayed disabled people the wrong way. Why? Theas heroic and used to motivate appreciation phrase is often associated with a specic typeamong those with more privileged lives, of ableism referred to as inspiration porn.frustration and misunderstanding can result. The word ableism is usually applied toWhen people with disabilities engaging negativebiasesagainstindividuals within typical daily activitiessuch as pursuing disabilitiesfor example, assuming someoneromantic relationships, participating in exercise, in a wheelchair is less intelligent or capableattaining higher education, or developing a than someone who is nondisabled. How cancareerare held up as inspirational, this a positive statement about a disabled personimplies these achievements are abnormal be ableism?for disabled people. These are things many In their article Hostile, Benevolent, andpeople with disabilities can accomplish with Ambivalent Ableism, Michelle R. Nario-Redmond,appropriate accommodation and support.I nssppiirraattiioonnppoorrnnAlexia A. Kemerling, and Arielle SilvermanInexplore this phenomenon of labeling disabledInspiration porn reinforces the false idea that people as inspirational as a form of benevolentpeople with disabilities cannot expect to have ableism.the same kind of goals and accomplishments B as nondisabled people. In turn, these lowered Beenneevvoolleennttaabblleeiissmm expectations for what disabled people can do Benevolent ableism is a mindset that appearsstop nondisabled people from truly appreciating positive but ultimately reinforces ableist attitudesthe obstacles people with disabilities face and and societal norms by patronizing, overprotecting,working to create a more equitable system or or pitying individuals with disabilities. As theoffer meaningful support.journal article explains, Inspiration porn describesFor example, in calling a disabled college the objectication of disabled people portrayedgraduate inspirational, we acknowledge that as specimens of wonder and amazement its harder for a person with disabilities to perhaps as a way to motivate those withoutachieve this milestone, but we dont examine disabilities to self-improve. For example, socialwhether that must be the case. Cant changes media often depicts visibly disabled peoplebe made to the educational system to give engaged in sporting or recreational eventsdisabled learners the same access to education with the caption, So what is your excuse? as nondisabled learners? Why isnt it normal Its not that disabled people arent worthy offor physically disabled students to have the msfocusmagazine.org 14 msfocusmagazine.org'