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Definition of Special
Special is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “better, greater, or otherwise different from what is usual.” The phrase “special needs” is outdated because it implies that participation in daily life is typical or normal. Calling a disabled person “special” can be patronizing in mundane moments, as society then does not hold the same standards of appearance or ability. (Martin-Hays, 2021, Why am I More Disabled Sitting Down?)
‘Special needs’ is often used as a euphemism for ‘disabled,’ but it is important to see ‘disabled’ as a neutral, not negative, term. The Netflix show Special, which features Ryan O’Connell, an openly gay man with cerebral palsy, explores these themes directly.
Netflix’s Special
The narrative of Special highlights this perspective from the very beginning. Special starts with Ryan getting hit by a car; this accident gives Ryan a strange opportunity to affirm people’s assumptions about his limp being part of that. In an interview with StyleLikeU, Ryan explained that moment as “yes suckers I’m an accident victim now… being in an accident is relatable, where CP is foreign, gross, and no one knows what it is.” Disabled people are not obligated to quell curiosity.
Furthermore, the show’s approach to representation extends to sexuality. “The sexual practices of disabled people are often at odds with ableist and heteronormative approaches that position sex as only ‘penetrative, spontaneous, and physical, ‘ which requires fully-functioning, independent, and mobile embodiment (Liddiard 2013, 18).
Having a Sex Life as Disabled
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This theme is illustrated in an episode where Ryan hires a sex worker. He arrives and at first struggles to get his clothes off, and then his legs are tight, assuming a position. I was surprised that the scene ended with the sex worker complimenting Ryan’s “by far the most limber” client with CP.
Moments in which the CP name-drops demonstrate that others are comfortable with it, even when Ryan isn’t open about it.
“Decades of disability activism and scholarship suggest that disability ‘has the potential to transform sex, creating confusion about “what and who is sexy” and “what counts as sex” Indeed, disabled people have a long and rich history contesting ‘normate sex’.(Fritsch et al., 2016, p. 89)
Society often waives standards of ability for disabled people labeled as ‘special.’ The assertion that disabled people are both ‘desiring subjects and objects of desire’ (McRuer and Mollow 2012,1) is important for contesting their repeated infantilization, de-sexualization, and de-eroticization.
Independence
Special (Netflix) highlights various relationships. In episode two, tension arises between Ryan and his mom over his plans to move out. He eventually does, but the tension persists as she tries to help him struggle.
This tension around independence is a common challenge for many disabled people. Living independently comes with challenges, and sometimes pushing back on protective parents is one of them.
He asks her to leave and then has a handyman put the furniture together. It is the last resort because it does require calling for help.
The show’s depiction of persistence and independence reflects wider societal attitudes. Society assumes life is always an uphill battle for disabled people.
Independence is crucial, but there is more pressure for disabled people to be less reliant on others, even if receiving support is healthy. (Martin-Hays, 2023, Disabled life in the 50s through 90s)
This social pressure also surfaces in Ryan’s social circles. Ryan let his mom assume he did it the next time she came over to set up a housewarming party he wanted. Unfortunately, the friends bailed, but not before texting: “You have a job? You have an apartment?” The texts read like they’re surprised because they did not think about disabled people being independent.
Cerebral Palsy
Those with cerebral palsy are not always affected mentally, and the physical limitations, which could limit their capacities for work, can be overcome with adequate jobs and using systems and procedures adapted to their deficiencies.” (Marco, 70) In O’Connell’s book I’m Special and the Other Lies We Tell Ourselves he wants friends “like you that can commiserate with the random trips and falls or drooling.” In comparison, when he worked for the United Cerebral Palsy Alliance, he saw his normal of going to movies and friends’ houses was very different from others’; he had one foot in the disabled world and the other in the able-bodied world.
References
Dokoza, A. (Director). (2019). Special [TV series]. Netflix.
Fritsch, K., Heynen, R., Ross, A. N., & Van Der Meulen, E. (2016). Disability and sex work: developing affinities through decriminalization. Disability & Society, 31(1), 84-99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2016.1139488
Liddiard, K. 2013. “Sex and Disability.” Current Magazine – Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalous Association of Ontario. Spring/Summer: 18–20
Marco, M. L. (2005). Cerebral Palsy in Cinema. J Med Man 1, 66-76. https://campus.usal.es/~revistamedicinacine/Indice_2005/Revista/numero_3/ing_3_pdf/pcerebral_ing.pdf
Martin-Hays, O. L. (2021). Why am I more disabled sitting down? Ramapo College of New Jersey.
Martin-Hays, O. L. (2023, December 20). Disabled life in the 50s-90s. capableism.blog. https://capableism.blog/disabled-life-in-the-50s-through-90s/
McRuer, R., A. Mollow, eds. 2012. Sex and Disability. Durham: Duke University Press.
O’Connell, R. (2015). I’m special and other lies we tell ourselves. Simon & Schuster.
StyleLikeU. (2014, December 14). Gay with cerebral palsy and owning it: Special’s Ryan O’Connell [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6ALMzu6TPs&t=27s