Beyond ‘Special Needs’: Disability, Desire, and Independence in Netflix’s Special

Photo by jonakoh _ on Unsplash 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 The phrase “special needs” is outdated because it implies that participation in daily life is typical or normal.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, […]

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The Ability of the Aesthetically Pleasing Paralympian

The Paralympics are a celebration. Stephan Halking opened the ceremony with “We are all different. There is no standard or run-of-the-mill human being.”  You might donate money to foundations during awareness months, but in pride months, you march and find community.  (Martin-Hays 2022 Disabled Pride Vs Awareness) Rising Phoenix Documentary  Netflix’s Rising Phoenix “With this

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Paralympic & Olympic Athletes Differ in Marketing Not Skill

  Photo by Bo Zhang on Unsplash The Olympics and the Paralympics are both global events showcasing exceptional athletes. The Paralympics, named for running parallel to the Olympics rather than for any single disability, Sir Ludwig Guttmann founded the Paralympics after recognizing a universal desire and benefit in athletic participation among people with spinal cord

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Stranger Things Effect on Online Searches for Rare Condition

Photo by Rafal Werczynski from Unsplash Blockbuster Television and the Power of Nostalgia Since Stranger Things on Netflix wrapped its fifth season, the discussion has revolved around plotholes, queerbaiting, and Eleven’s fate. As the series aired, Netflix crashed more than once due to the number of viewers. Stranger Things was a cultural event TV show. By the

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Modern Pitfalls of Portraying Rare Conditions. Sickle Cell Anemia on The Pitt& Supacell

Aakash Dhage from Unsplash Medical Definition of Rare Rare diseases, as defined by the Cleveland Clinic, affect roughly 1 in 200,000 people. These diseases present unique challenges, including difficulties in diagnosis, community support, and securing research funding. Given the media’s significant influence, there is a strong opportunity to shape public awareness and drive funding for rare, often neglected

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Beyond the Fantastic Four, Into Romantic Sides of Disability

“I feel like most people watch superhero movies and are like That’s fiction. So I don’t understand why, because there’s a blind superhero and people have blurred the line between fiction and reality.” –Molly Burke  Blurring Fiction and Reality One reason people may blur the lines is that there are so few points of reference

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Cracking Jokes or Cracking Dignity? Disability, Media, and Jokes:

Laughter as Medicine Cracking jokes can release tension and help you find people who “get you.” Self-deprecation and laughing at someone are distinctly different. Many jokes can really only be said by a specific identified group.  Humor and the Disability Community The disability community is one that anyone can join at any point. Because of

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Flame On: Marvel’s Family Foundation

Before The Marvel Cinematic Universe From Shovit Chettri on Unsplash Preceding the MCU were Superman (1978), Spider-Man (2002), and Fantastic Four (2005).Those films set standards that the MCU built on. Superman was my Dad’s favorite, Spider-Man was my brother’s, and Fantastic Four was mine.Many Superheroes are orphans, and a chosen family of superheroes can feature different abilities. The film’s 1960s-inspired

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