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How Research Frames Structural Stigma and Social Identity

Intersectionality Research Intersectional research begins by questioning and critiquing how the media represent marginalized groups. Scholars first note the potency and the growing number of mediums for consuming content. Establishing a wealth of stereotypes and a history of stigma and discrimination for gender, race, class, and so on. The focus of identity in these studies […]

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Resilience is Not What You Think

  Being in between, or in some ways, able-bodied and disabled. In qualitative disability research, participants described transitioning between and separating “disabled” and “able-bodied” worlds. To transition is“an integration of “physical, social, cultural and institutional elements” (Stewart et al. 2001, p.7). Common Dialogue All these elements can be part of creating an environment in which

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Body Positivity is Rooted in Intersections of Bodily Stigma

“Generations of people are shaped by the “politically correct” ways to address topics such as disability. There is a latency between social acceptance and civil rights movements.  Generations of people become complacent in what was considered the status quo when they were coming- of- age.” (Martin-Hays, 2022)  Body Positivity Message  In comparison to the broader

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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 The phrase “special needs” is outdated because it implies that participation in daily life is typical or normal.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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Superman’s Legacy: How did Christopher Reeve Embodied Hope On and Off Screen?

You’ll Believe a Man Can Fly That was the slogan for the 1978 film starring Christopher Reeves as Superman.  Before Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man, audiences only had one movie as an on-ramp to the world of bright spandex suits and superhuman people.  The year prior, Star Wars debuted, exposing audiences to

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The Fantasy of Nick Nelson: Deconstructing Heartstopper’s Heartthrob

In the YouTube video “Why we all Love Nick Nelson (too much),” LoopingLuis explains that Heartstopper is a family show, and the two shirtless scenes of Nick in seasons one and two were not necessary or sexual. “Honestly, this is where Heartstopper leaves the teen genre and enters a straight-up fantasy world. We are supposed

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