COMMENT
I see what you’re saying about people being deemed ‘disabled’ because they are less able, but what if they actually become more able? For example, many disabled people have achieved incredible sporting achievements. I read about one man who, using special adapted prosthetic limbs, was able to run as fast as those with limbs, yet still had to take part in the ‘disabled’ Olympics. Another point to consider is where do you draw the line on what is considered disabled – how far from the average able bodied do you have to be – there are people without limbs who have created art masterpieces (through drawing with their mouth, and other such ways), are they not just as able (if not more so) than other ‘able-bodied’ people in this area?
1 comment:
That is a very good point that able bodiedness is indeed subjective. We can look to the work of Stephen Hawking to point out that a man who is deemed disabled in terms of the majority has indeed proven himself considerably gifted and incredibly able in other areas. Likewise, you are correct in saying paralympic athletes are very much able in their particular pursuits. Unfortunately, however, we do live in a world where there is constant need for generalisation and our debates would become never ending pursuits of 'chasing our own tail' if we do not draw a line somewhere. For that reason, although Stepehn Hawking is indeed a brilliant mind and his work deserves commendation, it is correct in my mind to state that if you left him without assistance and 3 miles from civilisation in the Sahara desert for a length of time, he would have far less a chance of surviving than someone who is deemed able bodied in the general eyes of society. It is a shame, but true.
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