Reps of Disability - Basic 500 words

Stereotypes are commonly used in the media to help identify a specific type of character. Although disabilities are a sensitive topic the media has also lurched onto stereotyping this representation. Based on the audio-visuals I have explored, I have come to realise how most characters with disabilities often do fit a stereotype of its kind. For example, in ‘My Left Foot’ Christy who had Cerebral Palsy fit many stereotypes like ‘Super Cripple’ as he was very clever and intelligent. We saw examples of this when he came up with a successful plan to get some coal when his family where suffering in the cold and also when he wrote ‘mother’ with his left foot. He also fits other stereotypes like ‘Pitiable and Pathetic’(PP) when he got rejected by a girl he liked. Another film like ‘I Am Sam’ also fits the PP stereotype as seen in the narrative through the trailer he is a loving father that loses custody over his beloved girl. Conventional slurred speech and a facial expression with a constant open-mouth is used to recognise the character, another present stereotype is the laughable one where we see Sam tripping and also when he asks for a balloon in the shoe store. However although his character is one of a person with a disability he is also shown to do normal father-like roles such as cheering in his daughters football match and reading bedtime stories. These deviate from the stereotype. The movie ‘Special People’ exemplifies a movie that contradicts the stereotype, in comparison to I Am Sam and My left Foot, the cast is much younger and also include females. They show average teens that get up to menace and behave in normal teen-like behaviour and also include a romantic couple. This romance between a couple with disabilities is uncommon in the film industry however this film responds to this. Furthermore i have noticed how stereotypes are in fact inevitable in the media. However we see a strive to show positive and various representations, these are shown through the innovative and diverse narratives in films that are based on or include characters with a disability as this is a sensitive topic that needs to be explored and not ignored.