I have seen a lot of non-disabled people using the I-Word lately. I mean more than normal. What is the I-Word I am referring to? Inspiration is the word I am talking about. If ever there was a word so loaded with guilt and admiration of the little (or big) things others do, it is this one. The problem is people with disabilities cannot seem to escape the I-Word. Everywhere they go there is some sap waiting for the next “inspiring” gimp. It is like there is an army of people out there so guilty that people with disabilities don’t have jobs, housing, healthcare or an occasional boner; that they must find them "inspirational".
I have heard it or read it, seen it or felt it:
June Cleaver Inspiration
The joyful and longing stare, slight smile, head cocked slightly to one side, and then it hits you. Oh my God! You are my ultimate hero! Look at you in that wheelchair and crossing the street all by yourself. Yea, you inspire me. I am going home to do 100 push-ups right now. Twenty minutes later the same lady is sucking down a Venti caramel mocha with extra whip cream at the local Starbucks.
5 Minutes of Flame
This is where we push Inspiration to the masses. It is “The I think your so great for being so fantastic and not complaining to me about your obvious impairment or affliction, inspirational story.”
Camera zooms in: Showing poor disabled bobby sucking on his little lollipop.
Reporter speaks: Where are in the home of Bobby, an 18 year old child born with the inability to breathe real people air. (GASP)
Cut to video of man in blue Armani suit and gator shoes: Yes that is right. He insurance company is refusing to pay for any more oxygen, stating, “Well Bobby has turned 18 and can make his own oxygen at home. Therefore, why should we spend stock holder dollars on this unproven an dare I say experimental treatment”
Camera zooms back to Bobby: Why? Don’t ya’ll worry about me? I am going to beat this thing and show XYZ insurance that I don’t need them. Slight tear of strength and resolve rolls in slow motion down Bobby’s face.
Back to Reporter: Reporter with longing stare, slight smile and head cocked slightly to one side, says it. "Bobby, you are an inspiration to the Tri-State Area. Our viewers applaud you, Bravo. Now back to Snow Johnson the Weather Guy”.
I Can’t Believe You a Got A Girl
They are everywhere. The true hater of your ability to get a girl or guy when one has an obvious disability. They pull up to you and your significant other in their little red Corvette. Hey, is that your sister? She is very nice looking, one of them says. No. She is my girlfriend. Then, a longing blank stare, slight smile, head cocked slightly to one side, “holly crap you got a girl”. Dam, “You see Frank, anybody can get a girl”. Hey, I was not inspired till just now, and it is almost 9:00 PM, says one of the cologne soaked Guidos. You are a beacon of light for all of us who can’t seem to talk to a girl without grabbing at our crotch. If you can do it, I can do it screams Franks as they peel-out, leaving only the scent of Axe cologne and burning rubber.
You Are Just Too Good to Work Here
Many people with disabilities can relate to this one.
Interviewer: So, Ms. You Wanna Work Here, Let me begin this interview by telling you that your resume is superb. I see under Activities in your resume that you like climbing high mountains. Hey you even climbed Mt. Everest!
Ms. You Wanna Work Here: Yes. I believe in hard work. Even though I am blind as you can tell from my cane, I do get a thrill out of climbing.
Interviewer: Let me interrupt. So I see you graduated in the top tenth of your class at the Trials and Tribulations community College and top fifth at Columbia. Wow. I barely scored in the bottom tenth at my community college. What can you bring to Schmuck & Schmuck? And you do realize that we are seeking a Manger/Editor for our online print business.
Ms. You Wanna Work Here: The reason I applied for this position is because I have 10 years experience in corporate management and was an Editor at KMA a Fortune 500 publisher. I have been a Managing Administrator of up to 200 employees. It is right in my resume, under Experience.
Interviewer: Oh yea, there it is! Anyway. I want to thank you for coming out in the snow and all, but you are overqualified. You know any employer would be am lucky to have you. But let me be honest he says, with a longing blank stare, slight smile, head cocked slightly to one side. You inspire me. Really. But hey, someone like you can you allot better than Schmuck & Schmuck. Good Luck.
The I-Word, inspiration, used by the masses to make themselves feel better about the lives other people live. We in the disability community must step back and ask ourselves, is that enough?
Where are the jobs?
Where is the housing?
Where is the health care?
Where are our voices?
What has the years of inspiring you to feel good about yourself, brought a community of impoverish, unemployed, and strong persons with disabilities? If inspiration were currency everyone with a disability would be filthy rich. Sometimes I wonder, does the inspiration come from watching what allot of people can do with a monthly Social Security check? I mean, can you imagine your average Joe living on $609.00 a month? That may be what should really inspire. Not whether someone who is disabled can live as independently as you. But how does a person on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), manage to get through the month without holding-up a convenience store?
