Im loving the random new trend of showing people with disabilities as real people who are capable of holding jobs and being all kinds of independent.
Sure, we had Corky on Life Goes On, and the disfigured dude in the Cher movie The Mask, but really, other than that, we get academy award winning movies that show that there is no way people with disabilities can have full lives, so dont even bother.
that might have been a spoiler..sorry.
BUT, in a very cool cool twist, there are currently a few shows on where mains or supporting characters are disabled. and they are protrayed very realisticly…mostly.
First, we have Joan Of Arcadia, where Joan’s brother, Kevin, was in a car accident and is paralyzed from the waist down. He has a job, he drives a car with hand controls, he even has sex. Now, Kevin is played by Jason Ritter, which is awesome because he is a great actor, but Jason isnt actually disabled. Last week, when he went for his first “walk” with the help of some electodes and a stimulation machine, i very nearly cried. Joan is on Fridays at 8/7 central on NBC.
Then, we have Sue Thomas, FBEYE, on PAX, where a fully functioning member of the FBI team is deaf. She signs, she speaks, and they show real life for her. Her dog wakes her up with someone is at the door, she has a cell phone with massively cool text messaging. Its real. Its also based on a true woman. And there are many chances for others with disabilities to be on the show as well. Dont worry, they always translate the signing, either orally or in subtitles.
What is really cool, imo, about Sue Thomas, is that the actress who plays her is also deaf.
Sue Thomas plays on PAX on Sundays, 9/8 central.
And now, comes ABC with Blind Justice. A cop show about a cop who got blinded while on duty. But he doesnt want to give up his badge and retire, and why the heck should he? Being blind doesnt stop his mind from working.
plus, the guy starring is Ron Eldard, the same guy who was blinded in Deep Impact. which is random and funny.
It starts next week, and im looking forward to it..and im a little concerned about it as well.
I really dont want them playing like he now has super senses. Yes, he will have to rely on his other senses MORE, but he is not Daredevil. plus, he wants to keep his gun, and im really not sure how realistic that one would be. and hes only been blinded for a short time, and he already has a seeing eye dog, and thats not very realistic. You arent automatically given a dog when you go blind, you know. you also dont automatically get the urge to wear shades all the time. that is a stereotype.
Blind Justice starts Tuesday, March 8, at 10/9 central.
was also trying to figure out how difficult it would actually be to rig up his desk with the equipment he would need. He would need either a regular brailler, but i really doubt they would go with that simple of a route, or a computer and printer (possibly with brailling cababilities) with software like Dragon Naturally Speaking for writing, as well as a text reader. Most computers have some automatic adaptations that you can use, like stickykeys (which he wouldnt need), or filterkeys (still not for him).
dont believe me? go to your control panel and click, “Accessibility Options” and take a look at what comes standard on your comp.
they would have to have computer keyboards with braille on it..i dont see how they couldnt, as even the drive up ATMs have braille on their keypads.
But, i encourage you to check out these shows, even for a little bit, because people with disabilities are real, and can hold “normal” jobs, have relationships, make jokes, and drive cars.