Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Best Friend Keychain Gifts Buy Now
4K Camera: 48MP/16X Zoom/3" Flip Screen Buy Now
Google Pixel 6a Android Phone Buy Now
ALDO Gloadithh Tote Buy Now
Kanjivaram Silk Saree Buy Now
Wide Leg Yoga Pants with Pockets Buy Now
Anne Klein Diamond Bangle Watch Buy Now
Mens Fashion Loose Fit Crewneck Stripe T-Shirt Buy Now
Women's Striped Summer Vest Top Buy Now
Ecosmart Fleece Full-zip Hoodie Buy Now
Straight Leg Jeans for Women Buy Now
Men's Knit Cardigan Buy Now
Men's Knit Blazer Buy Now
Musey Yoga Tank Top Buy Now
Men's Polo Shirts Buy Now
Men's Lightweight Bomber Jacket Buy Now
Outdoor Casual Vintage Long Sleeve Shirt Jacket Buy Now
ZENOTTIC Polarized Sunglasses Buy Now
Ankle Resistance Bands for Booty Workouts Buy Now
Full-Zip Fleece Lined Hoodie Sports Sweatshirts Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Let us be boring: Disabled people are more than heroes or objects of your pity

Let us be boring: Disabled people are more than heroes or objects of your pity

CBC
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 2:05 PM GMT

This opinion piece is by John Loeppky, a disabled artist and freelance writer/editor in Saskatoon. It's part of a series called Taking a Sitting Stand about disability issues.

For more information about CBC's Opinion section, please see the FAQ.

Travelling with parasport athletes tells you a lot about how folks view disabled people. There's something about being stuck in an airport with a bunch of fellow travellers you'll likely never see again that seems to invite uncomfortable questions about your disability. 

At Chicago O'Hare International Airport, in a feat of combining Canadian and disability stereotypes, I was asked if I rode a polar bear to school. "No," I answered, "the bastards aren't wheelchair accessible."

Once, when I was in Minneapolis with the junior national wheelchair basketball team, someone asked if our trip was a Make-a-Wish Foundation request.

In Toronto, I was met with: "Wow, there sure are a lot of you here today." What? Travellers? 

In Saskatoon, airport staff got my wheelchair jammed in the baggage scanner and set alarms off. I laughed at that particular bout of chaos as my chair wasn't in any danger. 

On these trips, plenty of people also called me a hero — not because I was representing my country and not because I was a half-decent athlete, but simply because I'd gotten out of bed that morning and dared to fly somewhere. Going through security as a wheelchair user takes a ton of effort, but I don't know that it's worthy of being decorated with a medal.

Late advocate and artist Stella Young called this habit of putting disabled people on a pedestal "inspiration porn." 

Disabled people are often shoved into one of two categories: the super crip — a person who is assumed to have overcome their disability to accomplish great things; or the tragic, pitiable cripple whose life is defined by how their disability has held them back.

There is endless media coverage that says we are overcoming or confined; a champion or a victim. 

Society affords us little middle ground. We are not trusted with our own stories. We are often talked about or around, rather than being given the stage to speak for ourselves. 

Many disabled people are also tired of being "first." We continue to break barriers that shouldn't have existed at all. We repeatedly have to challenge perceptions because they're so darn persistent. 

What we don't have is the privilege of being boring. Our society believes that to live a wonderfully average, disabled life is impossible. 

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Kenora OPP officer cleared by SIU after fatally shooting man in Anicinabe Park

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) says there is "no basis" to charge police officers in the death of 57-year-old Bruce Wallace Frogg.

Wilfrid Laurier University's Centre for Indigegogy has permanently closed

Wilfrid Laurier University's Centre for Indigegogy closed for good on Tuesday.

18-year-old driver clocked at 155 km/h charged with flight from police, say P.E.I. RCMP

Police in Prince Edward Island are reminding drivers that the consequences of trying to get out of a speeding ticket aren't worth the potential impacts on someone's life. 

Confidentiality issues 'baked into' Family Services' system, says Nunavut privacy commissioner

Nunavut's information and privacy commissioner says there are systemic problems around the privacy of children in care. 

Why do people drink and drive? A former drunk driver explains

Judy Wells lost her brother to a drunk driver when he was only 13 — it never stopped her from drunk driving herself. 

Why you're seeing these London-made propane vending machines outside stores

As Canada heads into peak grilling season, a company is using made-in-London technology to offer a different way for customers buy and exchange the propane tanks that fuel barbecues and other equipment. 

Regular cannabis use can cause a serious vomiting syndrome. Should people be warned?

When Brittany Ramsey started experiencing "awful stomach episodes" she thought it must've been side effects of the medication she was taking to manage her diabetes.

Court document details how former teacher Markus Hicks preyed on young men

WARNING: This article contains details of sexual abuse and violence.

Halifax spent more than $160,000 on the wrong kind of wildfire protective gear for firefighters

Halifax spent more than $160,000 on the wrong type of wildfire protective gear, and the union for municipal firefighters says the mix-up is just one example that the department is not properly preparing for wildfires.

Stayed murder charges mean some to walk, others remain in custody

Stayed murder charges mean some of the five people will be released from custody while others will remain behind bars on other charges.

The Kanien'kehá:ka say a vast swath of Montreal's South Shore is theirs. They want their claim settled

As development creeps closer to Kahnawà:ke's borders, Grand Chief Cody Diabo says the community near Montreal is fed up — watching homes and businesses get built on land they say has belonged to them for centuries, while a 345-year-old land grievance remains stalled in federal bureaucracy.

Woman sued by former partner over $5M lottery prize claims she was rightful winner

A Manitoba woman who is being sued by her former boyfriend in a dispute over a $5-million lottery prize says she is the lawful winner of the lottery money and at the time of the win, the man did not dispute that she was the ticket holder.

Communities evacuated as new wildfires in northwest Sask. threaten road access

New wildfires in the Saskatchewan's northwest have forced almost 200 people to leave their homes.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Price tag, timeline for N.L. Hydro expansion questioned in new report

A new independent report calls into question the price tag, timelines and demand forecasts underlying nearly $2 billion in construction projects proposed by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.

Cochrane, Ont. declares food insecurity emergency after food bank sees 'historic' number of clients

In the small town of Cochrane, Ont., upwards of 100 new people a month are using the community's food bank. The Cochrane Food Bank says over the last three years, data shows its usage rates have increased by 106 per cent, highlighting a growing food insecurity crisis.

Fredericton's Pride board steps it up after troubles that marred festival last year

After Fierté Fredericton Pride 2024 almost didn't happen last summer, a new board is in full swing for the upcoming 2025 Pride festival. 

Scott Gillingham will seek 2nd term as Winnipeg mayor

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham says he will seek a second term in 2026, when the city holds its next general election.

Saskatoon police release sketch in hopes of identifying man found in river

Saskatoon police are asking the public for help identifying a man found dead in the South Saskatchewan River on June 22.

Judge denies bail for 2 men accused of looting during wildfire evacuation in La Ronge, Sask.

Two men accused of looting in La Ronge, Sask., during the recent wildfire evacuation last month are staying in jail.

BGC Prince County hoping to expand women's shelter in Summerside as demand grows

BGC Prince County is planning to add more shelter services for women and children facing homelessness in the Summerside area, but first, municipal council has to rezone a portion of the city to allow it.

Child-care centres are popping up all over Edmonton. But not everyone is in favour

When Wanda Johnston first learned that a home in her quiet Canossa neighbourhood in north Edmonton would be converted into a child-care centre, she was upset.

Peach farmers in B.C.'s Okanagan optimistic for 2025 after years of climate disaster

Two peach farmers in B.C.'s Okanagan region say they're optimistic for the upcoming harvest after years of climate disasters wreaking havoc on their crops.

Niagara Dog Rescue, Manitoba groups work to re-home strays and dogs surrendered after wildfires

Ernie the dog has a home thanks to the efforts of rescue organizations in Manitoba and Ontario.

Windsor police chief's discipline for racist remarks 'doesn't amount to anything': Black Scholars Institute

WARNING: This story contains racially offensive language.

Suffering in silence no more: How peer support helps people with chronic pain

Janice MacMillan recalls driving home from work trying to breathe through a flare-up of excruciating chest pain, all while contemplating this heavy question: "What's the point of living if this is my life?"

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us