Representation in Every Universe (The Need For Multiple Wheelchair Users)

SO MANY wheelchair users exist all over the world, but if you look at any kind of media, I’m not sure you would automatically know that.

I’ve talked before about media (like shows and movies) needing more than one wheelchair user. But I want to talk more about it.

What I mean is exactly what I’ve said.

I feel there should be multiple wheelchair users blurry in the background and in focus in the foreground.

We are human beings that exist - EVERYWHERE.

And if that’s not enough for you: anyone can become disabled at any point in time. That’s just a fact. The community you say doesn’t need representation you, one of your friends, and/or one of your family members could join tomorrow.

I feel having more than one wheelchair user in shows and movies is incredibly important because REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

Having multiple wheelchair users could help at least one person feel less alone. Seeing more people like them could help remind someone - no matter their age - there are more people like them in the world.

I know for me personally seeing multiple wheelchairs on TV when I was a kid would have made me realize I’m not alone and make me feel less lonely. Seeing multiple wheelchair users on TV probably would’ve made me feel better about being the only physically disabled people in my friends and 1 of 2 in my family.

On that topic, multiple wheelchair users is realistic.

When it comes to fantasy (what I’m calling every movie or show that seems extremely unrealistic - no matter the “official” genre) shows and movies, I feel the exact same way.

Fantasy is breeded by reality. People came up with these stories by drawing inspiration from reality and that should be shown more than it is currently.

In my mind fantasy shows and movies can automatically be separated into 2 categories: live action and cartoon.

These categories have more similarities than you might think: (1) they each have characters played by humans.

While these characters might be changed somewhat to be less like a “regular” human (by being a werewolf, vampire, fairy, timelord, etc), I promise at least most - if not all - of those roles could be played by wheelchair users; (2) The use of language. Every person, character or not, uses language. Whether verbal, signed, written, etc there is communication that happens. Everywhere. And [gasp] guess what? Wheelchair users are no exception.

The number 1 reason I feel shows and movies having multiple wheelchair users so important is we’re a diverse community. As stated, anyone can become a wheelchair user at any time. Meaning there isn’t just one or two races, genders, body types, heights, wheelchairs, etc. And that needs to be shown.

Overall, including multiple different wheelchair users reflects reality and could help people feel less alone.

Many different nondisabled people are included and represented without hesitation and wheelchair users deserve that same respect.