Comments on: 10 Inspirational Disabled Characters From Sci-Fi And Fantasy

By: Laurie

Laurie — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:38:55 +0000

Me, as well – that was the most important one for me.

By: Dan DeWitt

Dan DeWitt — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:31:05 +0000

“When it comes down it, though, he’s mainly just a computer nerd who’s been given powers that transcend his keyboard. Not a bad skill to have.”

That sells that character waaay short.

By: J.M. Ney-Grimm

J.M. Ney-Grimm — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 16:14:35 +0000

Same here! I would have been disappointed if Miles weren’t included!

By: Mira

Mira — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 05:46:34 +0000

Hear, hear!

By: Steve Godden

Steve Godden — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 05:38:59 +0000

And I see your point

Representation is important, I just wish we had reached a place where there was no need to represent because it was no longer an issue.

By: Amy

Amy — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 05:12:17 +0000

Yeah, I skimmed it just to make sure they included Miles.

By: Mira

Mira — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 04:48:53 +0000

Hmmm. I see your point. I very much agree about the Logan point. I’m not a fan of stoicism, either.

I guess I see it as a mixed bag, though, because I like what they are doing…..it is important to represent.

And I’m probably anti-pc for saying this, but the athletes at the para-olympics can really only speak for themselves, not the entire disabled community.

The thing is, I think that sometimes those in a targeted community sometimes get too caught up in political correctness, and forget intent. Sensitivity is important, for sure, but sometimes there are positive things happening even if they are not 100% sensitive.

But I do see your point about this article.

By: ABeth

ABeth — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 03:58:59 +0000

They got Miles Vorkosigan, so that’s a mark in their favor!

By: Steve Godden

Steve Godden — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 02:53:20 +0000

It may be just me, but I read that through and didn’t much like the angle it took. I suppose it’s the whole defining characters by their disabilities that I found off-putting.

One of the things the athletes at the para-Olympics requested is that the term ‘inspiring’ should not be used.

This set the tone at the start.

“And yes, Dark Angel fans, we did consider Logan and his wheelchair, and he almost made the cut, but we felt his constant whinging about his situation wasn’t particularly “inspiring”.”

Like I said, it might be just me, but the whole thing felt a bit insensitive. Characters are only ‘inspiring’ if they stoically accept their disability (or in the case of ‘Venom’ use it manipulate people).

Though I may well be wrong.

By: Mira

Mira — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 02:00:45 +0000

Steve, I didn’t see it. Seemed respectful to me….but maybe I overlooked something…

I like that they are validating the creation of disabled characters, who cope with their disablity rather than just fix them with scientific mumbo jumbo.