I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much | Stella Young

Summary

The speaker, raised in a small Victorian town, reflects on the misconception that disability makes individuals exceptional. She challenges the 'inspiration porn' phenomenon, where images of disabled people are used to inspire others, arguing that it objectifies and misrepresents the disabled community. Advocating for the social model of disability, she emphasizes that society's barriers, not physical conditions, disable people. The speaker calls for a world where disability is normalized and genuine achievements are valued, not the mere act of living.

Takeaways

• 🏠 The speaker grew up in a small town in Victoria, leading a normal and unremarkable life.
• 🏆 At 15, a community member wanted to nominate her for an achievement award, but her parents pointed out she hadn't achieved anything notable.
• 📚 During her teaching career, a student's comment made her realize that disabled people are often only seen as sources of inspiration, not as individuals with diverse roles.
• 🚫 She challenges the common notion that disability is a 'Bad Thing' and that living with a disability automatically makes one exceptional.
• 📱 She criticizes social media for perpetuating the idea that disability is something to be overcome through attitude, referring to such content as 'inspiration porn'.
• 👀 These images and messages objectify disabled people, using them to make non-disabled people feel grateful for their own situations.
• 🤝 The speaker prefers the social model of disability, which suggests that society, not physical conditions, is the main disabling factor.
• 💪 She emphasizes that disabled people overcome societal barriers, not their own bodies, and should not be reduced to inspirational figures.
• 🌟 The speaker desires a world where disability is the norm, not the exception, and where achievements are recognized without reference to disability.
• 🌍 She concludes by encouraging the audience to question their preconceptions about disability and to value genuine achievements of disabled individuals.

Q & A

What was the speaker's upbringing like in the small country town in Victoria?

The speaker had a very normal, low-key upbringing. They went to school, hung out with friends, and fought with their younger sisters, which were all considered very typical activities.

Why did the speaker's parents initially decline the nomination for a community achievement award when she was 15?

The speaker's parents declined the nomination because they believed there was a glaring problem: their daughter hadn't achieved anything significant at that point in her life.

What was the speaker's job during their after-school hours?

The speaker worked in a low-key job at their mother's hairdressing salon.

What television shows did the speaker spend a lot of time watching?

The speaker spent a lot of time watching 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Dawson's Creek'.

What realization did the speaker have during a year 11 legal studies class when a student asked about her 'speech'?

The speaker realized that the student had only ever experienced disabled people as objects of inspiration, not as real individuals with their own roles and identities.

What is the term the speaker uses to describe images that objectify disabled people for the benefit of nondisabled people?

The speaker uses the term 'inspiration porn' to describe such images.

According to the speaker, what is the purpose of 'inspiration porn' images?

The purpose of these images is to inspire and motivate nondisabled people by making them feel that their own lives could be worse, thus putting their own worries into perspective.

What is the social model of disability, as mentioned by the speaker?

The social model of disability suggests that people are more disabled by the society they live in than by their physical conditions or diagnoses.

Why does the speaker argue that the phrase 'The only disability in life is a bad attitude' is not true?

The speaker argues that the phrase is not true because, according to the social model of disability, the issues faced by disabled people are often societal barriers rather than personal limitations, which cannot be overcome by attitude alone.

What does the speaker want to see in the world regarding the perception of disability?

The speaker wants to live in a world where disability is not the exception but the norm, where disabled people are not congratulated for basic achievements and where their genuine accomplishments are valued.

What does the speaker suggest is the greatest injustice about the current perception of disability?

The speaker suggests that the greatest injustice is the lie that disability makes one exceptional, which leads to low expectations and the objectification of disabled people.

Outlines

00:00

🙅‍♀️ Challenging the Inspirational Narrative of Disability

The speaker reflects on their unremarkable upbringing in a small town and the misconception that their disability should have qualified them for a community achievement award despite no extraordinary achievements. They recount an incident in a classroom where a student expected the teacher, who uses a wheelchair, to deliver a motivational speech, highlighting society's tendency to view disabled individuals as sources of inspiration rather than as real people with professional roles. The speaker critiques the notion that disability is inherently a bad thing and challenges the social media trend of 'inspiration porn,' which objectifies disabled people for the benefit of others, promoting a false narrative that disability makes one exceptional.

05:01

🚶‍♂️ The Social Model of Disability and Overcoming Prejudices

The speaker introduces the social model of disability, which posits that society's barriers, rather than physical conditions, disable people. They argue that disabled individuals are not overcoming their bodies but societal obstacles, and criticize the use of images of disabled people as a means to put one's own problems into perspective. The speaker emphasizes that being disabled does not make one exceptional and that this misconception is harmful. They share anecdotes of learning practical solutions from other disabled individuals and advocate for a world where disability is normalized, not exceptionalized, and where genuine achievements are valued without prejudice. The speaker concludes by encouraging the audience to question their preconceived notions about disability.

Keywords

💡Disability

Disability refers to a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities. In the video, it is the central theme, challenging the common misconception that disability inherently makes someone exceptional. The speaker uses personal anecdotes and societal observations to argue against the objectification of disabled people and the notion that they are merely sources of inspiration.

💡Achievement

Achievement is the act of completing a task or reaching a goal. The script discusses how the speaker's parents humorously pointed out that she hadn't achieved anything noteworthy, except through the lens of disability. This keyword is used to critique the skewed expectations and recognition society has for disabled individuals, often only acknowledging them for basic life functions rather than genuine accomplishments.

💡Inspiration

Inspiration is a concept that motivates or influences someone towards action or creation. The video speaker critiques the idea that disabled individuals are primarily seen as sources of inspiration, rather than as people with their own lives and contributions. The term is used to highlight the speaker's personal experience and the broader issue of 'inspiration porn,' where images of disabled people are used to uplift others without considering the objectification involved.

💡Inclusion

Inclusion is the act of including or involving all people, especially those with disabilities, in all aspects of society. The video advocates for a world where disability is the norm, not the exception, and where disabled individuals are included in various roles such as teachers, doctors, and more, rather than being isolated to inspirational figures.

💡Social Model of Disability

The social model of disability is a perspective that disability is created by societal barriers rather than by the individual's impairment. The speaker subscribes to this model, emphasizing that it is society's structures and attitudes that disable people more than their physical conditions. This concept is central to the speaker's argument that the focus should be on removing societal barriers rather than on the individual's ability to overcome personal limitations.

💡Objectification

Objectification is the act of treating a person as an object, often for the benefit of others. In the context of the video, the speaker uses this term to describe how images and stories of disabled people are used to inspire non-disabled individuals, without considering the dehumanizing effect on the subjects. The term is used to critique the use of 'inspiration porn' and to argue for the recognition of disabled people as whole individuals.

💡Exceptionalism

Exceptionalism is the idea that something or someone is unusually good or outstanding. The video challenges the notion that living with a disability makes one exceptional, arguing instead that it is society's expectations and attitudes that are problematic. The speaker uses this term to refute the idea that disability is inherently a 'Bad Thing' and to advocate for a more nuanced understanding of disability.

💡Motivation

Motivation is the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. The script discusses how images of disabled people are often used to motivate non-disabled individuals by making them feel grateful for their own circumstances. The speaker argues against this use of motivation, stating that it is based on a false premise and contributes to the objectification of disabled people.

💡Stereotype

A stereotype is a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. The video addresses the stereotype of disabled individuals as solely inspirational figures, rather than as diverse individuals with their own strengths, weaknesses, and experiences. The speaker uses the term to critique societal perceptions and to call for a broader understanding of disability.

💡Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. While not explicitly mentioned in the script, the concept of empathy is implied in the speaker's call for a more compassionate and understanding society that does not objectify or exceptionalize disabled individuals. Empathy is crucial for recognizing the personhood of disabled people and for dismantling the barriers they face.

💡Normalization

Normalization refers to making something usual or typical. The speaker expresses a desire to live in a world where disability is normalized, meaning that disabled individuals are seen as regular members of society, participating in all aspects of life without being singled out or treated as exceptions. This keyword is used to advocate for a shift in societal attitudes towards disability.

Highlights

The speaker grew up in a small country town in Victoria with a normal, low-key upbringing.

At age 15, the speaker was considered for a community achievement award, but their parents pointed out they hadn't achieved anything notable yet.

The speaker had a typical teenage life, including watching TV shows like 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Dawson's Creek'.

During a teaching experience, a student expected the speaker to give a motivational speech due to their disability, highlighting societal misconceptions about disabled individuals.

The speaker challenges the notion that disability is inherently a 'Bad Thing' and that living with a disability makes one exceptional.

Social media has propagated the false idea that a positive attitude is the only disability one needs to overcome.

The term 'inspiration porn' is introduced to describe images that objectify disabled people for the benefit of non-disabled people.

The speaker argues that the images of disabled people overcoming physical challenges are not what they truly overcome in life.

The social model of disability is explained, emphasizing that society's barriers, not physical conditions, disable people.

The speaker expresses fondness for their own body and its capabilities, urging a reevaluation of what is considered 'ordinary'.

The speaker questions the fairness of objectifying disabled people in images that are meant to inspire others.

Being called an 'inspiration' is a backhanded compliment based on the misconception that disability inherently makes one exceptional.

The speaker shares learning from other disabled people, such as using barbecue tongs to pick up dropped items, as examples of real-life adaptations.

The speaker advocates for a world where disability is not the exception but the norm, and where achievements are valued without the disability label.

The speaker envisions a society without low expectations for disabled people, where getting out of bed isn't considered an achievement.

The speaker concludes by emphasizing that questioning preconceived notions about disability is more impactful than the disability itself.

Transcripts

I grew up in a very small country town

in Victoria.

I had a very normal, low-key kind of upbringing.

I went to school, I hung out with my friends,

I fought with my younger sisters.

It was all very normal.

And when I was 15, a member of my local community

approached my parents

and wanted to nominate me

for a community achievement award.

And my parents said, "Hm, that's really nice,

but there's kind of one glaring problem with that.

She hasn't actually achieved anything." (Laughter)

And they were right, you know.

I went to school, I got good marks,

I had a very low-key after school job

in my mum's hairdressing salon,

and I spent a lot of time watching

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Dawson's Creek."

Yeah, I know. What a contradiction.

But they were right, you know.

I wasn't doing anything that was out of the ordinary

at all.

I wasn't doing anything that could be considered an achievement

if you took disability out of the equation.

Years later, I was on my second teaching round

in a Melbourne high school,

and I was about 20 minutes into a year 11 legal studies class

when this boy put up his hand and said,

"Hey miss, when are you going to start doing your speech?"

And I said, "What speech?"

You know, I'd been talking them

about defamation law for a good 20 minutes.

And he said, "You know, like,

your motivational speaking.

You know, when people in wheelchairs come to school,

they usually say, like, inspirational stuff?"

(Laughter)

"It's usually in the big hall."

And that's when it dawned on me:

This kid had only ever experienced disabled people

as objects of inspiration.

We are not, to this kid --

and it's not his fault, I mean,

that's true for many of us.

For lots of us, disabled people are not our teachers

or our doctors or our manicurists.

We're not real people. We are there to inspire.

And in fact, I am sitting on this stage

looking like I do in this wheelchair,

and you are probably kind of expecting me

to inspire you. Right? (Laughter)

Yeah.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I'm afraid

I'm going to disappoint you dramatically.

I am not here to inspire you.

I am here to tell you that we have been lied to

about disability.

Yeah, we've been sold the lie

that disability is a Bad Thing, capital B, capital T.

It's a bad thing, and to live with a disability

makes you exceptional.

It's not a bad thing, and it doesn't

make you exceptional.

And in the past few years, we've been able

to propagate this lie even further

via social media.

You may have seen images like this one:

"The only disability in life is a bad attitude."

Or this one: "Your excuse is invalid." Indeed.

Or this one: "Before you quit, try!"

These are just a couple of examples,

but there are a lot of these images out there.

You know, you might have seen the one,

the little girl with no hands

drawing a picture with a pencil held in her mouth.

You might have seen a child running

on carbon fiber prosthetic legs.

And these images,

there are lots of them out there,

they are what we call inspiration porn.

(Laughter)

And I use the term porn deliberately,

because they objectify one group of people

for the benefit of another group of people.

So in this case, we're objectifying disabled people

for the benefit of nondisabled people.

The purpose of these images

is to inspire you, to motivate you,

so that we can look at them

and think, "Well, however bad my life is,

it could be worse.

I could be that person."

But what if you are that person?

I've lost count of the number of times that I've

been approached by strangers

wanting to tell me that they think I'm brave

or inspirational,

and this was long before my work

had any kind of public profile.

They were just kind of congratulating me

for managing to get up in the morning

and remember my own name. (Laughter)

And it is objectifying.

These images, those images

objectify disabled people

for the benefit of nondisabled people.

They are there so that you can look at them

and think that things aren't so bad for you,

to put your worries into perspective.

And life as a disabled person

is actually somewhat difficult.

We do overcome some things.

But the things that we're overcoming

are not the things that you think they are.

They are not things to do with our bodies.

I use the term "disabled people" quite deliberately,

because I subscribe to what's called the social model of disability,

which tells us that we are more disabled

by the society that we live in

than by our bodies and our diagnoses.

So I have lived in this body a long time.

I'm quite fond of it.

It does the things that I need it to do,

and I've learned to use it to the best of its capacity

just as you have,

and that's the thing about those kids in those pictures as well.

They're not doing anything out of the ordinary.

They are just using their bodies

to the best of their capacity.

So is it really fair to objectify them

in the way that we do,

to share those images?

People, when they say, "You're an inspiration,"

they mean it as a compliment.

And I know why it happens.

It's because of the lie, it's because we've been sold

this lie that disability makes you exceptional.

And it honestly doesn't.

And I know what you're thinking.

You know, I'm up here bagging out inspiration,

and you're thinking, "Jeez, Stella,

aren't you inspired sometimes by some things?"

And the thing is, I am.

I learn from other disabled people all the time.

I'm learning not that I am luckier than them, though.

I am learning that it's a genius idea

to use a pair of barbecue tongs

to pick up things that you dropped. (Laughter)

I'm learning that nifty trick where you can charge

your mobile phone battery from your chair battery.

Genius.

We are learning from each others' strength and endurance,

not against our bodies and our diagnoses,

but against a world that exceptionalizes

and objectifies us.

I really think that this lie that we've been sold

about disability is the greatest injustice.

It makes life hard for us.

And that quote, "The only disability in life

is a bad attitude,"

the reason that that's bullshit

is because it's just not true,

because of the social model of disability.

No amount of smiling at a flight of stairs

has ever made it turn into a ramp.

Never. (Laughter) (Applause)

Smiling at a television screen

isn't going to make closed captions appear

for people who are deaf.

No amount of standing in the middle of a bookshop

and radiating a positive attitude

is going to turn all those books into braille.

It's just not going to happen.

I really want to live in a world

where disability is not the exception, but the norm.

I want to live in a world where a 15-year-old girl

sitting in her bedroom

watching "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"

isn't referred to as achieving anything

because she's doing it sitting down.

I want to live in a world

where we don't have such low expectations

of disabled people

that we are congratulated for getting out of bed

and remembering our own names in the morning.

I want to live in a world where we value genuine achievement

for disabled people,

and I want to live in a world

where a kid in year 11 in a Melbourne high school

is not one bit surprised

that his new teacher is a wheelchair user.

Disability doesn't make you exceptional,

but questioning what you think you know about it does.

Thank you.

(Applause)