Read more about the article Inspirational and Disability – Cliche, Demeaning, or Fact?
Image from Pixabay

Inspirational and Disability – Cliche, Demeaning, or Fact?

Inspirational! In particular inspirational and disability (and in particularly brain injury). Who would think it could be so complicated!   While "inspirational" is a word I am a bit fond of using I have discovered it is easy to misuse, and readily becomes demeaning.   I was showing a friend the work of Cheryl Green and co. in Seattle on the site “Who Am I To Stop It”: "Who Am I To Stop It" is a non-inspirational documentary film on artists with brain injury. We focus on quiet observation of the featured artists. The film explores the roles that art plays in people's lives for finding peace, peace of mind, connecting to their pre-injury lives, and connecting to community." “Why non-inspirational? What’s wrong with inspirational?” I was asked by my friend. At the time I thought I gave a fairly credible summary of why NOT inspirational. Talking about valuing a person’s achievements and roles. Of not finding a person inspirational just because…

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Read more about the article A Pink Bunny, Creativity and Brain Injury
Pink Rabbit Sculpture

A Pink Bunny, Creativity and Brain Injury

This image inspired me to write about creativity. It reminded me that creativity is possible for each of us, whatever our talents, whatever our limitations. Sometimes it just takes someone to encourage and support us to give it a go. This all came about a while back, when visiting family. I spotted this wonderful ceramic sculpture displayed on a bookshelf. Now each time I visit, I seek it out, it captures me. I see it is a kind of stylized standing rabbit, pink, big-eyed and delightful. You can see it here for yourself. When I asked about the artist I discovered it was a 6 year old girl. My further surprise was to learn this young artist lives with a significant and serious physical disability, and vision impairment.   Creative Endeavours The wonderful sculpture was created because family and supporters assisted and encouraged a young girl, with a severe disability, to be creative. I thought of other people I knew who had…

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