So I know it's been almost a couple weeks since my last post as I wasn't completely sure of what to write but now I have a topic to write about. It's about a video that has gone viral for the past couple weeks and I just watched the video myself.
It's the "Be Grateful For What You Have" video made by Bright Side:
Look on the Bright Side
Posted by Bright Side on Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Now you're probably wondering why I'm dedicating a post to this video. Well it's because of the message behind the video.
Look, I was enjoying the video because it is a great message. We should be grateful for what we have. We can't look at what others have and need the want to have what they have. It is an important message that we all need to look at.
The first 48 seconds was the best part of the video. At the end of the video, you will notice that the last person they show is a person in a wheelchair saying "He can go wherever he wants." This is the part of the video that had upset me.
In the past few years, there's been talks and talks about the disabled group as I'm sure you know (especially since if you read my blog). Some of those talks aren't positive and some are. The end of this video with this character is one of those negatives moments.
I know you're probably thinking or wondering, what's exactly wrong with it? You're always writing and talking about being included and here it is, you have a disabled character in a video. Ok yes I'm happy that there's a disabled character in this video but it's the way they are portrayed.
Again, I understand the true meaning behind the video is to be grateful for what you have but the way the disabled character is portrayed isn't right. I mean, it has him sitting on the balcony looking out towards a person walking and he says "He can go wherever he wants."
You know what that's telling people who are in wheelchairs? That they have to stay put. That they don't get to wherever they want. And you know what? That's wrong. Just because you're disabled or have something in your way, it doesn't mean that you can't do what others are doing.
I've read so many comments under the video and there are some who say the same as I'm saying and there are others who don't understand those who are complaining about the ending of the video.
Have you ever thought that maybe there are those who are in wheelchairs or have a disability do more than what you do in your life? That they go farther and more places than you can ever imagine? You wouldn't if if you looked at this video. because there's no one after the disabled character. It's just them.
If I truly thought "he can go wherever he wants" the way the video is portraying that we (disabled people) do then I would've never joined the Lightning Wheels, started this blog, go to college, go across the country for the National Junior Disability Championships, and others. I wouldn't change a thing about my life and that includes being in a wheelchair. Because you know what? I and many others who have a disability can go wherever HE wants.
(Of course there was a time when I was younger where I wondered if I could be able to walk again and do what those who can walk but as I got older, I appreciated the life I live and continue to do so. I also realized that I can do what "he" wants. Just do it in a different way. My way.)
We may not be able do what you do exactly like how you do it but we do it our way. I have friends who have traveled to other countries whether it's for sports or not. I have friends who are working towards their dream jobs. I have friends who do what they want to do because they can. It's time to end this stigma about people with disabilities.
How about we get included the right way rather the wrong way? Check out my other posts under the Disability Advocacy tab above and think about how to make videos the right way and why you're truly sharing this video.
It's a great video and for a good meaning but it could've been done with a better ending. So I ask the 100+ million viewers, 4+ million sharers, and the 2+ million those who liked the video - what do you think of the video? How do you see the ending of the video? Re-look at the comments made by those who complain about the video - do they have a point to their comments?
Do I think we should be grateful for what we have? Of course. Do I think the ending of this video could've been better? Duh, I wouldn't have written this post if I didn't.
Please let me know what you think about the video and this post.
Until Next Time
CGoerlich <3
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