Thinking Outside

the Box.

 

 

 

There’s no right or wrong way to write characters with disabilities. It’s whatever enhances your story.

Your narrative is about putting challenges in the face of your characters. And what could be more challenging than characters who are challenged every day?

Characters with disabilities are just another tool in your toolbox. But like any tool, you must feel confident using it.

Here are some great examples of leading and supporting characters with disabilities.

Murderball
Children of a Lesser god
My Left Foot
The Ringer

If you haven't caught this flick yet, please do. Real insight into people living beyond their obstacles. And living on the edge.

Marlee Matlin won an Oscar, and don't forget another film-- The Best Years of Our Lives-- with a PWD taking home the trophy.

A wonderful example of "enablement through limitations". Depth of character, depth of character, depth of character.

Disability as a comic setting. Who would have thunk it? The Farrelly's, of course.

 

 

 

"A born writer's career... is an accident dictated by physical or circumstantial disabilities" -- Dylan Thomas

 

Writers Hotline

818-762-8969

Gar Girard, The Player

One of the great supporting characters with a disability.

 

What makes the character 
of Gar Girard so wonderful
is there is no discernible
reason in the story why this
hard-nosed lawyer has a 
disability. He just does. The
way real- life has people 
with disabilities, too.
     But if you try to picture 
Gar as an able-bodied 
character he loses something.           
     This is a great exercise for 
a writer. As you imagine your 
characters in your project, 
flip around in your mind various
characters with various  
disabilities. Give your project 
the “Gar Girard” treatment.            
     When you find your Gar, 
you won’t be able to imagine 
that character any other way.

Essential Reading
Start with Foucault. He has a great way of turning cause-and-effect on its head.

Foucault, Michel The Birth of the Clinic
Grace, Nora Everybody Here Spoke Sign Language
Hugo, Victor The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Keller, Helen The Story of My Life
Haj, Fareed Disability in Antiquity

 

Syracuse has put together a compelling booklist here.

For a more exhaustive reading list.

External Links
Quick resources for when you don't have time to call the hotline.

National Arts And Disability Center (NADC)

Media Access Office