Disabled people can absolutely be inspiring.
So can nondisabled people.
The problem begins when disability itself becomes the reason someone is treated as inspirational.
A disabled person goes grocery shopping.
Goes to work.
Gets married.
Raises children.
Exercises.
Travels.
Creates art.
Uses public transportation.
Suddenly, strangers respond with:
“You’re so inspiring.”
“I could never do what you do.”
“You really put my problems into perspective.”
At first, those comments can sound positive.
But they can also reduce a disabled person’s life to a lesson for nondisabled people.
This is sometimes called inspiration porn: when disabled people are presented primarily as objects of inspiration because they are doing ordinary things while disabled.
The issue is not appreciation.
It is what exactly is being praised.
If someone gives an incredible speech, praise the speech.
If someone creates beautiful artwork, praise the art.
If someone advocates for change, recognize the advocacy.
If someone accomplishes something personally meaningful, celebrate it with them.
But simply existing in a disabled body should not automatically become someone else’s motivational story.
There is another side to this too.
When disabled people are constantly described as brave, strong, or inspirational, it can create pressure to perform resilience.
There may be less room for anger.
Exhaustion.
Grief.
Frustration.
Needing help.
Not feeling inspirational at all.
Disabled people are full human beings.
We can be resilient and exhausted.
Independent in some areas and supported in others.
Proud of ourselves and frustrated by inaccessible systems at the same time.
We do not exist to make nondisabled people appreciate their lives more.
Sometimes the most respectful thing you can do is treat a disabled person’s ordinary life as exactly that:
A life.