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Post by bowlergrl0524 on Feb 7, 2016 21:31:59 GMT -5
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Post by hail on Feb 8, 2016 1:17:40 GMT -5
Where do people stand on the idea that the book/film perpetuates the idea that disabled lives aren't worth living? Saw these sentiments by some disabled people in my Facebook feed. Pulled up lots of writing on the book and I didn't get that impression to the same degree. Ruth's review was quite helpful. Think I'll have to watch the movie and read the book to get a better idea.
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melita
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Post by melita on Feb 8, 2016 5:35:55 GMT -5
There are countries, like mine, and some others I know, where blind people are seen just like beggars, and kids with congenital disabilities are being concealed and kept hidden at home because of family shame, where such attitude is changing very slowly. It's very bad when this book is the only translated book with a hero with disability. The book justifies helped suicide of a quad. And the hero claims the heroin's love can never be enough to make him happy and vice versa. And he thinks his life is not worth living, with not much arguments against it expressed. How is it not bad message to a society? I personally also had such experience with my ex long time boyfriend who was blind ("you can never make me happy, I will always be blind"). We already had suicidal thoughts here on PD... The book is otherwise a very good read.
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melita
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Post by melita on Feb 8, 2016 5:47:20 GMT -5
I am sorry, I couldn't remain silent any more when there are too many threads about the movie, and it hasn't even come out yet
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Post by devogirl on Feb 8, 2016 7:27:21 GMT -5
I totally agree with you Melita! I suppose it's unfair of me to judge the book without reading it, but I really really don't want to read or watch yet another quad suicide story. I don't think it's a spoiler either, because the title gives it away. It's frustrating that this is the only story that gets widely publicized. I doubt the book would have gotten a major publishing contract and movie option if it had a different ending. I refused to see Million Dollar Baby for the same reason. Bleah. Also once again we have an AB actor faking it. Sorry I can't get on the bandwagon for this one.
If there is an upside though, I predict that we will have more devs joining here when it comes out.
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hungryquad
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Post by hungryquad on Feb 8, 2016 9:15:41 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2016 9:26:13 GMT -5
Ah..I knew it. I should have never ever listened to you guys about watching the trailer. However, I did. I already cried buckets just watching THE TRAILER. Although I am not a quad dev, I wouldn't mind being one at all if Sam was real Not sure if my heart can take the movie though..
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Post by Hopper on Feb 8, 2016 9:44:18 GMT -5
Just bring plenty of tissues @girl, I'm sure you won't be the only one weeping. The more said about this film, the more the book piques my interest. I shall have to find a copy soon. Then return it when the ink disappears due to me blubbing all over it. I can see Sam becoming something of a sex symbol if the film is well enough received, heck even if it isn't that's one fine fellow.
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Post by Inigo Montoya on Feb 8, 2016 9:52:03 GMT -5
I totally agree with you Melita! I suppose it's unfair of me to judge the book without reading it, but I really really don't want to read or watch yet another quad suicide story. I don't think it's a spoiler either, because the title gives it away. It's frustrating that this is the only story that gets widely publicized. I doubt the book would have gotten a major publishing contract and movie option if it had a different ending. I refused to see Million Dollar Baby for the same reason. Bleah. I had first aid training Friday and, while discussing holding a person's head in place because of possible neck level SCI, the trainer said... "at some point you have to decide whether or not life is worth living." I shit you not. I think highly publicized movies and books like this perpetuate that attitude.
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Post by Hopper on Feb 8, 2016 10:12:53 GMT -5
I refused to see Million Dollar Baby for the same reason. I can see what you mean with Million Dollar Baby, I hated that swerve, loathed it. It could have been so much better by having Maggie survive and continue to be in the business of Boxing, perhaps as a manager/trainer herself. Maybe even go the inspiration porn route and have her be a speaker. Anything but doing what they did. It would have also fit in well with the 'you are never alone' theme.
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Post by lucretia on Feb 8, 2016 11:10:43 GMT -5
I totally agree with you Melita! I suppose it's unfair of me to judge the book without reading it, but I really really don't want to read or watch yet another quad suicide story. I don't think it's a spoiler either, because the title gives it away. It's frustrating that this is the only story that gets widely publicized. I doubt the book would have gotten a major publishing contract and movie option if it had a different ending. I refused to see Million Dollar Baby for the same reason. Bleah. I had first aid training Friday and, while discussing holding a person's head in place because of possible neck level SCI, the trainer said... "at some point you have to decide whether or not life is worth living." I shit you not. I think highly publicized movies and books like this perpetuate that attitude. Just wow. Yeah, I saw MDB because didn't know how it ended.... I hate the disability as tragedy myth. It's everywhere.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2016 11:30:18 GMT -5
I can see Sam becoming something of a sex symbol if the film is well enough received Wouldn't that be great? I mean a PWD as one? There are a few already but the more there are, the better that would be.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2016 11:57:28 GMT -5
I totally agree with you Melita! I suppose it's unfair of me to judge the book without reading it, but I really really don't want to read or watch yet another quad suicide story. I don't think it's a spoiler either, because the title gives it away. It's frustrating that this is the only story that gets widely publicized. I doubt the book would have gotten a major publishing contract and movie option if it had a different ending. I refused to see Million Dollar Baby for the same reason. Bleah. I had first aid training Friday and, while discussing holding a person's head in place because of possible neck level SCI, the trainer said... "at some point you have to decide whether or not life is worth living." I shit you not. I think highly publicized movies and books like this perpetuate that attitude. Trust me, it probably doesn't go that deep in your situation. It's simply the elusive paragod in his natural habitat. I've had instructors tell us that we, as paramedics, decide who lives and who dies. No, we don't, we do our job and hope to (insert deity of choice here) we did enough. I do however agree with the theme of your post, these kind of books and movies don't do much for showing that disability isn't the be-all end-all.
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Post by harmonniousvision on Feb 8, 2016 12:34:14 GMT -5
I am excited about this movie from a Dev perspective... i am not excited about the myths about disability etc that it perpetuates... Does that make sense I can see and draw a distinction... I hate the ableist attitudes it presents and in some way tho i relate to the main charachter greatly i hate that it presents this "silly no future" type of woman as the "only" kind of woman who could love a disabled man. I also dislike that whole "disabled rich boy" because we all know that is NOT the case in MOST cases... There is A LOT wrong with it and with how society will view it and be brainwashed by it... "tragic heroes" and the like but i don't think its ALL bad if "Will Traynor" is the next Christian Gray its at least making women think and consider a disabled man could be sexy could be passionate and WORTHWHILE and i think as society shifts our perceptions to see disabled persons as PEOPLE with something to contribute the overall shift and focus will change... i greatly dislike the msg but i think its a baby step toward the msg we'd like to see put out.
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Post by hail on Feb 8, 2016 15:15:17 GMT -5
I really see both sides of the coin on this one. The story sounds far from perfect and I haven't read it but it sounds like it approaches the assisted suicide debate with tact. Here in Canada doctor assisted suicide is now legal and I'm happy to know this option is there. I remember seeing my friend with DMD on his death bed and all the pain and suffering that he went through. At the end he was tired of living simply because others wanted him to. I wonder if he would have taken a way out if he had one back then. From what I've read it sounds like the book makes it clear that other quads have fulfilling lives but that Will doesn't want to live out the life that he does have. Personally I think that is perfectly okay. Just another take.
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