Finally getting a chance to see the movie Avatar, there are a few things people tend to forget. There is some blog chatter and twitter rumblings of how this movie treats disabilities. I think the bigger picture is what do people take away from it.
First off, remember this is a story. Fiction is not reality. What could be reality is how sci-fi of the past has given way to great new technology of today. Who would have thought a communicator from Star Trek would be an iphone of today.
Next, to those that do not know the stages of grief, do not know what someone who had full functionality of their limbs and then suddenly looses it will yearn to have it back. Many on the internet have said this movie gives false hope. It doesn’t. Let’s turn the tables 180. Disability is only a disability because there is a barrier in the way. Who puts up barriers? Us.
Better question, who can remove those barriers? Us.
So, please remember, it is a movie for enjoyment first and foremost. If it brings to light disability awareness, great. But let’s keep that awareness in perspective.
UPDATE: So, how many Oscars will this movie take home? How many should it? (Congrats on 3 Academy Awards)
