Disabled but Not Broken: Why Inspiration Porn and Pity Culture Need to Die
The world loves a good “inspiration” story. You’ve seen it: a disabled person climbing a mountain, finishing a race, or simply going to prom—and being treated like a hero for it. The internet eats it up. But here’s the truth: 👉 Being disabled isn’t inspirational. It’s just living. 👉 We don’t exist to make able-bodied people feel grateful. 👉 Pity doesn’t empower—it isolates. In this post, we’ll break down: What “inspiration porn” really is Why pity-based narratives are harmful The damage done by media stereotypes Why disabled people are tired of being objectified What real allyship and inclusion actually look like What Is Inspiration Porn? Coined by the late disability rights activist Stella Young , "inspiration porn" refers to the objectification of disabled people for the benefit of non-disabled audiences. “Inspiration porn is when disabled people are used as feel-good motivation for able-bodied people.” – Stella Young Examples: “If they ...