In the stirring movie “My Left Foot” by Jim Sheridan, the story is about Christy Brown who has cerebral palsy, and it gives an emotional look into his life and the adversities he must overcome. The movie becomes a screen to understand attribution origins, victim blaming, and childhood influences, offering a mirror through which to analyze larger raised societal attitudes towards people battling disabilities. In alignment with the hypotheses outlined in Chapter 2 of “Psychosocial Aspects of Disability,” this essay will discuss the hypothesis that contributes to negative attitudes towards persons with disability, how cultural factors influence how an individual with disability is treated, how the socioeconomic status of an individual with disability contribute to how they are treated and recommendations to families caring for individuals with disabilities.
Hypothesis That Contribute to Negative Attitudes Towards Persons with Disability
In the movie “My Left Foot,” three hypotheses illustrate negativity toward people with disabilities. The attributional origin leads to negative perceptions about Christy Brown. Since the disability is the source of his physical impairments, people tend to overlook his intellectual capacity (My Left Foot, 1989). Such misjudgments are also created due to society’s misunderstanding of people with disabilities, strengthening stereotypes and denying individuals like Christy opportunities. The blaming-the-victim hypothesis is clearly demonstrated in the way the problems of Christy are blamed on him. He is often blamed by society for this condition as opposed to the systemic barriers as a result of the lack of accessibility and unsympathetic understanding, which are the factors that affect him. Christy’s childhood experiences define the way he is treated and perceived by others. From the very beginning, he is exposed to ridiculing and even ostracism, laying a foundation for the offensive attitude that follows him since childhood and even beyond. Childhood impacts lead to the persistence of stereotypes and discriminatory activities (Marini et al., 2018). These hypotheses collectively describe how far and wide negative attitudes spread and why such transformation and awareness among societies is essential to shedding the wronged view of disability.
The Influence of Cultural Factors On How Individuals with Disability Are Treated
Cultural factors are key in creating attitudes within society towards people with disabilities, as evidenced in “My Left Foot.” The film identifies ableism as a dominant cultural construct that emphasizes the physical ability over the intellectual, as it credits over those like Christy Brown. Thus, cultural biases reinforce the reality of discrimination and social rejection of people with disabilities, requiring such individuals to have a culturally sensitive approach to this population. It is important to identify and oppose these cultural elements in order to enhance inclusivity, change perspectives, and support a fairer and more compassionate community. Practicing clinicians of the future should be mindful of said cultural vibes so that they can use interventions that address not only the physical limitation of the individual but also the prevailing attitudes in the society that impact the lived experience of the individuals.
Contribution of socioeconomic status of an individual with disability to how they are treated
In the film “My Left Foot,” low socioeconomic status is a crucial factor in Christy Brown’s social life as a person with cerebral palsy. Lack of adequate financial resources further increases his problems, leading to a lack of needed services and denying important opportunities. The societal perceptions and discrimination against Christy arise from financial difficulties. The film emphasizes the intersectionality of disability and social class, revealing how financial burden can contribute to additional marginalization of people with disabilities. Thus, the next step to ensure social stability and correct the treatment of people like Christy becomes an equalization of economic gaps, which implies broader measures for the promotion of inclusion and equity among individuals belonging to different social classes.
Recommendations to Families Caring for Individuals with Disabilities.
Advocating for families raising individuals with disabilities requires promoting inclusion, facilitating the engagement of the community, providing access to resources, and the focus of counseling from future clinicians. The provision of inclusive learning environments that focus on abilities rather than disabilities establishes a constructive environment. Active participation in disability groups and public advocacy projects enables overcoming isolation and establishing a loyal group of followers. It enables people to get access to resources, including assistive technologies and rehabilitation services, and it promotes overall well-being. Furthermore, fostering mental health support services in counseling helps to handle some of the emotional challenges associated with disability, equipping families with the necessary tools to cope with the challenges of caregiving for a loved one with disabilities. These recommendations cumulatively help in forging a proactive environment that empowers persons with disabilities and their families.
Reference
Marini, I., Glover-Graf, N. M., & Millington, M. J. (2018). Psychosocial aspects of disability: insider perspectives and strategies for counselors. Springer Publishing Company.
Watch My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown 1989 full HD on 6movies Free. (n.d.). Www3.6movies.net. Retrieved January 15, 2024, from https://www3.6movies.net/movie/free-my-left-foot-the-story-of-christy-brown-hd-16574
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