Actually, I’ve started to notice more examples of physically disabled people in movies and TV!

And not just who exist to move the story along – some are there as background characters, just there living their lives. It’s great!

I’m creating this ongoing (initially very short) list – let me know if there are any others you’ve seen and should be added!

Note: these are primarily realistic portrayals, so I’m not including, for example, Cherry’s machine gun/grenade launching prostheses from “Planet Terror” or Gazelle from Kingsman: Secret Service. I may create a separate post for those at some point…

Books

• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens – Tiny Tim, son of Ebenizer Scrooge’s employee, uses a cane. For some reason. Supporting character
• CB Strike novels by Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling) – Eponymous Cormoran Blue (CB) Strike, private detective, is a military veteran who lost his right leg below the knee and wears a prostheses. He is the main character
• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett – also adapted into movies – Archibald, Mary’s uncle, suffers from kyphosis, and her cousin, Colin, is in a wheelchair (though no medical diagnosis is…provided…). Both are supporting characters, Colin especially helps to move story along
• Wish by Barbara O’Connor – Howard, Charlie’s friend, has what she describes an “up down walk.” We’re never told why he walks this way. Supporting character

Movies

• Forrest Gump – Forrest has a crooked spine, for which he wears leg braces in as a child (at least until we first hear “run, Forrest, run!!!”)
• Marry Me – Student in Charlie’s math club is in a wheelchair. Supporting character, name not mentioned, I don’t think she even speaks. It was nice to see the inclusivity.
• Shazam – Freddy uses an arm cane (though I don’t believe we’re ever told why). Main character, helps to move the story along

TV shows

• Abbott Elementary – In Season 2, Episode 1, kindergarten teacher Barbara Howards wants funds to provide one of her students, who’s in a wheelchair, an accessible desk. Student is supporting character (though we don’t actually see him until the end of the episode) – will be re-watching this season to show if he appears in other episodes/scenes.
• Best Foot Forward – Josh, who has a prosthetic leg, starts middle school after being homeschooled for most (if not all, I can’t remember) of his early education. He is the show’s main character
• ER – Kerry Weaver (initially Chief Resident then yadda yadda yadda Chief of Staff) uses a forearm crutch (due to congenital hip dysplasia). Main character.
• House – Gregory House, MD, walks with a limp and a cane due to a infarction (similar to a stroke) in his thigh muscle. He is the show’s main character. And he’s my fav.