Sickly sweet media
- 11 Nov 05, 12:00 AM
If Lady Bracknell were in a position to give an award for the week's most sickly sweet international news item about crips triumphing over tragedy,
would definitely be a contender.
It's an account from Tara Pipia who was a spectator at the New York marathon, and who found herself unexpectedly moved to rapturous applause by the disabled (sorry, "amazing disadvantaged") competitors who were, of course, all "brave". Even the ones who had "seemingly no disability", but who must have been brave because they were wearing special red t-shirts as "testimony to their disadvantage". (You couldn't make this stuff up.)
Now, Lady Bracknell couldn't run a marathon to save her life. She can't even run for the bus. But if she were a vision of athleticism, she would very much prefer to be treated equally than to be referred to as "an elite in her own way". Because, strangely, she would consider that sort of attitude to be just the teensiest bit patronising.
• Visit
Comments
What a wonderfully brave post Lady B. :)
Where can I buy a red T Shirt? And an axe.
Oh, my favourite line is: "They weren't dealt elite status in life," There's an Email address for Tara at the bottom of the page... huh.
This reporter is obviously very 'special' herself. I have rarely read such a lot of patronising nonsense. She needs a stern word, so she does.
This idiotic woman needs to get herself along to the Beijing Paralympics - then she'd see elite athletes.
I can think of a 'special' hand gesture I would give for their 'special applause'. Great post Lady B!