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There was a US kids' programme with a wheelchair bound kid in it. Malcolm in the Middle. Was the kid in that really in a wheelchair?

Although I was reticent about the show for the reasons you highlight, I watched the pilot and found myself drawn into it. I would've preferred a real wheelchair-user, but McHale does a very good job. Don't stop believin'!

I loved Glee but to be honest was annoyed that the wheelchair user was yet another non disabled actor 'cripping' up. Come on people, let us in. Don't Stop Believin in us! Also, what about Avatar? Non-disabled there too. But then again, take out 'cripping' up who will be winning Oscars?

The Glee wheelchair episode was obnoxiously condescending, idiotically ableist, and seemed completely ignorant of a little law that's been around for TWENTY YEARS called the Americans with Disabilities Act. I hated it. I was all ready to like it and I was incensed.

I'm also pretty sick of able-bodied actors playing kids in chairs -- there are plenty of able-bodied parts out there, but not a lot for kids in chairs.

I found it hard to be incensed by a storyline that involved cupcakes. I don't get your point about the ADA. It might be against the ADA not to have ramps at a public school, but it's believable that some schools break that rule, isn't it? It would be more ignorant *not* to highlight access issues. I agree they went about it in a very syrupy way, and that the tone was condescending. I don't think Kevin McHale is anything special as an actor or singer, it is fustrating that his part didn't go to a wheelchair user. Whoever casts these things thinks you can create a disabled character by dumping a non-disabled stage school kid in a prop wheelchair. They need to understand the 'life experiences' as qualifying criteria for the actor, because it absolutely does make for a stronger disabled character.

Also, disabled kids need to be decent actors. There's surely an issue over ambition, access to classes, agents and auditions that runs deeper than the casting decisions for network shows.

What about Lady Gaga using an able bodied "wheelchair dancer" in her concert performances of Poker Face?

"I would've preferred a real wheelchair-user, but McHale does a very good job."

Who are you and what have you done with the real Chris Page?

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I know there has been a lot of criticism of the show, both in the USA and UK. But is it a bad thing that finally someone with a disability is on a mainstream show? Surely this will open some people’s eyes to what it is like to be different? There are some serious stereotypes embedded in the show, and the character in a wheelchair doesn't actually have a disability. But I suggest that reaching a true depiction of disability on TV is going to be a long and windy road. Just like the debate around using models with curves instead of stick thin women. So isn't it a good start?! www.inspiremagazineuk.wordpress.com

I don't think Kevin McHale is anything special as an actor or singer, it is fustrating that his part didn't go to a wheelchair user. Whoever casts these things thinks you can create a disabled character by dumping a non-disabled stage school kid in a prop wheelchair. They need to understand the 'life experiences' as qualifying criteria for the actor, because it absolutely does make for a stronger disabled character