Inspiration + Action

If you have watched ABLE: a series, you know how I feel about the word “inspiration” when talking about people with disabilities.  Various guests throughout the series talk about the dangers of disability portrayal in the media being a source of inspiration porn.  It is all too common for disabled people to be called an inspiration for excelling in basic day to day activities.  Instead of “inspiration-shaming” you further, I want to unpack what it means “to inspire” in the first place. 

Today, my mentors Jen and Pete discussed the concept of inspiration in their podcast The Long and the Short of It.  In the episode, Jen illuminates one dictionary definition of the word inspire as, “to fill someone with the urge or ability to do something, especially to do something creative.”  The episode helped me conclude that inspiration and action exist side by side.  You cannot be inspired and sit on your butt all day.

One of my disability justice role models, Haben Girma, states: “People with disabilities get called inspirational all the time.  My response is, ‘What are you inspired to do?’  Allow that emotion to drive change.”  BINGO!  How are you linking inspiration and action?

The next time you read a book, watch a film, attend a keynote speech, or participate in a conversation that leaves you with that tingly feeling of inspiration…do not stop there.  Pause.  Think.  Ask yourself, “Now what?  How will this feeling of inspiration propel me into action?”  And then act my friends.  Speak up, take a stand.  Make moves.   

How are you linking inspiration and action?