Quantum Leap
This is an old one, something that’s been irking me for more than ten years (when I first saw this episode). Now is the perfect opportunity to get it off my chest. The premise of Quantum Leap is that there is this scientist Sam who “leaps” into different people’s bodies and takes over their lives for a short time in order to fix something that went wrong in that person’s life. It’s neat because you see lots of different characters and people in a variety of situations. Sam has a sidekick, Al, someone from his own time who appears to only him as a hologram and helps guide him in what he’s trying to fix. In one episode, Sam leaps into a Vietnam war vet who has just become a double above-the-knee amputee. To start with...
Read MoreDisabled Actors Found
It turns out, and I am beyond delighted to say this, there are disabled actors working in television. My friends told me about these: Robert David Hall as the coroner, Dr. Al Robbins, in CSI. Michael Patrick Thornton as Dr. Gabriel Fife in Private Practice Zach Weinstein as Sean Fretthold in an episode of Glee (too bad they had him just laying in bed the whole episode) “I just believe that everyone should have an equal opportunity to try for parts, whether they’re able-bodied or disabled,” Weinstein says. “And the best actor — whoever that is — should get it.” Well said, I couldn’t agree more. ETA: And more! http://www.tealsherer.com/ Teal Sherer, who has a recurring role on the webshow The Guild and is working on her own...
Read MoreAbove Suspicion
This is an old Christopher Reeve movie, from before his accident. In what I consider to be creepy irony, he plays a paraplegic. Sort-of. The basic plot is that there’s this cop who gets shot in the line of duty and paralyzed. Over time he starts thinking that his wife is cheating on him. He decides to kill her. It turns out that he actually is not paralyzed at all or no longer paralyzed or something. So he stands up and shoots her. Then he’s on trial and the entire trial focuses on the angle of the bullet wound and how he would have had to be standing up, but he can’t stand up because he’s paralyzed. In the most ridiculous dramatic act, the opposing counsel stabs a pair of scissors into his leg to prove his point and the cop manages to not...
Read MoreExtreme Ghostbusters
How about something positive for a change, a show that gets it right? In the mid-90s there was a cartoon show called The Extreme Ghostbusters. The idea is that a middle-aged Egon is teaching classes about paranormal stuff at a college when bad stuff starts happening and he recruits his class of four to become a new ghostbusters team. It was a little on the cheesy side, but pretty well written, especially for a spin off. One of the students is Garratt, a fearless adrenaline junkie in a wheelchair. His disability is very rarely mentioned, and no back story or explanation is given for it. There is only one episode where some FBI investigators mention that he was born disabled. He is a classic jock with a big heart, he is always ready to go in first and he’s...
Read MoreBooks
It turns out that there is a whole sub-genre of romance books about “wounded heros.” I had no idea! From what I can tell from the descriptions these seem to be usually over-the-top, sappy stories emphasizing the tragedy of the situation. Apparently, the hero is almost always bitter and angry about his disability and shuts himself away from the world until he is brought out of his shell by the feisty heroine. Far from perfect, but I guess it’s a start. I think it’s good to have sexy lead characters in romance novels that also have disabilities. I’m waiting for it to not be the main focus of the story! Also, I wonder where the female characters with disabilities are. I’ll have to dig and see if that plot exists in romance...
Read MoreWay to go, Lost
Lost I’m being sarcastic. I know I’m way behind on this. I didn’t want to start watching Lost until I knew there was an ending. So I’m just starting Season 2 now. Here’s the scenario, Dr. Jack has a patient whose spine was broken in a car accident. His speculation is that it’s likely the woman will be paraplegic. Woman’s fiancee comes to see the Doctor. “Will she be able to make love?” Suggestive silence. Dr. says, “You should know that there’s a good chance Sara will need full time care for the rest of her life.” “Like she won’t be able to go to the bathroom by herself?” Horrified look on fiancee’s face. Great, Doctor, just great. First of all, the answer to the first...
Read MoreProgress Trackers
At proofreaders; available for pre-order
What Is Meant To Be
Second draft
Homework & Homicide (working title)
Second Draft
Book Montage
RFW winner October 7, 2011
