I admit it. I’m a news junkie. When I worked full-time, I kept both my car and desktop radio tuned to NPR at all times, and most days I leave a 24-hour news channel on during the day when I’m home and Nathan is sleeping. I have a Google search set up in my reader to seek out stories on Down syndrome and cerebral palsy (most of my Sun-Beams links come from these daily Google searches), and I heart the free USA Today iPad app.
Lately, though, I’ve begun to see reporting for what it (often) is: a giant behemoth of inaccuracies, shaping our perceptions under the noble guise of “information” that is all too often incorrect, or at the very least, colored by a lens that we as individuals may not share.
One of the news stories in my reader this week was about a boy in Georgia who tried out for his school’s basketball team – “Cerebral palsy couldn’t stop seventh grader’s basketball dreams”. It was a fluffy, feel-good piece with little depth and no significance in the broader spectre of “current events,” but it frustrated me in the preview sentence in my reader, before I ever clicked through to the full article:
“A seventh-grade player on the Evans Middle School basketball team, Wil suffers from cerebral palsy, a genetic disorder that affects muscle tone and hampers motor skills.”
Funny. I didn’t see anywhere in the article where Wil provided a quote saying that he “suffers” from his cerebral palsy.
I did, however, come across a few other quotes:
“Wil puts his heart into everything he does and gives it 100 percent….Effort will carry you a long way.” – Wil’s father
“He was always doing his best to pump up the team…He would always give us speeches during halftime to get us motivated.” – Wil’s teammate
Suffering? Really?
Cerebral palsy is a struggle to be sure, but struggling does not necessarily mean suffering.
I don’t expect everyone to know everything about the various conditions, disorders, and syndromes that exist – I’d be the first to admit that I know very little about, say, cystic fibrosis or muscular dystrophy. But I also know better than to make sweeping declarations about things that I know nothing about. If I WAS asked to talk or write on one of those topics, you can bet I’d do my research first.
Which brings me to issue #2:
Contrary to what was reported, cerebral palsy isn’t a genetic disorder. While studies to determine whether or not there may be a genetic component are ongoing, there’s been nothing definitive. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder. It would have taken the reporter all of 30 seconds on Google to learn that simple fact. Instead, he printed false information that was subsequently read by a great number of people. Responsible journalism FAIL.
Choosing to describe people with disabilities as “sufferers” or “suffering” brings to mind the experience may of us have had – euthanizing a pet because we don’t want it to – you know what’s coming next – suffer. The word “victim” conjures up images of helplessness and an inability to be independent – the so-called “burden to society.”
And the thing is, this article was just one example of many I’ve come across in recent months – language wolves dressed in warm fuzzy sheep’s clothing. Here are a few more (emphasis mine):
Broadcasting dream comes true for cerebral palsy victim
Young victim of cerebral palsy gets an assist with a softball fundraiser in Bayonne
I appreciate the feel-good stories about people overcoming adversity. I just wish the media would report the stories as they should be reported.
Ali – so true – and it all comes back to People First language, doesn’t it? Something that has been around for 25+ years, and that is very straight-forward and easy to implement, but somehow has not taken hold, especially with headline copy writers (in my experience). I share your pet peeves and I’m particularly bugged by “wheelchair bound” – because my wheelchair is exactly the thing that gives me my freedom and independence!
I’m so sorry I just typed “Ali” when I meant “Andi”!!!
Wow, this is so true. I am new to all of this but I don’t think I have ever said Carsyn suffers from Cerebral Palsy. I always say he has Cerebral Palsy. Thanks for sharing. I am the opposite of you I do all I can to stay away from the news. Ha ha.
Andi, I loved how you talked about Cerebal Palsy and gentic disorder. I often get asked that question because a cousin and I both have a child with Cerebal Palsy. It also gave me some food for thought 🙂
I took a class in college called “Disability in Society” where we dissected such statements as “suffers” and “victim” and using people first language. Sounds like some journalists should sign up for the class!
You should contact him.
His Twitter was listed with his byline, so I tweeted him. Not surprisingly, I didn’t hear back.
shmuck.
GoDandelion (i.e., Dandelion magazine) posted the following on this blog’s Facebook page in response to this post. Thought it was worth reposting here.
“Agreed! When working with new writers, our editor always gives them the formatting 411. It’s actually in the AP Stylebook too: “Avoid such euphemisms and descriptions that connote pity, such as afflicted with or suffers from.””
This is so true! I was discussing this problem over the last couple of weeks with my husband. I am so skeptical of the quality of the news we receive. I am even hesitant to take a stand on controversial stories without qualifying my opinion because I wonder what pertinent information is missing from what I have read. So glad you spoke about this! Did you correct them?
Michele
I tried, Michele. The byline included a Twitter address, so I tweeted him. I never heard back.
Not that I’m surprised. Reporters don’t exactly have a long attention span. 😉