Paragraphs: *Disabilities Forest Gump* 1. Were the people with disabilities portrayed in a positive or negative light? In what ways? In Forest Gump, the characters' disabilities were portrayed in a negative light. Forest, was teased and harassed for having metal braces around his legs. Supposedly Elvis Presley copied his leg gyrations and used it in a positive light for his music career. But certainly didn't bring Forest any fame or fortune. At best, being harassed for his disability allowed him to obtain incredible running ability when he ran away from the bullies chasing him. Besides the physical limitations of Forest's early years, he is more famous for his lack of IQ or smarts. This overall disability although presented in a comical way, was more negative then positive. His mother had to sleep with the school director in order to get him admitted. He was displayed as someone lacking common sense and being gullible. He showed his butt tucks wound Lyndon B. Johnson, then president of the United States. He had a general ignorance to the places and events around him. For example he did not understand that he was invested in Apple Stock or even when to stop after scoring a touch down. However, he did have a genuine heart and love for his long time love, Jenny. His overall goodness and acceptance of his abilities and limitations allowed him great success in life. Finally, Lieutenant Dan, after losing his legs in Vietnam, was portrayed first as someone who has no reason to live for. Just another disable veteran and causality. His depression and lack of will power was portrayed in his hate of Forest for saving his life, his hippy lifestyle, and recreational drug use as evident of his condition at the New Years Party. However, as time progressed Lieutenant Dan, overcame his disability by getting prosthetic legs and finding a renowned sense to live both when joining Forest on his shrimp boat and later on finding a suitable bride. 2. Was the depiction of the disability accurate? Why why or not? In terms of mental illness and or intelligence short comings, there are so many different stages and levels of disability that just about any depiction could have been accurate. Since the entire movie was presented from first person as the world was seen in Forest's mind, I will accept that his experiences were accurate, but at times hard to believe or incredible. For example his success in college, his ability to survive Vietnam, and his success at being a shrimp boat captain. Overall the disability was accurately believed but the events he experienced that were outside his control, were amazing at minimum. As for physical limitations of both Forest and Lieutenant Dan, the disability was accurately shown. A man with no legs would be shown to use his arms for mobility as well as be in a wheel chair. And only with prosthetic legs would ever gain upright mobility. Forest's childhood limitation and the braces on his legs seemed odd, but due to my limited understanding of medical treatment as portrayed in the early 1950's per movie setting, I will accept it as an accurate portrayal with maybe a bit of
exaggeration for effect. 3. Do you believe people will come away with a better understanding of the disability from watching the film? Why or why not? I believe the ultimate outcome of the movie will have a positive effect on its viewers in terms of disabilities. Both Forest and Lieutenant Dan come to terms with their disabilities. Although the people who interacted with them will keep their prejudices as is expected in our society of ignorance and ridicule of the disabled, but these two characters will inspire others in their predicament to have faith in their ability to achieve something great. Hopefully the viewers of the movie will have a better grasp and understanding as to what these characters have gone through due to their disability and just how hard it is coup with their surroundings. And if nothing else, at least cut the disable a break once in awhile.