Sidnee McLeod

Dr. Veblen
Music 1800A
November 15th, 2015
Reading: Serres
Serres, D. Think Everythings Normal? Then Its Time To Reconsider And Promote A New Narrative Of
Disability. Retrieved from http://organizingchange.org/think-everythings-normal-then-its-time
to-reconsider-and-promote-a-new-narrative-of-disability/
This article talks about the Culture of Normalcy, the need or want to be normal in society.
The problem with this is that it forces the idea of conformity and exclusion to those who cannot or do
not want to conform. It is stereotyped that those who are not normal will have to lead a difficult life.
This culture is thoroughly described and many examples are given throughout the article, and provides
horrifying facts of what some corporations have done to encourage normalcy. Instead of looking at
people as disabled, Serres strives to change that perspective to people with disabilities, meaning
that it is just a part of who they are and there is nothing wrong with them. This problem is everywhere,
especially in hospitals and schools. Near the end of the article, Serres writes about some solutions and
ways we can look at disabilities with a more positive and open idea in mind.
One of the most interesting parts of the article was how Serres was wording things in reference
to disability- every point he made to it sounded so positive. For example, how it is not special needs,
or support, but accommodations and giving independence. One of my favourite parts is how he
defined Disability as an identity, or an ingenious way to live. This brought up an idea that I heard
someone talk about. A lot of us look at disabilities as a burden, a way of blocking people from living their
life to the fullest. This is a huge misunderstanding that a lot of us have, because we have not
experienced their life. Sometimes, people are happy and grateful for their disability. It is what makes

who they are, and has allowed them to experience things in their life in a different (but still positive)
manner. There is a deaf model who is currently on a TV show and he has been going through the
photoshoots and has faced some difficulty with the photographers, but he still perseveres and succeeds.
One of the things that stuck out in my mind was that he said that he would not want to be able to hear;
that his deafness makes him who he is and he would not have it any other way. It is really enlightening
to have heard that, because it made me realize that a disability does not mean that a person has a
problem, is broken and needs to be fixed. They are not limited, it just means that they have to adapt
differently to life. We do not need to change those who have disabilities, but rather, as Serres said,
societys outlook on disabilities. He begins to do that with how he changes his language.
One of the most surprising things to me is that people still try to force those with disabilities to
conform to our society, when it is painfully clear that that has never been an effective method. I have
never been fond of this method, especially since when it does work, society segregates those who are
not normal from us, especially in education. I also went to a seminar on Special Education, and the key
note speaker said that one of the worst things that you can do is have segregated or special
classrooms. Students need to be with other students that are different, and then it will become a regular
idea that everyone is different. They will be able to interact, and feel included, and the other students
will get rid of the fear of interacting with those who are different. I do not understand how the U.S.
could try to force deaf people to communicate by speaking- apparently the normal way of
communication. It does not make sense because the most effective way of communication for the deaf
is sign language. This brings up Serres point of changing Societys outlook; instead of making them
speak, society could also learn how to do some sign-language. They have to adapt, and we can adapt
too. It is also important that Serres compared it to the past years of history when Native Americans
were forced to speak English. We do not like that idea now, so why should we implement the same idea
on humans who have the same equal rights as us?

It frustrates me when there is a comparison between those who have a disability and those who
overcame their disability. It may be great for that person who does not have it anymore, and they will
be celebrated, but how does that make those who like their disability or who cannot overcome it feel?
It seems very rude, and encourages Society to think that once you overcome your disability, you become
a good thing- normal. That is such a negative influence to the young students with disabilities. They may
feel like the only way that they will fit in is if they get over it. I think that it is important to show those
who do not have their disability anymore, but I also think it is really important to show those who have
adapted and learned to live with their disability. That way, the community can relate to someone, look
up to someone, and not feel bad about what their limits are, but rather, their possibilities.
The fact that everyone is different and there is no such thing as normal could be such a simple
concept. My question to the author is how do emphasize this concept, and make it powerful enough so
that we can take steps to abolish these stereotypes and stigmatisms? I want to have a different outlook
on disabilities too, and especially if I am going to be a teacher. I want to be able to inspire my students
and allow them all to push their potential and succeed. It would be great if we could all learn to see the
potential in everyone, rather than the limits.