"My 12 Pairs of Legs"

Aimee Mullins, a woman who is an athlete, actor, and walks on prosthetic legs, gives a beautiful TED talk about disability. She redefines what it means to be disabled, transforming her disability into ability called "My 12 Pairs of Legs." She talks about children and how from an early age, they are taught to be fearful of disability and restricted from asking questions. Mullins is attempting to turn that upside down, inviting people to acknowledge and discuss. She talks about her prosthetic legs, reframing them as objects of empowerment that can elevate her body rather than hold it back. She talks about transforming something that might make people fearful and instead invites them to look. In showing her various pairs of legs that have been made for her, she touches on whimsy and its importance. This struck a cord with me. What does it mean to be serious, and when is seriousness important for respect and dignity? I think that when I think about disability, it is somber and dark seeming. But why does it have to be dark? Why can’t it be seen as an opportunity to be whimsical? Of course, not all disabilities are equal and perhaps some have more room for whimsy than others. But this made me reconsider my default, that maybe I am doing disability a disservice by assuming that it has to be a sobering encounter. Maybe acknowledgement is one of the most important things, because it is what allows you to move past the negative and find beauty in a situation. I think that this can be applicable outside of the context of disability. To me, this illuminated the difference of acknowledging and dwelling. I think that this is a really empowering talk by a powerful woman who makes a moving case for reframing what seems to be negative and turning it into something incredible.

https://www.ted.com/talks/aimee_mullins_prosthetic_aesthetics#t-413094