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[Cerebral palsy in literature, cinema and television]
S Collado-Vazquez1, J M Carrillo2
1Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcon, Espana.
Insights
Media portrayals of cerebral palsy (CP) vary in realism, sometimes accurately depicting patient experiences and other times amplifying dramatic aspects. These representations, while potentially increasing stigma, have ultimately enhanced the condition's visibility.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Media Studies
- Disability Studies
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) encompasses developmental disorders affecting movement and posture due to non-progressive alterations in the developing brain.
- CP is frequently associated with epilepsy, cognitive, sensory, communication, and behavioral disorders.
- Media representations of CP have been explored across various platforms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the portrayal of cerebral palsy in literature, cinema, and television.
- To examine the spectrum of realism in media depictions of CP.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of media content featuring cerebral palsy.
- Review of literary works, films, documentaries, and television series.
Main Results:
- Representations of CP symptoms, patient experiences, treatments, and societal interactions are common in media.
- Depictions range from highly realistic to dramatized and exaggerated portrayals.
- Some media representations may distort reality, potentially increasing stigma.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral palsy is widely depicted in various media forms, including fiction, comics, and film.
- While some portrayals are realistic, others may perpetuate stigma through distorted visions of reality.
- Despite potential inaccuracies, media coverage has increased the visibility of cerebral palsy.
Introduction:
Cerebral palsy is defined as a group of developmental disorders affecting movement and posture that limit a person's activity. They due to non-progressive alterations that occurred in the developing foetal or infant brain in the early years of life and are often accompanied by epilepsy and cognitive, sensory, communication or behavioural disorders. Cerebral palsy has been portrayed in literature, cinema and television, and this study aims to explore how it has been represented in these media.
Development:
Cerebral palsy has frequently been represented in literature, cinema and television and with varying degrees of realism. The symptoms, the experiences of patients, relatives and caregivers, treatments, supporting products, architectural barriers or social and labour relations have all been portrayed. Sometimes they have been represented in a way that is very close to reality, while in other cases the most dramatic aspects have been amplified to add to the plot.
Conclusions:
Cerebral palsy has been widely represented in works of fiction and testimonies, comics, films, short films, documentaries and television series, sometimes in a very realistic way, while in others it has been done in a way that may increase the stigma surrounding this condition by offering a distorted vision of reality. Nevertheless, in any event they have helped to make this condition more visible.
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