Case Studies: Tiny Tim, War Veterans, and Inspiration
These case studies offer a helpful focus for analyzing representations of disability that change over time even as they—paradoxically—remain the same: the ever-present figures of the charity case (a.ka. “The Tiny Tim), the disabled war veteran, and the inspirational cripple.
These interviews include footage not seen in the final version of the film. They are organized into units and themes for community discussions and teaching.
Representations of Veterans
From our pre-production archives: identity crisis, reintegration, disability advocacy, The Men, Coming Home, sexuality with Victoria Ann Lewis and Lawrence Carter-Long
Inspirational Narratives
From our pre-production archives: supercrip, adjustment vs overcoming, Waterdance, lack of expectations, interdependence with Lawrence Carter-Long and Mike Ervin
On “rehabilitating” Tiny Tim
From our pre-production archives: A Christmas Carol, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mask, Elephant Man, melodramatic plot, kill-impulse with Victoria Ann Lewis
War Films
Best Years of Our Lives, Harold Russell, Coming Home, PTSD, reading cinema through war films with Lawrence Carter-Long