The power of disabled representation on TV

I like many of you love Strictly, and this year we have the first person with Downs Syndrome on the show, and it’s been wonderful. The power of disabled representation on TV shouldn’t be underestimated, and I would love to chat about it today.

Nobody could possibly live in the UK and not know Strictly Come Dancing; it is definitely one of the most popular shows on TV here. I have watched it since season one because my grandparents were dancers and we used to watch the old Come Dancing together; they became fans of this show too.

So, when Ellie Goldstien was announced dancing this year, I was so incredibly excited because I know how much the show is loved in that community. I was so excited to see how well she would do and especially when she was paired with my favourite professional Vito.

Seeing someone who is disabled on such a huge mainstream show really does breakdown misconceptions and help us to be seen as people. Ellie is showing that she can speak for herself, she is fun and can speak up when something is said or assumed which is incorrect. It has also been lovely to see Vito standing up for her too, really taking on a big brotherly role.

Representation and Visibility:

Recently, we have seen so much negative talk around disabled people and how we should go back to work. The misinformation that we are lazy and pretending to be struggling so we don’t have to work is awful and scary when we are threatened with losing our benefits.

It is especially hard when the truth is that there are not enough jobs for able bodied people and most workplaces are not accessible. Add onto this the fact that we are sick and often have limited energy and mental health conditions, and trying to push us into work becomes more precarious.

All of this talk by the government, however, has seen more hostility towards disabled people and one of my friends experienced this first hand just a few weeks back! Having someone like Ellie on such a big TV show helps people to see us as human beings who definitely want to be part of society, but changes need to happen first.

I think what makes it even more important, is that Ellie is not just a token disabled person, she is competing. We get to see her being interviewed and shown in the extra little fun videos on the show and it gives me so much hope and joy. I loved seeing her waltz this week and how beautifully she dances, she listened to everything the judges said, and Vito has changed his teaching style to help her.

It shows how small changes can make all the difference to disabled people and then society can see how much we can shine. Our lives will not change until society changes and by being included on a show like Strictly, we can see conversations happening. The power of disabled representation on TV can clearly be seen every week and oh my goodness it fills me with so much hope!

Personal Connection:

I will be honest, I am so excited to be watching Ellie on Strictly because she is shining, her dress was stunning this week, and I love seeing her and Vito. It has been so lovely to see her interviewed and treated the same as everyone else on the show this year. Nobody is talking over her or down to her, and the changes that are made are for her and I assume asked for by her and her team/family.

I remember I used to watch the American version, Dancing with the Stars, and they started having disabled people on sooner than we did. I would feel often that it was so cool to see people encouraged to talk about their disability, but it did feel a little like inspiration porn. Like look what they can do with one arm, you have no excuses get out there and make your dreams come true, and it didn’t feel the same.

But this year’s Strictly does not feel like that, Ellie isn’t constantly being asked about her disability and there has not been any inspiration porn! It has really felt emotional to see her being treated as an adult and with respect things are changing and it has been a lovely reminder of that.

The power of disabled representation on TV, is that people like me can feel seen and included as part of something everyone is talking about. It reminds me of the year Tasha Ghouri was on Love Island and then also on Strictly, she inspired me so much and now Ellie is too!

Seeing disabled people being represented not just as disabled, but as a contestant on a mainstream show has so much power! It changes how people see us and talk about us, and shows just how diverse disability is, Tasha and Ellie are so different, but they are both members of the community of the largest minority group in the world!

I am loving watching Ellie change the world one spin at a time on Strictly showing the power of disability representation on TV. She is getting people talking and thinking positively about disabled people and hopefully it starts to help people see that the reality is we are all different, and we are all valid! Let me know in the comments who you are voting for this year.

Spoons and Sparkles xx

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