Bringing Disabled Characters to Life on the Page

“Disability is natural. We must stop believing that disabilities keep a person from doing something. Because that’s not true… Having a disability doesn’t stop me from doing anything.” – Benjamin Snow

My mission from the beginning was to bring characters with disabilities to life on the page. Throughout the years I have grown in my writing and in how I bring characters to life, but the way I go about this has not changed. My first step is to feel the character’s emotions, which has received some positive response, as well as some questions about why my stories are so depressing. I deal with tough topics, but there is hope in those stories, so let’s talk about how to write about a character with a disability correctly. If that’s what the reader is thinking, then either I’m failing or the reader isn’t reading the story in its intended form.

Generally, don’t make the disability the center of the plot, but there are those rare exceptions. A disability by itself can’t make the entire plot of a story. Throw in romance, intrigue, or anything else that may enhance the story.

Generally, don’t make the disability the center of the plot, but there are exceptions. A disability by itself can’t make the entire plot of a story. Throw in romance, intrigue, or anything else that may enhance the story.

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“There is no greater disability in society, than the inability to see a person as more.” – Robert M. Hensel

Disabilities are visible and invisible; not everyone with a disability is has a disability you could see. Your character should tell the reader what type of disability he has, and if the disability is invisible, explain that it doesn’t mean he is faking it.

Don’t assume that just because someone has a disability that they live a sad, depressed life, because that’s not always the case. Keep terms like Wheelchair Bound out of your vocabulary, wheelchairs allow freedom, and no one is in a wheelchair twenty-four hours a day.

You don’t have to cure your character, or make readers feel pity. Disabled people do not need or want it.

Investigate your character’s disability and how it affects their livelihood. Understanding more than just the physical and mental effects of your character’s disabilities is important.

Do not use your character to push an agenda. Many miracle cures and alternative therapies harm those with disabilities more than they benefit.

Don’t Get Medical unless you know what you’re talking about, and even if you do, don’t assume your reader does. Make your writing understandable without dumbing it down.

Make sure you do not use ableist slurs or other discriminatory language in your writing, for example, do not use terms such as psycho, borderline, crippled, if in doubt speak with someone with the disability. If you are unsure about a word, find another one.

Talk to someone you know with the particular disability or find a support group online or in person.

For instance, I learned about amputees, kidney failure, and other disabilities from friends. In particular, my best friend.

By showing what those with disabilities can accomplish, fiction and non-fiction writers can assist in moving those with disabilities forward in their quest for inclusion.

You should create believable characters. Don’t create a Pollyanna, but don’t make a character who complains all the time either.

Lastly, have fun, create a character you are passionate about, if you don’t enjoy what you’re writing, your reader will too.

Remember, we all make mistakes, it’s nothing to be ashamed of, learn from them, move on, and keep writing.

© Michelle R Kidwell

July.13.2022

Revised

September.25.2023