Understanding Supercrips

In disability culture, supercrips are people with disabilities who use their talents as a means of "overcoming" their disability. The term is not meant to be a sneer at the person or their talents, but at the method of, and the reason why they use them. They are ashamed of their disability, so they use their talents in an effort to mask it. As a former supercrip, I wanted to better understand what made me choose that path.

Why do some people with disabilities become supercrips?

Societal attitudes, biases, and stereotypes are partially responsible for the existence of supercrips. People with disabilities are generally seen as sick, fragile, less fortunate, helpless burdens on society who are expected to be grateful for the smallest pittance, and are reviled if we express anger at discrimination or mistreatment. Expectations of our abilities are so low that many people are surprised to learn that we can do ordinary things like work, excel at school, shop, drive, or use public transit.

It's no wonder that having experienced this, a significant number of us develop low self esteem even if we have loving and supportive family and friends. We feel that we must not only achieve, but overachieve! It's not enough to be average, or good. No, we have to be better than all the rest because we're ashamed of ourselves, and must overcome our disabilities and prove that we aren't like the rest of "those people". Gifts and talents aren't used for pure enjoyment, but to prove a point. That is the making of a supercrip.

Not every talented person with a disability is a supercrip. The majority of these folks do what they do because they enjoy it. Their reasons for wanting to be the best at it have little or nothing to do with their disability.

Is there help for a supercrip?

The best help for a supercrip is psychotherapy, but not everyone can afford, or is willing to undergo it. The next best thing is to befriend a disability rights activist. These activists have positive views about disability, and see it not as a burden, but a matter of pride. A good place to meet activists is at an independent living center because of the nature of the services they offer.

My redemption

It was disability rights activists who opened my eyes and taught me that I didn't have to overcome my disability. Instead of trying to be extraordinary, I should be fighting for the right to be ordinary, and to do the things that non-disabled folks take for granted. I began to advocate and fight for the right of all folks with disabilities to have the same rights as non-disabled folks - the right to an education, the right to accessible public transportation, the right to live in our communities, and have jobs and families, and the right to participate in the political process. I learned that what I really wanted was for people to see me as an ordinary person just like them, no better and no worse. Best of all, I learned that the greatest heroes are the ordinary folks who do great things for their communities, and who work to make the world a better place for everyone. Those were the best lessons that I could ever learn. Needless to say, after joining the disability rights movement, I stopped being a supercrip!

**Note: In disability culture, the word "crip" is not an insult, though non-disabled people are advised not to use the word when referring to, or addressing people with, or perceived as having disabilities. The same applies to "supercrip".