Crip Camp Zoomed In

Written by Allison Kogut, a UConn student, with support from the DAC team

At approximately 00:32:17 in “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution,” a group of campers have a conversation about how they are treated by their parents. In the 1960’s and before, disabled people were rarely mixed with nondisabled people on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, before they gave birth to a disabled child, these camper’s parents likely never had any true interaction with disabled people. They do not know how to help their disabled child thrive in the way that they deserve. One girl in the conversation complains about how her parents are overprotective. They clip her wings by only seeing her as their daughter who is in a wheelchair, rather than their daughter who has hopes, dreams, and goals of her own. Their answer to her is always “you can’t do this” rather than “how can we help you do this,” and I think it is a very important distinction to make. 

Another boy, at 00:32:57, disagrees. He believes that their parents do not allow their disabled children to do things because they fear people seeing them. This is an upsetting statement, because it reveals that this boy has, at some point, felt that his parents are ashamed of him. As we discussed last class, disability has justified inequality for so long. As a product of their time, nondisabled parents would feel a need to cover up, or “overprotect,” what they feel is an excuse for other people to treat them badly. Even worse, as Jim continues, these teenagers are dependent on these same parents to provide them with what they need for their disabilities. Without the ability to work, they have no way to support themselves without the money from their nondisabled parents. I cannot imagine how trapped they must feel. Jim says, “If I am in a position where I’m not able to do something… she’s going to have to do it. If you keep on bugging your mother… fighting her constantly, then there is going to be a time when she is very reluctant” (00:33:42), which reminds me of “Feeling My Way Through Blindness” by Edward Hoagland. Hoagland also speaks about how he is forced to be passive and kind to everyone, because otherwise they will not help him when he needs it. The inability to be upset is another form of entrapment. 

The last part of this scene that really strikes me was when Rosenblum is invited to talk into the microphone. She is very difficult to understand. There are no captions, which means that we will never know what she actually had to say in this scene. Still, the microphone never wavers. The camera man could have moved on to someone else as soon as she started speaking, immediately deeming it worthless. However, he waits until she finishes speaking, asks if she is finished, and makes sure to check with the other campers to see if they distinguished anything. This is proof that the people who made this film were truly full of compassion for disabled people, and believe that their thoughts and words have value, even just to themselves. It is clear how happy Rosenblum is that she is given the microphone, given her difficulties. One of the counselors decides to speak for her, saying that she, and he along with her, wants privacy and time to themselves. When a disabled person depends on people like their parents in such personal ways, their parents, who cannot relate to needing help in the same way, have a hard time putting themselves in their children’s shoes. If their parents were denied the right to privacy, they would be angry and upset and fight to get it back. However, these teenagers cannot be angry or upset or fight back because they may lose the support that they do need. It is truly heartbreaking. 

To conclude that scene, Jim narrates, “What we saw at that camp was that our lives could be better” (00:36:33). This camp revealed to them that they have a community of people who care for them and understand them, both disabled and nondisabled alike. They survived at that camp without their parents, playing games, swimming, dancing, smoking, and having relationships. Sure, they needed extra help, but it was never considered a burden, simply an expectation. Jened inspired them to fight for their rights, and gain their independence through accessible public spaces and other accommodations. What would the United States be like without Jened camp? Luckily, we will never have to know.