Bill Shannon says we all have our crutches.
Shannon’s are literal—he has a bilateral hip deformity due to a childhood illness, and has turned his crutches into an art, riding a skateboard better than almost anyone I know all while using his crutches. He uses his skateboard dancing to break barriers and open a playful but powerful communication between someone who is disabled and the general public.
Bill Shannon’s got an awesome attitude and has found a way to not only thrive despite his challenges, but because of them.
Awesome work, Bill.
About Joanna Schroeder
“Bill Shannon’s got awesome attitude”? Can this phrase be any more dehumanizing? What does Mr. Shannon’s attitude have anything to do with his skill as a performer? Why is it when a person with a disability does something ordinary bipedal people find it ever so inspiring? The answer: it is a way to exert social dominance and oppress people with a disability. We choose to “admire” people with a disability but do not provide any of the required social services needed to make a rich and full life possible. We choose not to employ people with a disability. We choose to make mass transportation inaccessible or problematic at best. The Mayor of New York City chose to make the so called taxi of tomorrow inaccessible. I could go on and on…
First, I too have a bilateral hip deformity, I was born with a complete bilateral hip dysplasia that I was fortunate enough to have had grow in sufficiently well that I have a very “normal” life from outside looking in, but I have chronic pain due to bursitis in both hips and spent my childhood in PT and being teased because of my walk (which is barely noticeable to adults, compared to crutches, I realize) which, depending upon my pain level that day can be anywhere from very stiff to a slight sway. I don’t compare my experience to his or to yours, because I have the privilege of being able to be mainstream in an ableist society, but I can say that my life has been about trying to maintain a good attitude with chronic pain.
His attitude actually does come into play in his performance – watch him – his whole thing is that he isn’t performing “Jackass” or pranking anyone. He wants to bridge a gap between himself and the people watching, he wants to lightly tease while understanding that people are trying to be helpful. There’s an attitude to his performance which is what seems to make him successful.
If, in any way, me admiring his performance and skateboarding abilities (I too skateboard, great way to keep up with my kids without having to run) and what he’s doing with his performance art is dehumanizing, I’m incredibly sorry. That was never my intention. I just think what he’s doing is cool and I like the tone and intent of his message. I called that “attitude” but perhaps a different word would’ve been better.
speaking more broadly on disabilities.
the london 2012 paralympic and olympic month is over [a golden summer, just capped off with andy murray's usa open win]
i think there should be big one month long event instead of two events.
society changes when elite institutions, companies set the standard, if the para and olympics merged and became one event, other institutions would have less excuse to avoid more integrated disabled services.
whereas now institutions, corporations can use the excuse that providing services for the disabled is too costly and logistically difficult [which are some of the reasons given for the separate Paralympics]
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i really enjoyed the paralympics. i wasnt able to view all the sports as unfortunately the bbc didnt have the broadcast rights, so each event did not have a live online camera feed – wtf.
I feel murderball/wheelchair rugby is overrated. It is not like rugby, more like rush-footie [rush = playing without a goalkeeper. why dont they have just one person in defence]. It also appears to have no tactics, just a free for all. It is boring to watch how easy it is to score[as noone seems to want to play in defence or goalie lololol]
I found i really enjoyed watching wheelchair basketball, I hate running basketball but have really enjoyed the wheelchair version:
1 It is physical with chair bashing into each other.
2 It is tactical with American Footballlike plays, but the action continues instead of stopping. It is beautiful to watch the emerging chesslike passes/plays . They are like busby berkeley dancing moves/ Barcelona futball passes – how a ball sport should be played. Graceful, powerful intricacy
3 Futball is often a snoozefest with its too low scoring rate. Running basketball with its high scores, renders scoring emotionally meaningless, making each score is not like an orgasm[as in futball] but like an itch.
The medium rate of scoring in wheelchair basketball is perfect emotionally, value and flow-wise
4 The games goes fast. Ten minutes of play is played in about fifteen minutes
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The NBA should consider helping raise the profile of wheelchair basketball and host wheelchair games before their matches[if the courts are the same length and the baskets can be lowered]
Joanna, Thanks for tour response and the elaboration on your views. The use of the word attitude comes with much baggage when used in reference to disability. I avoid its use as much as humanly possible as it is often associated with what some in disability rights refer to as inspiration porn. I agree with you Shannon’s performance is “cool” for a street performer. And yes, he is getting a message across in a cool way as well. I must confess though I prefer the AXIS dance company. Again, thanks for the thoughtful reply. It is rare to read comments that contain reason.