In her personal essay, “Problems with Inspiration Porn,” writer Anna Wasserman critiques the patronizing way disabled people like herself are treated. Her essay turned out to be a hit among nondisabled readers, who praised her writing as “truly inspiring.”
The New York Times described the essay as “a remarkable look into the life of someone you wouldn’t want to be. Necessary.” The Atlantic wrote, “Doctors have yet to determine what causes ‘inspiration porn,’ a strange affliction impacting the differently-abled. What we do know is that Anna Wasserman has overcome many limitations in her life.”
In addition to receiving critical praise, the essay has gone viral on the internet. One Twitter user posted a link to Wasserman’s work with the caption: “She calls out normal people in a way that will make your heart swell.”
Taken by her story, BuzzFeed invited Wasserman in for an interview. “We originally wanted to do a profile on an up-and-coming writer,” interviewer Drew Banks told The Squeaky Wheel. “But this feel-good piece about overcoming disability is even better.”
During the interview, Wasserman expressed her frustration with the public’s response. “Most people who read it missed the point,” she said. “It’s disappointing. I don’t know how I could have made it any clearer.”
Banks nodded intently. “Yes, thank you for sharing that,” he said. “It’s wonderful that your disability doesn’t stop you from speaking your mind.”
You can find Wasserman’s interview on BuzzFeed, next to “20 Memes that Will Inspire You to Get Your Lazy Butt to the Gym.”
I’m surprised I haven’t seen this piece on Thought Catalog…