The last time there was a writer's strike, "Star Trek the Next Generation" came up with a script using a Deaf Actor, Howie Seago. Many people derided the episode as pitiful, stupid and other names I won't print here. It was said if the writers had not gone on strike, it would have never been made. They are most probably correct. Which brings me this point.

Will this strike bring about some more Deaf, Blind, Disabled actors to earn their pay in the sunny lights of the acting studio? It is no falsehood to say that Science Fiction Fans tends to attract those that society deems social freaks. While social PC would frown upon saying that those who are disabled are looked upon any differently, that PC is out of touch with reality. Disabled often feel as if they are aliens on their own home world. Writers who write Science Fiction have in large part due to various reason, have some reason to feel the same. Not all of course, but many.

Which brings me to my long winded point. Why are there not more stories published, played, shown, hey even movies where the main character is disabled but not a freak or twist of nature. Someone who just happens to have a disability and lives with it like a person does with freckles or inhalers? Many Science Fiction shows do have a history of showing those with disabilities in favorable light.

George La-Forge, of "Star Trek The Next Generation", blind since birth, gets around with the use of his visor. Dr. John Ballard, of Seven Days, nearly blind and a wheel chair user. Are two that come to mind. Both played by able bodied actors, but I will not quibble today on that point. I mean for characters with flaws who are a part of everyday life and not a part of some heart tugging pity as some pious meaning of life character.

So while my fellow professional writers in Hollywood and else were are on strike, I can not help but wonder if maybe there will be another show with a strong flawed character, living life and defeating the bad people/aliens/gods/stupidity that comes their way. It would be a strike in favor of the disabled everywhere.

Nancy Louise