Film Review Two- Murderball

1. The main thesis of this film was that being in a wheel chair or having a physical impairment does not automatically make you disabled by definition.

2. The main arguments in support of this thesis were examples of the lives of the men in the video. They were able to dress themselves, go to the grocery store, have sex, and all other types of activities. The only thing which was unattainable was the ability to walk. The sport of Quad-Rugby, deemed Murderball in its' origination, requires a great deal of skill, agility, and psychical ability. The sport itself seems to be the exact opposite of the term/label "disabled".

3. The thesis of the film relates to the course as it completely obliterated many of the stereotypes and beliefs regarding persons in wheel chairs. It challenged the very definition of able bodied, as there are many allegedly able bodied persons who would find Quad-Rugby very challenging. Also, there is the assumption that all persons in a wheel chair wish that they could walk. This may be the case for the first few years, but in time a certain level of acceptance sets in. Not every person who cannot do something wishes that they could.

4. The arguments I found most convincing were the stories the men themselves had to tell. There are so many stigmatized beliefs about those who have been deemed "disabled" and this film was constantly showing why this belief is inaccurate. In the very beginning of the film, Mark Zupan was shown fully dressing himself. This is something even I had not thought plausible by a person in a wheel chair. The movie also allows for your own beliefs and assumptions to be addressed.

5. There was not any one point of this film which was not interesting or relevant to the thesis.

6. If I were to conduct a research study, it would have to be in regards to adjusting to live in a wheel chair within the first year. I would want to learn what made the process easier, and which factors hindered it. Did large amounts of moral support play a role? If someone was left to their own devices and coping mechanisms, would they have a favorable outcome? How did the reason for their needing a wheel chair factor into their initial recovery?