#disabledveteran

What made Avatar (2009) so successful that it held the record of highest-grossing film for nearly a decade after its release? Director James Cameron explains," 'Avatar' is about finding our home, finding our family, finding our clan. And fighting to protect that which we found and earn our place in it. That turns  out to be a more critical part of it than people realize," says Cameron. 'That's why it spoke to every culture in the world and shot to No. 1 in every market. It  was dealing with a universal truth of the human condition that transcended  culture.'" (Alexander) 

Beyond the story, Avatar featured an unprecedented display of special effects. Specifically, motion capture and CGI were used to bring the Na'vi people to life. These groundbreaking advancements in CGI  paved the way for modern superhero films to incorporate fight scenes with  CGI. In addition, Avatar spurred audience interest in movies in 3-D or IMAX. This is thought to be due to CGI making the film so immersive.  

The sequel comes out this December and promises to make even more advances in special effects. Avatar (2009) was the most advanced film of the 2000s, but how does it hold up a decade later? The film's still essential to the history of special effects, and the world of Pandora is still immersive. Walt Disney World has created Pandora in Animal Kingdom, including Flights of Passage, where guests can ride a banshee. The ride is hugely popular.  

IMDB summarizes Avatar (2009): "A paraplegic Marine dispatched to the moon  Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and  protecting the world he feels is his home." 

It has been criticized for having a generic plot that revolves around a white man saving native people who are presented as less advanced. "In the post-Global War on Terrorism era, there are increasingly more representations of contemporary disabled veterans. These representations reflect a cultural desire to integrate and appreciate veterans while at the same  time expressing larger anxiety, hate, and fear about both disabled veterans and  disabled people in general." (Schalk, 403)

Photo by Richard Catabay from Unsplash

Films are often rooted in real-world social and political issues happening at that time. 

Disabled people are often seen as weak or lesser, but this view conflicts with the image of a strong patriotic soldier. As medical advancements allowed more soldiers to come home disabled with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder, the idea of a veteran evolved. Still, the image of a disabled person didn't.  

Disabled veterans conflicted with societal expectations. This conflict created cultural anxiety. "Avatar attempts to alleviate cultural anxieties about contemporary disabled veterans by representing protagonists who exist at  the top of a disability hierarchy and can therefore be more easily integrated into society." (Schalk, 407) The disability hierarchy is defined by the norms of society. The standard protagonist is a white, cisgender, straight, able-bodied man. The disability hierarchy compares people with disabilities against these traits.  

The less you match that description, the lower on the hierarchy you are. "Disability hierarchy is not about disability type alone, but rather it is a complex, intersectional differential valuation of disabled people regarding who can and cannot or should and should not be accommodated and integrated into a society based on a variety of factors"(Schalk, 408) Jake Sully is the stereotypical protagonist with a disability.

Sources

Alexander, B. (2019, December 31). James Cameron predicts 'Avatar' will ultimately top 'Avengers: Endgame': 'I think it's a certainty'. usatoday.com. https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2019/12/18/avatar-10th-anniversary-james-cameron-predicts-beating-avengers-endgame/2680090001/?subId1=xid:fr1576780607704hjf

IMDB. (2009, December 18). Avatar. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0499549/

When I discuss my medical issues many times it’s actually these “comorbidities” I am talking about. Although the majority of my medical issues can be explained by my genetic disease called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. The majority of the time when I discuss my medical issues I get the looks of disbelief or some have even asked “do you really have all these problems?” The answer to that is simple, it’s yes!

So I decided I’ll list only the comorbidities that I have confirmed diagnoses (dxd) of. During the next couple of months I will discuss these medical problems in more detail.

These are not in any specific order. The list is a Semi-common Comorbidities (Unofficial) list. It's how the article labels it and I think it’s smart to label it this way. Mainly because there currently isn’t any statistics, how common these comorbidities are among EDS patients. The original list can be found at the website at the bottom of this post.

FELLOW ZEBRAS I’d like your input on anything you see that you also experience or have been diagnosed with.

~ Chronic Pain * dxd neuropathy*, neuralgia Myofascial Pain Syndrome* ACNES

~Fibromyalgia*

~Mood disorders dxd Anxiety*, PTSD*, Major Depressive Disorder*

~ irritable bowel syndrome IBS*

~Incontinence* at any age (often from occult tethered cord and/or MCAD or allergy induced) only experienced not diagnosed

~Uterine or rectal prolapse, pelvic floor dysfunction*

~Frequent (seemingly idiopathic) nausea and vomiting (may be from impinged vagus nerve/MCAD/hiatal hernia/gastroparesis/Chiari)

~ Arthritis of all kinds, Osteoarthritis* in the spine, neck and hands, but RA common especially early onset

~ Insomnia* also referred to as “painsomnia”(trouble falling and staying asleep, multiple causes in the EDS patient including pain and hyperadrenergic)

~ Hypotonia (unusually weak muscles despite “training” or physical therapy)

~Dizziness* (with or without syncope)

~Thyroid issues (high and low, often auto-immune despite normal TSH “levels For me Hyperparathyroidism*

~Deviated septum

~Chronic and recurrent sinus infections and sinusitis* (allergy shots have helped this)

~Frequent joint dislocations and subluxations (partial dislocations) or being so-called “double-jointed“ bracing is helping

~ PCOS and menorrhagia (very heavy periods)

~Tendonitis* and bursitis* of all kinds (aka “soft tissue rheumatism”, alt. tendinitis)

~Varicose veins* and spider veins, often early onset, easy bruising*

~Migraines* and headaches of ALL kinds and durations, (often driven by hydrocephalus from MCAD)

~ Strokes* (I had a TIA 2012)

~Mitral valve prolapse* (mine is mild)

~Easy bruising* often from no apparent cause or injury

~GERD* (weak hiatal sphincters and MCAD can contribute here – the stomach produces acid in response to histamine from food reactions)

~Gastroparesis* (slow or no stomach emptying) and dysmotility (poor digestive movement) beyond just constipation and IBS, possibly from impinged nerves & vessels

~Sciatica* (VA lists this as SI Joint Dysfunction

~Bilateral hip dysplasia* (sometimes seen at birth, and later) ability to “pop” – aka sublux – hips out and back in easily, which should be avoided!)

~Malabsorption and malnutrition* and nutritional deficiencies despite diet and even supplementation sometimes. (Poor absorption).

~Electrolyte imbalances* (often low potassium)

~Osteopenia* (low bone density) and osteoporosis* (brittle bones), often early onset

~Hiatal hernia* (stomach to esophagus sphincter) and all other forms of hernias just about anywhere (inguinal, duodenal, abdominal, etc.)

~Costochondritis* (pain at front rib attachment point to sternum)

~Chondromalacia* (cartilage loss) of all kinds, especially patellae (loss of cartilage in the knees, but can occur elsewhere, e.g. hips)

~Frozen shoulder

~Striae* aka “stretch marks” even in males and young (prepubescent) females (i.e. not always associated with pregnancy!)

~Bruxism* (jaw clenching, tooth grinding)

~TMJ* pain and issues, subluxations and dislocations (Temporo-mandibular joint syndrome, jaw alignment trouble)

~Restless Leg Syndrome* (RLS) and leg cramps (often eased by increased magnesium)

~Plantar Fasciitis*

~Chronically low Vitamin D and B12 levels* (caution urged for those with MTHFR mutations with the latter, may need a different form of Vi

Weak or crowded teeth, many need early or partial dentures

~Receding gums*

~Hair loss early, and even in women, especially those with signs of MCAD or iron imbalances

~Deviated septum (misaligned nasal cartilage)

~Trouble swallowing & choking issues, often neuropathic in origin from CCI, sometimes due to floppy laryngeal tissues

~Esophageal spasms (can extend to anywhere along GI tract also)

~Skin tears or rips, trouble suturing, would dehiscence (trouble healing post surgery, especially soft inner tissues)

~Liver problems, including fatty liver and lesions, enlarged liver

~Enlarged gallbladder & spleen, appendicitis (may be MCAD driven)

~Breast Ptosis (sagging, droopy breasts) had surgery to lift and reduce

~Leaky gut syndrome

~Dry eyes and blepharitis (bacterial eyelid infections), as well as retinal tears and more

http://ohtwist.com/about-eds/comorbidities