Stereotypes of disability in TV drama

• The disabled person as pitiable or pathetic

This is a common stereotype of disabled people as due to their disability people may look at them as being unable to do things for themselves and therefore pity them. An example of this would b
e within the inbetweeners episode 'Larks in the park' where the disabled lady who gets hit with a Frisbee appears to be pitied by the boys playing football nearby who come to her recuse when Will tries to steal his Frisbee back. Also she could be viewed as pathetic in the way that she was unable to fight back and heavily relied on her friend to make justice.
A counter type for this would be Walter White Jr from Breaking bad who creates a website in order to take donations to fight his fathers cancer, his efforts appear successful making him not appear pathetic at all as he does a good job as receiving donations.

• His/her own worst enemy

This is often used as a stereotype when the character is seen to not believe in themselves and often throws away any chance of doing what they want to do due to lack of self confidence. This happens as the character believes that because of their disability they are not as good as other people and therefore they become their own worst enemy.

• Sinister or evil

A stereotype of disability would be that the character becomes evil in hope to gain power over people who may not be in the same position as them. This is often used when the person has been belittled and they try to 'take over the world' in order to prove their dominance and to show that they are in fact more able than other people. An example of this would be John Lumic who is a villain in doctor who and was paralysed and therefore slowly dying. In this TV drama he creates the Cyber men which he used to try and take over London and receive the people's energy to keep him alive and stronger than anyone else.
A counter-type for this would be Artie from Glee who appears to be loved by all of his friends and shows throughout the series his willingness to be there for them or anyone who needs it. This shows how he is not viewed as sinister or evil but as a kind and trustworthy person.

• Burden

Someone with a disability are often viewed as a burden to those around who they heavily rely on. Particularly those in a wheelchair have to rely on other people around them to assist them with everyday tasks such as getting to/from places. An example of this would be in the show Secret diary of a call girl where a disabled boy is brought to the women's house by his father. The awkwardness of this situation is shown here and it is clear that the boy would much rather have come on his own especially when his father has to lift him into the bed and then kisses him goodbye in front of the girl he is trying to impress.
A counter-type for this would be Walter White. Jr from Breaking Bad who insists on being called Flynn and asks his friends to teach him how to drive so he can be independent and not have to rely on his parents or anyone else.

• The super cripple

This is a stereotype where although the person has a disability they are still able to do amazing things and often will do something that is admired by many people. It shows how they have not let their disability hold them back and is often used as a stereotype to prove that someone with a disability is just as capable as anyone else.

• As Non-sexual

A stereotype for disability would be that the person is viewed as non-sexual because of their position. Many people may believe that because someone is in a wheelchair they are not viewed in the same way as someone without a disability would be and therefore are looked at as non-sexual as well as some people believing that they are unable to do something that a non-disabled person could do. An example of this would be Blake from the secret diary of a call girl who says he is "not that used to be touched" showing how he has not experienced anything like that before and how it is not normal for him.
A counter-type for this would be Artie from Glee who has had a relationship with nine girls throughout the series of Glee including popular, co-captain of the Cheerios Brittany Pierce. This shows how he is viewed as a sexual figure in the show and the girls he has dated were not put off or embarrassed by his disability.