Midterm Blog - The Gift of the Mentally Challenged

The understanding of equality in today’s society blankets around the idea that everyone has equal rights, equal voice, and equal opportunities to strive up and beyond social norms.  In a typical utopian society this precedent may last unaltered but today’s society is not one bit utopian.  Today, those who are diagnosed as mentally challenged face silenced discrimination every day without their knowing.  

As for the media, rarely do people with down syndrome appear on national television or on the big screen.  Of the few movies focused around the mentally challenged, one of the most significant is titled “The Ringer”.  In this movie, the main character (played by Johnny Knoxville, a character in Jackass) accepts a bet to erase his debt where he must fake being mentally challenged, rig the Special Olympics, and earn some friends along the way.  Though this may seem like a very negative movie thus far, director Barry Blaustein, quickly revamps the bulk of the movie into a plot that emphasizes the mentally challenged as often being model human beings.  At the climax of his movie, in a 400 meter dash, the favorite to win hurts his leg and is put in a position not to finish.  Steve, Johnny Knoxvilles’ character, is forced to make a decision: win the race and save his debt or turn around and help Jimmy (the favorite) finish the race.  Here marks Steve’s transformation from a selfish, egotistical man at the start of the movie to one withholding morals and virtues at the end.  His alteration lies side by side with the movie’s structure as it transforms from a story making fun of the mentally challenged to a story proving that those with down syndrome may not be the mentally handicapped after all.  

Too often in society we shorthand the mentally challenged.  Too often we look down on them as if it is their fault they were born with a genetic mutation.  Too often do we fail to realize the gift those mentally challenged have when compared to the rest of society.  Behind the curtains the today’s social norms lie an abundance of corruption and disdain.  We often look at those of different races, genders, religions, etc. as different people.  We let our lives get corrupted with hate and remorse.  We let stereotypes rule our lives.  

I have a friend, or in this case teammate who is mentally challenged.  Jaime is a Brien McMahon freshmen who is making his transition from freshmen football to Varsity football.  Prior to this upcoming season, Jaime practiced with his fellow freshmen and, when late August sets in, he will be practicing with players up to two grades older than him.  Jaime never misses a meeting.  Jaime never misses practice.  Jaime never misses weight room.  Jaime is the most upbeat teammate I know.  When seeing him in the hallway he always has a smile on his face.  He always seems to be the happiest kid I know.  That is his blessing.  His shield from the world’s hate is his genetic mutation.  It is a lens against the bad and a magnifying glass for the good.  I believe if our society were to look at life a little bit more like Jaime does, our lives would be a lot nicer; a lot friendlier; a lot kinder.  Maybe there would be less gossip, less worrying about another person’s business.  Maybe people will stop finding fault with each other.  Maybe our lives could become somewhat harmonious.