“Disability perceived through film” Disability is perceived differently by every person in this world. Some pursue a career trying to help those disabled, while some laugh and prey on those people who are weaker or “different” then themselves. Historically, people with disabilities are people that society, as a whole, does not want to deal with. This is especially true with people with mental disability (BSU.edu). Individuals with mental disabilities are perceived by society to be weaker and less equipped for success in today’s world however this film goes on to show us that if we look past the disability this isn’t always the case.
One work that illustrates this perception of individuals with mental disabilities is the movie “I Am Sam”. “I Am Sam” Is a movie about a disabled man and his fight to keep his daughter. Throughout the movie Sam is told that he is incapable of raising his daughter cause of his disability. This is far from the truth as all Sam does his show love for his daughter and does whatever he can do…show more content… Sam is instantly seen as unfit to be a father. This is completely opposite of the truth. Although he may not be as smart as his daughter, he cares deeply for her and is always there for her. Every night he reads a story to her and Sam and his friends are shown to be a great support group. He continues to get help from his neighbor throughout the movie. However everyone continues to see his disability first before seeing him as a person, including his lawyer. When Sam first met her she immediately characterized him by his disability, she lies to him and pushes the case away. She only decides to help him in order to better her image. What actually happens is that Sam changes his lawyers view on life. She sees his love for his daughter and changes the way she acts with her son. She sees Sam for the person that he is and not just his disability. If more people in the