Movies about People with Disabilities

Are you looking for a great movie about persons with a disability?  If you are there are some great movies out there.  There are some that are humorous, and some that are serious. The following is a list of five of the best.

#1: “Simeon Birch” (1998)

Character’s disability: Simeon Birch has dwarfism

Moral of the story: This is the story of twelve year old Joe Wenteworth and his friend, Simeon Birch, the small child in town. Simeon Birch suffers from dwarfism. His condition makes him small and his heart weak. Both Simeon and Joe are town outcasts, and this makes their friendship even stronger. In the summer of 1964, the two boys join forces to try and discover who Joe’s father is (his mother refuses to tell anyone). Over the course of the movie, Joe’s father is revealed as is Simeon’s God-given purpose for being small.

#2: “Forrest Gump” (1994)

Character’s disability: Forrest Gump is mentally challenged.

Moral of the story: Forrest has was born intellectually challenged and with a crooked spine. His mother wants him to be normal, but he never is. She give Forrest the phrase “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are gonna get.”  With this philosophy in mind, he sets off to live life and pursue the love of his life, Jenny. Forrest wandering places him at several

historical events. Although he overcomes his spinal problem, he never overcomes his disability. 

#3: “The Miracle Worker” (1962, 2000)

Character’s disability: Helen Keller is both blind and deaf

Moral of the story: This movie is based on Helen Keller’s autobiography “The Story of My Life”. The story is about her and her teacher, Ann Sullivan who helps her become aware of the world around her. Helen has been spoiled and allowed to do whatever she wants because of her condition.  It takes the strong willed Ann to introduce both discipline and learning into her dark world.

#4: “The Book of Eli” (2010)

Character’s disability: Eli is blind

Moral of the story: This movie is set in a post- apocalyptic society. Eli makes his way westward with a sacred book that he believes will restore mankind. His journey takes him thirty

years to complete, but he survives using his unique fighting skills. Carnegie, a new world mob boss, tries to take Eli’s sacred book, but he is unsuccessful. It is amazing that it is only toward the end of the story that the viewer discovers that Eli is blind and the book he has been protecting is in Braille.

#5: “Powder” (1995)

Character’s Disability: Powder is gifted

Moral of the Story: Powder (Jeremy Reed) is a boy who has extraordinary intellect and paranormal powers. He is also an albino. His mother was struck by lightning while pregnant with him and dies shortly after he is born. His grandparents keep him in the basement because of his

unusual abilities. Unfortunately, he can’t live on his grandparent’s farm forever. Once his grandfather dies, he is removed from the farm and taken to a boy’s home and forced to go to

school.  Powder is exceptionally smart thus his classmates view him as a freak.  He eventually returns to the farm. While there a thunderstorm comes and he is struck by lightning and disappears.

 

The movies listed above are only a few that explore the world of people with disabilities.  There are great movies, and some can be used to demonstrate the importance of acceptance.