Disabled People Are Not Your Inspiration (American Sign Language Vlog) 

Since RU-vid has demonetized this video, here’s how you can support if you wish to: + Buy a coffee: ko-fi.com/A740BFU + #NoMoreCRAPtions shirts on sale through the 21st: bonfire.com/nomorecraptions + Sign up and make an order with Rev and get $10 off (Affiliate Link): www.rev.com/blog/coupon/?ref=rikkipoynter + TRANSCRIPT: docs.google.com/document/d/18vS0ABUq0oCrbbw1Zd7WGV0DGmlJ8XRuRxqAK8M-iH4/edit?usp=sharing re: voiceovers - after trying multiple ways to do a voiceover for this video, I've come to the conclusion that I really cannot do a voiceover for a video containing TWO people. There's really no way for me to be able to read the captions when dialogue overlaps, etc. on time and all of that. So, all 3 collab videos (and any collab ASL video in the future) will not have voiceovers, but of course will have captions and transcript two ways. My sincere apologies.

I wrote a thing a while back, about how certain minorities living their lives is viewed as “inspirational”, and my conclusion was, essentially, that if my existence is “an inspiration” than what does that say about the world I live in? It’s similar to how people tell trans ppl “you’re so brave!”. It’s an almost recognition that society is shitty to certain people, without any of the self-reflection that could lead to actual change

The number of times someone has told me (from a very early age, my teens) that if they had my conditions they would kill themselves is disgusting. People were trying to convince me my life wasn't worth living even before I had any thoughts like that. Why do people think that is okay to say, especially to a child? It never once made me feel more understood or w/e they were going for.

I'm not fast at reading & I don't understand *most* ASL, but I still really appreciate that you caption these videos. I may have to pause to read, or rewind because I missed something, but I'm still glad to be able to participate in the content you're putting out. I really value what you both had to say in this video, esp as a hoh spoonie myself. I just went & subscribed to Chrissy too so thanks for opening my eyes to another awesome deaf youtuber!!

thank you for uploading this!! as someone who has a chronic illness and chronic pain, and struggled a long time trying to adjust my lifestyle, i can’t stand inspiration porn. it annoys me so much when people i know applaud a disabled person just for existing. instead of praising us for living our lives, can you help make that living a bit more accessible and kind, and stop viewing disability as a fault????

I agree with your opinion on the Colleen video....it was very weird and seemed to just drum up a lot of “oh you’re such a great sister!” Like, for what? For being nice to her brother? But the news stories always piss me off...it’s not news! People SHOULD be decent to one another because we’re humans, not because they have disabilities and you feel sorry for them...

Seriously though, everything that you both mentioned in this video really does hit the nail in the head every single time, it can be really frustrating when you get people start saying "I'm sorry you're deaf,i'll pray for you" and so many other variations of that kind of thing, quite often when they do that kind of thing i always end up giving them a real cold stare, and if im in a mood on that day, i'd take my hearing aid out in front of them and say something along the lines of "Just because im deaf, does not give you the right to patronise me and the disability that i have, just like i dont have the right to pick on some of your apperances like for example that mole on your eyebrow, i really dont like that and i'll pray for it to go away" Quite often this does give them a smack back into reality, but as you say, the REAL problem is people watch these kind of things to feel better about themselves but DOES absoultly NOTHING to improve asscessibilty/ accomodate to make things easier for all concerened !!

hey!! im learning asl and your videos in asl are so fun to watch and practice reading signs!! plus i love the insight to the Deaf community you have to share. keep on keeping on my dude

Thanks for highlighting this often overlooked aspect of social interaction from a disabled point of view. As an autistic person I have also experienced being viewed in a pitiful light by others. "But you don't look autistic!" is something I get a lot. I just laugh it off, though.

I was talking to my work friend about how I was dissociative and (dissociation is not really a big deal to me. It happens randomly. It’s not the worst thing ever) a coworker came up and was like “oh, I’m so sorry! Do you want me to get the manager to let you go home?” and I was like “no, i’m fine. I can still work” and she was like “oh, okay. You’re so brave!” No. No I’m not brave. I deal with this shit everyday to the point where it’s more like a nuisance than a problem.

cool video, I am Autistic and have had people say "oh I'm sorry" and similar, I like theatre and acting and have often had people being all surprised when I tell them I am Autistic. This is a brilliant and important video.

So many people like to watch people with "worse circumstances" to feel better about themselves and talk about how inspirational they are for "having a good attitude/being so strong". Super annoying and insensitive.

Ladies, that was very inspir....er, very good! ;)

I never thought about how that close be offensive to the disabled community so thank you for sharing this. It makes sense that it would feel belittling to be praised for doing things that everybody does because its basically saying that hearing people are more capable than you which is not true. Thanks for the video! I love watching your videos as a way to practice sign language 😊

This video and the comments section are absolute gold. You always put things so eloquently and yet at the same time so down-to-Earth real. Thank you so much for making it. The next time I see someone post inspiration porn, I’ll share this video with them.

i'm in a wheelchair and when somebody comes up to me to ask me why I'm in a chair the first thing out of their mouth is when was your accident like WTF why is it that an able body person goes up to a person in a wheelchair think its ok that the first thing out of their mouth is when was your accident like dude not everyone that in a wheelchair was in an accident some of us where born without the use of our legs it doesn't happen to me a whole lot but it droves me crazy that people that aren't in the disabled community think its ok to treat us like we're some kind of god or what ever when they see us in public we're disabled in some way and can do normal things we're not all severely disabled to the point we can't do things for our selves

For people who hear perfectly well just turn on your captions so you can understand what's going on.

I was once told by a guy I was on a date with that I was inspirational for being disabled and wanting a relationship. Yeah no. That's not inspirational. I am not inspirational for wanting a relationship. My partner is not inspirational for being with me. He hasn't settled, he doesn't pity me. He loves me for who I am. I do voluntary youth work. If one of the kids tells me I'm inspirational, it's really sweet and flattering. They drive me to distraction, but they're brilliant.

I love Chrissy’s hair!

Happens to me all the time with hearing people. "Oh I'm SORRY!" LOL well yeah why would I be pitying myself for having a hearing loss? I'm okay. 😂

I'm a simple man, I see a Rikki Poynter freshly uploaded video, I click

does anyone know where Chrissy's shirt is from? It's so cool!

one of the really insidious things about inspiration porn news stories is exactly what you mentioned at 5:30. people consume these stories as a way to make themselves feel good for a few minutes and never actually take a step back to realize that the fact that shit like this is happening means that accessibility is nowhere near where it should be. it wouldn't be "newsworthy" (though like you said, that's a questionable status at best for inspiration porn) if it weren't so unusual, and the fact that it's unusual is horrifying, but nobody wants to think about that. they just want to coo at the next exhibit in their human zoo and then go on with their day.

You guys rock! I love learning from you and listening to your experiences.

I just found you through your collab videos with molly, I noticed you have a playlist with just ASL and you're really helping me learn how to sign (: I'm not deaf by any means but I've always wanted to learn ASL. Love your videos 🙂

This is such an awesome video and i am so proud of you for making it!!!!😊😊😊💕💕💕😊😊😊

I love the message, and this is also excellent practice for learning sign for me!

This was a really great video! I'm looking forward to subscribing to Chrissy! ^^

thank you so much for this. i’m deaf and i learned so much from this video, how ableist society has conditioned us to think a certain way. i’m now trying to remove these barriers and trying to educate people, while still learning and unlearning.

This video was amazing and i wish more people would see it, it really lets people know why things are offensive and wrong to say, I’m hearing and I’ve never ever thought of saying stuff like if i was deaf/disabled I’d kill myself, and I like to think I’m a respectful person but this video made me even more aware of what things are offensive or what things could be done differently and i really wish more abled people would see this, i have a chronic disease and I do have times that I struggle with it and it helps me slightly relate to some things mentioned and idk just really great video, loved the message!!! Also I’m not trying to compare anything by mentioning that i just saw somebody else mention it and i thought hey same

I’m actually really surprised youtube doesn’t demonetize the phrase “inspiration porn” since they seem to be demonetizing everything these days, but I’m not a youtuber so I don’t know how it all works, I just found it mildly amusing. Also I will be sharing and sharing this video because inspiration porn drives me up a wall to put it nicely.

Very smart stuff, ladies. Thank you!

Why did I watch this with headphones

I loved this! thanks for talking about this huge topic in today society! loved to hear about what you had to say about the topic, and I completely agree with you and crissy about all y'all said (including collen's vid)! I have scoliosis (30 degree curve) and my physical therapist is ALWAYS saying how we're "such strong patients" lol, like I just want to do my pt and get better xD I know some sign language too! I love working with the special needs students at my school! I love helping them in anyway they may need! the end the r word rally was amazing to be at too!

I feel the same, thanks to voice it out (is "voice" still a correct term since technically you signed it?); me doing body positive things with a body that is "different" while some able persons struggle with body acceptance and people praise me for it I will accept it (althought for me it's wednesday cuz I was raised to accept my body as it is...but I get why it can be "inspirational"), people praising me for breathing...that's crossing a very uncomfortable line seriously. Thank you for trying to make a difference...the shitting everyday part, that one is for you to enjoy hopefully with the door closed if someone's around.

I personally didn't like her video because she was acting as if he didn't get the cochlear implant she wouldn't talk to him because it would be "hard for HER" to communicate with him...*rolls eyes* . At least that's the vibe I got from her video when she interviewed her brother.

My little cousin is HH,and we think he may be loosing hearing, and will become deaf. I've known ASL since before he was born. The FIRST thing that was asked is if I could teach him, but i didn't need to. When i did i was praised but its like, why? I'm just helping. He is now 2 YR and everyone is saying 'Oh we need to get him a CI' or 'We need to fix this problem.' So far i am the only one to say that's not okay. It's not a huge problem. No one else has tried to learn ASL for Luke. If anything that's the problem. Learn his language! And, don't make him get a CI that young. Maybe get him like, hearing aids, but let him make the decision when he is older weather or not he wants them.

Hi, I like your finger nails polish color thingy. Looks very pretty!

Thanks, amyzing!

I am a left leg amputee, (since the age of 3)). I work 40 hrs a week, I drive a car, I rode a bike, climbed trees, skated etc just like any other kid. I work 40 hrs a week, I drive a car. Exactly what "normal" people do Every. Single. Day. It is irritating to hear, "You are an inspiration to me, to work and play like nothing is wrong" Really? Because I get up, put two feet on the floor (OK , ONE foot on the floor the other one stands in the corner near my bed), and go to work every morning? THAT'S inspiring? You need to raise your standards LOL. Oh one thing I get asked ALL the time. "Do you sleep with your prosthetic leg on?" I always say "Do you sleep with your SHOES on?" - -same concept.

I understand how crappy the world is, to everybody, but even more to people who are 'different'. I'm different (even though i can hear... a little too well sometimes :/ ) and ive been through a lot. But every generation continues to celebrate mediocrity and fake-news "feel good" stories when somebody actually acts like a person should. Like another commenter mentioned, 'what kind of messed up world are we living in where being respectful or kind is "so unheard of" that it makes the news? ' i agree. When i complement people (like i have on your last 2 videos i just watched), I'm 'amazed' and 'inspired', not because you're 'normal people who can dress yourselves and go to the bathroom on your own' (yes thats degrading and dehumanizing even if people don't Mean to come across that way) but because you happen to seem actually amazing, funny, intelligent, and helpful people. I hope my comments and compliments never seem to be patronizing or anything, because i really mean it when i try to compliment somebody. You made me laugh, you taught me something, and yes i really like both of your voices (from the 'hearing' video i just watched), but i don't want it to seem like "oh you can talk? Amazing! Way to overcome!" Cause its not. Im a hearing person struggling with disabilities that make everyday life very hard for me, and nearly dying more times than i can count has made me appreciate all kinds of 'simple things' most take for granted. Now that I've finally found a means to learn asl like ive wanted for so long, I've been learning all i can, including deaf culture. I look for things like these which talk about bias (it happens in ALL groups), obstacles, and accepting people. Being part of the solution not the problem. Like rikki said before about people who criticized her for not signing, then for 'signing crappy' then not signing again, for voicing or not voicing, "pick one!"... i get that. Im glad you girls are strong enough to bring it up and help us less- educated people know, instead of being those intolerable people who just want to bitch about everything. The 'Karens' and 'Kevins' who just don't feel right unless they are being hate-mongers. Im glad you are making these videos, i think you're great, and I'm learning all kinds from you. Thank you. :)

eww yeah, I know those types of shares. I feel like those people are like zoo animals... and when u say something about it people go like "OMg why cant u just be happy for that disabled person!!!!"

Me been deaf since birth. And I did seen people say stuffs like pity or something like that. They say oh nice, want to learn sign language in which they never do/did. Lol many things like that. But I honestly don't recall anyone told me that they want to kill themselves if they can't hear music. Anyway, I am happy with who I am. It would be nice if they treat me the same as they do to others. But in most case, they don't. So I think it is very common everywhere.

Great video ladies! I don't get why anyone would think doing a mundane task would be any more remarkable just because you can't use one your senses. Like you say deaf people can do the same stuff hearing people can. It takes a little extra work, but you get it done like anyone else. How would you listen to music as a deaf person? I'm genuinely curious.

But yes 100% agree, deaf people don’t need pity

I took asl for 3 years and I still needed captions smh

I Havnt watched the video, but the title is correct. There isnt one Disabled person that is my inspiration. Alot of people often say "Beethoven must be your inspiration/Idol/etc".. I'm like.. [censor] orf.. lol

I'm thinking I don't want to try communicating with deaf people. WAY to many things apparently set them off, or hurt their little feelings.

Is there a sign that means "I'm sorry" in the sense of asking someone's forgiveness because you messed up or can you just sign "excuse me"? Or is the "excuse me" sign for interrupting/needing to get someone's attention. I ask because if I was talking at a deaf person without realizing they're deaf and then they explain they're deaf, my first instinct would be to say "I'm sorry" but not in the sense that I pity them; in the sense that I confused them, caught them off guard, and IM the one who made the mistake. You know what I mean? Because the hand sign for letter A rubbed in a circle on the chest does mean "I'm sorry" and it's the only one I know.

Nail on head. Some of my biggest pet peeves are inspiration porn and that pity. I speak up every time I see that stuff on reddit. I hate the turning on CI for the kids. Its vile stuff onl because of they are seen as "fixed." But they are still deaf if the CI running out of battery or if its off or they arent using it. They are deaf with temporary shitty hearing. And CIs are exactly as you said a ton of work and not like actual hearing. My second peeve is the pity. I have chronic vertigo. Like all day everyday. I am used to it for the most part. but I like to talk about it and vent about it a lot. Because it can be stressful when you dont ever get a break. I dont want pity, I just dont want you to think I am drunk. The only inspiration porn I like is when people are going above and beyond normal everyday stuff. Doing amazing stuff. And question....Does lip reading ever just kick in or just all of a sudden click. Because for the last week or two. I noticed that I understand almost everything people saying if I am watching their face. like In this video I understood but you and chrissy very well without captions or sign.

What is the percentage of people for whom cochlear implants don't work?

Great video your friend there has hearing aids ?

Why do you have it silent I get not speaking but you edit out the sound. Great videos just wondering

Is there any way that I, as an abled hearing person, could start a conversation or stop the stigma that I see amongst my own circles? Like no accessibility is a big thing for a lot of people, and I’d like to use my privilege to advocate for that. But, I don’t want to be a spokesperson for disabled people, if that makes sense. Literally everyone I’ve ever met, disabled or not, wants to have their own voice and not have any one “speak for them.” So, really my question is: is there a way I can “help”* in a way that is respectful? (*Help seems like the wrong word, but I can’t think of anything else, sorry!) I’ve been loving these videos btw, I’ve learned a lot! I really hope this comment isn’t ignorant. Please let me know if so!

Just out of curiosity, this kind of video, with the ASL and no audio, is in no way accesible to non sighted people, like Molly Burke, who wanted to watch it? Or there is a way to do it? I mention her cause she's a friend of Rikki, and as far as I know she follows her content. It's just a question out of curiosity, not trying to offend anyone :)

Hai

Your on so many levels its pretty much the same here if your deaf HH its like your not deaf or your hearing is not bad enough so your excluded from.things including help in education... Big problem here.. And as you point out the I'd kill myself comment s from people is very disturbing... I wish more would just take a moment to understand where we coming from and not have pity or say how sad to be who we are we deaf we HH . we hearing problem.. We don't need to be fixed what we do need is accessible .... ;) we not an inspiration when we do something that hearing person dose. .. Our struggle are still there ... As for technology its not fix ... Its an aid . you don't suddenly hear with ci. Or hearing aids it just helps even if there was a cure I seriously doubt people go rushing for it.... An why would they the cultural deaf ... Its videos like these that important to spread awaness so people better understand how things really are .. Thankyou you Rikki an Chrissy... For this video x

I cringed when Chrissy keeps interrupting Rikki. Please stop