Great Movie With Positive Picture of Folks with a Prosthetic

Rating: 9/10 (16 April 2010)

I have a friend in the area who lost his hand in a wood chipper a little over a year ago. His recovery and return to life have been nothing short of miraculous. A determined will, a strong faith in God, an incredibly supportive wife, encouraging friends and family created the perfect environment for him to recover and eventually become functional with a prosthetic. Just a year later and he is back at work as a doctor, has played golf, returned to biking, and enjoys a host of other activities that he did prior to the accident.
However, the first time I was around him with his new hand was slightly jarring for me. I was surprised, but I could not remember a time in which I was around someone with a prosthetic. Fortunately, my friend appears comfortable with his new hand and understands that it takes a period of time for others to get used to it. His goal is to move to a new hand within the next year that has the dexterity to pick up a quarter. Knowing him and his support group, I'm sure he'll make the adjustment just fine.
Unfortunately, most pictures of prostheses in movies and books are not so positive. From Capt. Hook to Candyman to the Fugitive, rarely are amputees seen in a positive light. There are a few inspirational movies here and there but the stereotype remains.
That was why I was so surprised when I took my family to see "How to Train Your Dragon." The movie has not one but three characters with prosthesis and all are portrayed in a positive light. The way the creators do that is by presenting the characters as leading normal lives. Each finds a way to make life work with their new hands, feet, and wings. Each shows a wonderfully determined attitude to continue despite their setback. Each finds a way to be happy.
Granted, I'm sure folks with prosthetics go through a variety of emotions that I can not fathom. I'm also sure that not everyone's experience turns out as well as my friend's or the characters' in the movie. But I do think it is important to show positive pictures of folks with prosthetics that seek to lessen people's fears and inspire others. Aside from being an entertaining movie, "How to Train Your Dragon" does just that.
Full review found at the Raleigh Examiner http://bit.ly/cNbRE1