are there too many theys in this essay, and does it affect the overall score of it? Dear Mr. Moonves,
My name is <PRESIDIO_ANONYMIZED_PERSON>. I am a rising sophomore at Ladue Horton Watkins High School in St. Louis, Missouri. I recently read the book We Should Hang Out Sometime by Josh Sundquist, a disabled motivational speaker. His book outlines his attempts at finding a girlfriend during high and college, with many failures. He often denied that his missing limb would be the source of his insecurity, but he eventually acknowledges that it is. This book brought me to see disabled people in a new way. Although they are different, they try their best to be themselves and I think that should be praised. I believe that an increase in disabled representation in the media is needed. I am writing to you to ask if you would make a greater effort to hire disabled people because it can break down their negative stereotypes, allow them to have more job opportunities, and allow young disabled children to have a role model to look up to.

Although we try to be as respectful as possible toward disabled people and view them based on their character, stereotypes still linger in the back of our heads. Just saying “be respectful” isn’t enough. A few common stereotypes portrayed in the media of disabled people include “pitiable/pathetic, [...] super cripple (as if having a disability anoints them to some superpower), [...] [and] laughable” (Reid). Many of these come from TV shows, movies, and how writers and media write about disabled people. Africa is an example of media manipulation. The generalized American view of Africa is a dry, desolate wasteland, but there are beautiful places in Africa like Seychelles that get less attention. Luke Staniland, who did a study on the public perception of people with disabilities, says “Attitudes are seen to play a key role in achieving equality because they may translate into behavior towards individuals and groups in society which have negative consequences” (Staniland). With these negative perspectives, it will be difficult to pull society out of its deep hole of generalizations. Disabled hosts or workers can change these stereotyped lenses by showing their abilities in the media. 
Job opportunities are also difficult to come by for people with disabilities. The unemployment rate for disabled people in 2022 was 7.6%, more than twice the number of non-disabled people at 3.5% (Labor Force). Hiring them gives them chances that they never would have thought of earning. Disabled people are also disproportionately more likely to have blue-collar and service jobs (46.6% to 37.7%) compared to people without disabilities (Kruse). Employment opportunities are limited for disabled people in the media industry. Rarely are they even given the right chance, and the most common jobs for them mail and post service. Somewhere out there, there is a disabled student with a dream to become a journalist or reporter. Changing the system by making an effort to find the right disabled people for the right job can drastically change people’s negative perceptions.
An idol is something that we all have. My idol is Magnus Carlsen, a chess grandmaster whose play inspires and brings beauty to any position. Shouldn’t we all have someone who inspires us? A well-known inspiration is Stephen Hawking. Despite being diagnosed with ALS at 21, his studies of the universe and relativity laid the groundwork for all we know today (“11 Outstanding People Living with Disability”). Not just in science, there are already inspirations in the media. Stacy Kaye is a disabled role model who is an ambassador to a women’s magazine that reaches 1.6 million homes (Byzek). Even though she is paralyzed in her lower half, she still can express herself through her writing. Journalism and writing are an outlet for many disabled students, who one day may go into that field. But without seeing anyone like them, they might be anxious to face the challenge, which makes disabled hires even more necessary.
 
Josh Sundquist was insecure about his disability. He wouldn’t accept that until he understood that himself believing there was a problem was the issue (Sundquist 317). We have all had insecurities that haunt us and we deserve to not let those control us. Students, adults, and children with disabilities all feel this way, and the feeling is expedited with negative stereotypes and misconceptions toward them. No one deserves to feel this way and much has been said about treating people with respect, but when will it stop? We cannot change this issue until there is more representation of people with disabilities in the media. With their hard work and dedication, they can prove they are much more than just a pitiful, tragedy-struck person, but rather a capable and unique person who can change the narrative of others like them and push for equality.