Yet despite gains in rights for disabled people, the press continues to sensationalize when doing stories in which a disability is involved to the exclusion of real news. It's not just the approach to disability that's unethical. The copy's awful, too. But it makes most disabled people today cringe. Sometimes, of course, the disability is the story.
Wheelchair athletes push cross-country to raise funds for rehabilitation groups.
Charities approach reporters with stories about clients made good. Practice good journalism. There's been too much of it. California Angels pitcher Jim Abbott has felt the frustration ever since CBS News' Charles Osgood, back in 1987, refused to allow him to be a regular pitcher, over Abbott's on-air protests. Press focus on Abbott's lack of a right hand has continued.