Defintions:
Ableist or Ableism (Able-ist) (Able-ism) Ableism is the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior. At its heart, ableism is rooted in the assumption that disabled people require 'fixing' and defines people by their disability.
Sports Announcer Chip Hite: “Welcome viewers from all over the world! This is Chip Hite and my co-announcer as always is Brendon Goodway. We welcome you to Madison Square Garden for the International Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Championship!"
Sports Announcer Brendon Goodway:
“It is Luxembourg against the U.S.A. We will be right back to get the action started after we pay some bills.”
Commercial plays for The Acme Wheelchair Company.
Jingle singers:
"♫ Acme Wheelchairs will get you there! ♫
♫ Nothing gets in your way! ♫
♫ No curb, or bump or stair! ♫
♫ Order yours toooooodaaaaaaaaaaaay! ♫"
Sports Announcer Brendon Goodway:
“We want to thank Acme Wheelchairs for sponsoring today's action. Remember, with Acme Wheelchairs, nothing gets in your way.
Both teams are out warming up. They are both undefeated this season.”
The cameras show a mass of wheelchairs moving around the court as the warmup continues.
We switch to guest Sports Announcer Monica Campanella, captain of the women’s wheelchair championship team from Mexico. She is courtside sitting in an Acme Wheelchair.
The camera zooms in on her with the teams warming up behind her.
“Well Chip and Brendon, I can honestly say how these champions feel.
It was just one month ago my Mexican team took our trophy home. I am going to grab a comment from the two male captains.”
Just then, the two male captains manuever their wheelchairs courtside.
We see David Schmit of Luxembourg and Timmy Jenkins of the U.S.A crossing the court to meet guest Sports announcer Monica Campanella.
The men and their wheelchairs arrive.
Monica Campanella: “Timmy, some say you are the underdogs here, even though you also are undefeated.”
Just then Timmy stands up and shakes out his legs.
Sports announcer Monica Campanella: “Oh my God, you can walk, you are not a paraplegic. You can’t compete in this league. What is wrong with you!”
The video is being broadcast worldwide and on the jumbotron screens.
The entire arena is silent.
Timmy Jenkins: “Excuse me! How dare you! I am a paraplegic."
Sports announcer Monica Campanella: “No sir, a paraplegic does not have use of their legs.”
Timmy Jenkins: “Of course. When I play with my team, I identify as a paraplegic with no use of my legs. There is no difference between David and me. You are a bigot and an ableist."
Luxembourg team Captain David Schmit calls over the head of the International Wheelchair Basketball League, Gunther Rhymes.
David Schmit: “Mr. Rhymes, this is an apparent and absolute breaking of the rules. Please give them your official disqualification.”
Mr. Rhymes thought of the chain of events he would set in motion against himself and his family if he did the right thing at that moment and negated how someone identified.
Someone’s "identity" is today’s sacred cow.
He would never work in sports again. His family would be indigent and hounded for years. His children would be forced to leave their schools because the mob is relentless.
Mr. Rhyme’s spoke while the world listened: “I am not a medical doctor or biologist so I cannot make such a determination.
I will have to convene an emergency session of the board to review the evidence. This game will be played at another time.”
David Schmit: “Not a medical doctor? Review the evidence? He is standing!”
Mr. Rhyme’s was already heading to the exit.
The board voted 9 to 0 that a person identifying as a paraplegic has the same rights as an actual paraplegic within their rules.
Integrity, rules, standards and common sense are incinerated when the mob is waiting just outside your door.
Fear and self-preservation are powerful motivators.
The game was to be played one month later.
Luxembourg contested and did not show up.
U.S.A. won by default.
Timmy Jenkins' face was put on a Bud Light can and he became the international spokesperson for the Acme Wheelchair Company.
