If I was a new political party, the one thing I would promise never to do is jump on a bandwagon, no matter how tempting it felt.
Bandwagons come in many shapes and forms but Irish sporting success is just too big a wagon not to jump on.
Everybody loves a winner.
This week we had 86 of them as Ireland’s Special Olympic team seemed to decimate all before them at this year’s World Games. I’m going to be honest here and say the games don’t really rock my boat. Back in 2003, I actively explored options on how I could find myself out of the country during the love-fest.
To be fair, the Irish influence has seemed to strengthen the competitive element slightly but I still wouldn’t drop everything to watch. I could ‘go off on one’ and muse on whether the image of a special athlete does good or bad on how we view disability in general but you just need to read between the lines to get my drift, don’t ya?
Jumping on bandwagons. Step forward Lucinda.
She cropped up on Lunchtime yesterday to talk state procurement. You don’t need to know but hey not one mention of EU rules. Good job Lucinda.
Anyway we are here to talk bandwagons.
Yes, we all know Lucinda is pro-life. That is her right but have a listen to this.
A cheap shot
Grand scale bandwagon-jumping.
Where do we start?
While I know Lucinda has every right to be pro-life, linking the success of the Team Ireland with a pro-life message is disingenuous.
A cheap shot which reduces any chance of a reasoned debate on the right to choose to almost zero.
For the record, I am pro-choice. I hear the pro-life movement in all its guises say that as a disabled person, I should be very wary of choice. It is a tricky one.
I have faith in humanity. I know parents will love their children no matter what.
I also know some people will never be able to look past a disability and actively choose to abort. I don’t like this attitude but role models such as Special Olympics athletes and other admirable disabled people act as evidence that disabled people live fulfilling lives.
We can be role models.
Well, maybe not me. I drink, I swear, and I have a thing for expensive shoes.
