Viewer letters sent to The Wizard & David Rappaport clearly show that this series made important strides towards disability/different-ability awareness & putting a stop to bigotry & discrimination. For so many viewers, it was a refreshing & empowering change to finally see themselves portrayed as real people through characters who neither exhibited, nor were treated in, the stereotypical manner to which the non-disabled community remains so securely accustomed to. The Wizard's dedication to keeping it as real as they could was refreshing & empowering to non-disabled viewers, as well.
Obviously, one of the effects of removing The Wizard from the airwaves was the undoing of so much of the series' strides towards diversity, awareness, & the realization that disability does not equal lesser-than, and caring & pity are 2 entirely different things.
The continuation of discrimination through ignorance, & the unfortunate delusion that it is OK, has most recently been demonstrated by US President Barack Obama who, during an appearance with talk show host Jay Leno (March 19, 2009), attempted to make a joke by equating his skills at American bowling to the Special Olympics to prove how badly he bowled. The White House quickly released a follow-up statement swearing this wasn't meant to make fun of or discriminate against the Special Olympics or their atheletes, & that the President has nothing against the Special Olympics.
Everyone with The Wizard is deeply disturbed by both of these statements, which we would not consider intelligent, funny or cool no matter who expressed them.
Fact is, the only thing either of these remarks prove is that discrimination is very much alive, well, & accepted in America, especially towards the disabled/differently-able community. That the chasm between the disabled & non-disabled community has not narrowed in the past 23 years. It is long past time for a change.
We sincerely hope that if President Obama really truly wishes to see an end to bigotry & discrimination during his presidency, he will start with himself - as should we all. Discrimination against, & making fun of, anyone who is different in any way is not only beyond ignorant, but also still bigotry. This, believe it or not, includes those who are disabled/differently-able.
"You don't judge a person by their height. It's the size of their heart that really matters. And, you know we've all got something in common. We're all different." - Simon MKay to Brian in "El Dorado"
