Reflection of Without Pity
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Wolran Kim
Mar. 2012


The video, Without Pity, demonstrated those with disabilities living with various obstacles and successes in their daily lives. There are 40 million people—one fifth of the total population—that have disabilities in the United States. They experience despair, frustration, and isolation from society, but many disabled people live successfully, overcoming obstacles and reaping benefits from them.

Samantha is a physically disabled person, but she gets married and even has a baby amidst negative views and discouragement from all her surrounding people and conditions. Her delivery was much more difficult than normal, and moreover, after having the baby, she went through further trials and errors like when she would try to hold her baby with her weak arms. Her husband had more responsibilities in raising their baby on top of taking care of his wife’s basic needs. However, their love as a married couple and as parents never seems shaken.

Charlie’s mom was waiting for the perfect baby like any other pregnant woman, but she had a baby who was deformed with no arms and abnormally short legs. Charlie rolls his body to move like a ball and still goes to school too. The other children laughed at him sometimes, but they also helped him and played with him too as friends at school. The scene where Charlie bounces his body on a trampoline was sad and also wonderful. His grandfather said, “He is just like any other boy, even cuter.” His grandfather plugged wildflowers in between Charlie’s deformed toes while he sat on his special wheelchair.

Frank lives in Denver and is a 74-year-old man with brain damage. He wishes that he could walk. He became incompetent and separated from his family when he was 13 years old in 1935. He has had no education and is completely isolated from society. He still lives alone and is afraid that he may be sent to the institution again by the social worker.

Many normal people live with various disabilities caused by terrible accidents for the rest of their lives. Joshua’s lower half of his body was paralyzed by an accident, and he has a hard time whenever he remembers his normal life in the past. He is often desperate and even considers suicide. His sister, who is a single mother, takes care of him, because he cannot even go to the bathroom alone. He is sick often due to infections in his excretion bag, and he gets angry about his hard life.

We are impressed by many stories about those with disabilities who overcome their obstacles which normal people could never imagine to deal with and live successful lives. Samantha’s daughter is growing well and she continues to study at college. Charlie never loses his innocent air even without any arms and having abnormal legs. He is learning to skateboard these days. Frank received a new wheelchair, but his is the same life as before. Joshua finally overcame his depression and he is living independently after having finished college.

Social discrimination and prejudice about disabilities are barriers to those with disabilities and they must be overcome. They are considered as the object of pity, as the invisible members of society; however, they do not just blame their fate. They pioneer their lives getting over their daily frustrations, which is ten, or a hundred times harder than it normally is. Families with disabilities are precious people who lift up their family members who have disabilities with the same pain. No one can imagine their families’ sufferings without experience.

Disabilities’ families are living with disabilities as well. I think that disabled people are stronger people who are overcoming more difficult things than ordinary people do. God gives trials only to people who have the abilities to rise above the hardships. They live more precious lives even though they are granted with more difficult lives.