‘Inspiration Porn’: Paralympians Know It When They See It

Athletes reject the idea that they should be admired just for coping with disabilities, and not also for what they’ve accomplished.

TOKYO — Darlene Hunter, a three-time Paralympian and a college professor, begins her classes on disability issues exploring what may be the most provocative phrase ever associated with an international sports event: “inspiration porn.” Hunter knows that when she introduces the term, she can count on her students at the University of Texas at Arlington to perk up, sometimes in shock. “Luckily, I have an administration that really supports all this,” said Hunter, an assistant professor of practice in social work. The American wheelchair basketball team she is a member of defeated Germany to win the bronze medal Saturday at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, which will end on Sunday.