Wheelchair-Bound Model Featured in Department Store Ad Campaign
EmailABC's Marlei Martinez reports from London: Curvaceous is now ‘in.’ Take V Magazine’s recent “Size Issue” for example. In their revolutionary “Curves Ahead” spread, the magazine displayed full-bodied women adorning glamorous jewellery, shoes and swimwear. For the first time, thicker and softer was being accepted in the fashion world, well at least, in the form of marketing. But today London department store Debenhams became the first UK retailer to use a disabled model in a photo campaign to advertise a range by British designer Ben de Lisi. Shannon Murray, 32, and her wheelchair can be seen in several shop windows alongside Kate Fullman, a size 14 model, Tess Montgomery, a petite model and Tokumbo Daniel, a size 8 model. Murray has been confined to her wheelchair since she broke her neck as a teenager. But with this new campaign, she won’t be confined from the public eye much longer. “We cater for women of all shapes and sizes, young and old, non-disabled and disabled so we wanted our windows to reflect this choice,” Michael Sharp, Debenhams’ Deputy Chief Executive said.
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Well the story is a good one but too bad the writer and caption editors are still living in the 1960′s. “Wheel-chair bound” “confined to a wheelchair” – gee, you just forgot to use “crippled”. The proper term is “wheelchair user” which is just as factual but devoid of the paternalism or inability conveyed by your very unacceptable terms like “confined” or “bound” which really do not help the message the department store is promoting. They get it but you still do not!
Posted by: ilene | February 26, 2010, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm
That’s the first thing that caught my eye too. Person who uses a wheelchair is most appropriate. Put the person first not the chair.
The bad writing takes away from a great story.
Posted by: Pat | February 26, 2010, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
Shannon is hot! :)
Posted by: AntiFanatic | February 26, 2010, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
“Full-bodied” women – that’s a funny phrase, especially these women.
They are not “full” anywhere.
They don’t look like they have extra fat anywhere. These ladies look healthy.
It would be more accurate if you say:
“Non-anorexic” looking women.
Also, I agree that “wheelchair bound” is pretty out-dated and insulting and inaccurate. I’m sure a lot of people who use wheelchairs for mobility also can sit in cars, buses, trains, planes,
and other types of chairs at various places in this entire world.
People use things like wheelchairs to enhance their lives – not to bound or inhibit them.
The fashion world and, apparently, some of the media are behind the times.
These beautiful ladies are doing the fashion world a favor. It’s not the other way round.
Posted by: ddg | February 26, 2010, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
Another vote against the poor word choice in this article.
Posted by: Josh | February 26, 2010, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm
Good Job Brits!!!
Posted by: Jordan | February 26, 2010, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm
I am partially handicapped and when I use my placard to park everyone doughts that I am disabled. I think it is because I am very fashion forward and am dressed very well when I go out. i think they believe I cant need a cane because of my appearance. I refuse to look dishelved because I am disabled.
Posted by: Coloradomountain diva | February 26, 2010, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm
Whatever the wording should have been, she looks fantastic and good for her!! I’m glad she’s showing that despite her handicap (and it is a handicap whether you like that word or not) she’s AWESOME! Most of us who are totally ‘normal’ don’t look half as good as she does. What a phenomenal role model for teenagers and everyone else in a similar situation!
Posted by: xtch3 | February 26, 2010, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm
Well it’s about time real people are shown in ads!
Posted by: MLB | February 27, 2010, 12:30 am 12:30 am
I too am “disabled” and refuse to look like a refugee from a starving third world nation. This beautiful lady is “standing up” for all of us who have to sit down most of our lives. I say good for the Brits who have finally recognized that every woman,no matter what her size or physical condition can and is beautiful! It is way past time that people started to look past the cane, the wheelchair, the braces, etc. and just LOOK at the person!The U.S.is supposed to be so fashion forward but we place so much emphasis on tall,young and super skinny, it is ridiculous, Europe has always been so much more realistic,sensible,and aware that real women have curves in all the right places and that we are also supposed to look different from each other not clones of sticks! I think this new fashion campaign is great and long past due.
Posted by: Caroline Demers | February 27, 2010, 11:26 am 11:26 am
Wheelchair bound sounds like bondage. Wheelchair user is much cooler. Also another FYI, Handicapped has the word origin of begging on the streets with Cap in Hand. Accessible Parking is the preferred term. Handicapped parking would be long term parking at the airport at a lot 3 miles from the terminal. that is handicapped.
Posted by: ScarletFever | March 24, 2010, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm