My Left Foot is a biographical drama film directed by Jim Sheridan in 1989. The film is based on the challenges faced by disabled persons in society that perceives them as defective and unhealthy. The protagonist in the film, Christy Brown, is born with cerebral palsy. Brown is born into a destitute family living in Irish slums. Disabled individuals are looked down upon by society. However, Brown pushes past his physical ability to become an artist. Conventional perceptions about people with physical disabilities demoralize the majority of them and render others hopeless.
Christy Brown endures several social stigmas and at some point he idealizes suicide. Although the film is inspired by Christy Brown’s book, My Left Foot, it explores general tribulations imperiled to people with disabilities. Christy’s father loses hope in him until the age of seven when he realizes his son can write using his left foot. Both friends and family members give up on people they consider as disabled. Immobilization of several parts of the body should not kill the dreams of determined and focused people.
Disability is not inability and Christy attests this to the world. Following the retrenchment of his father, Christy plays a major role in helping his family members put food on the table. Disability comes with many challenges such as being rejected for love. Christy is rejected by a woman he fancies, a thing that makes him suicidal. Eventually, he is accepted by a nurse whom he marries as his wife. The film is an inspiration to disabled people who believe they are incapable of achieving their dreams.
