Out of My Mind

Melody’s cerebral palsy paralyzes most of her body, leading people to presume that her mind is similarly disabled. She is treated with disregard by most people in society, most of whom won’t bother to address her directly or ask her name when they meet her. Melody’s physical appearance and inability to speak means she is isolated from social life on the playground, never asked to join in games. Even when Melody acquires the Medi-Talker device that allows her to communicate, she finds herself left out of after-school phone calls and genuine friendship.

Because of Melody’s physical appearance, most people underestimate her abilities and assume she is mentally challenged. The majority of able-bodied people Melody encounters in her life are unfamiliar with cerebral palsy, and as a result they underestimate her intelligence. Even when Melody proves her knowledge and earns a place on the quiz team, ableist discrimination guarantees that Claire and Molly don't believe her competence and accuse her of having cheated. Similarly, Mr. Dimming’s preference for able-bodied students is made apparent when he discourages Melody from trying to join the team. Ableism also pervades the physical landscape, exemplified by the lack of a wheelchair ramp at Linguini’s restaurant.