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Why Me Before You Is Abelist

Perhaps the most popular movie on this list, Me Before You tells the story of a man named Will (Sam Claflin) who becomes paralyzed and gradually falls into a depression. Instead of getting him a professional to unpack his mental health issues, Will's parents hire Louisa (Emilia Clarke), a young caregiver with no qualifications to cheer him up. This perpetuates the incorrect idea that disabled people are depressed solely because of their disability, and if given a romantic interest, they could be cured of their mental issues. As the movie nears its end, it seems that Will wants to end his life because he believes Louisa would be better off without him. Disabled people are not burdens on their caretakers, family members, friends, or romantic partners.

As both a physically disabled and mentally ill woman, I have experienced biases from mental health professionals (telling me that they'd be depressed if they were in my "position" too). When my able-bodied peers struggle with depression, they get treatment. When physically disabled people experience mental illness, they should also be able to access treatment. Suicide prevention cannot be reserved solely for people that are able-bodied.

Image Source: Everett Collection