/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

The best way to handle stuff like that, in my opinion, would be to probably just not use things like mobility aids (crutches, wheelchairs) as props, especially in a crowded environment like a convention. Best to just prevent confusion and leave them out of the costume.

Sounds like some shit only tumblr would care about.

>>10224751
>only tumblr would ever care about someone in a prop wheelchair clogging walking areas at a con

I follow that 10 million year old wives tale of "if you pretend to do it, you'll get it" rule. Can't take that chance of ending up in a wheelchair just for some IG likes and silly photo. That crazy old bitty talking in me.

It's fine as long as they don't abuse it (like getting ADA at AX or such) or stealing a wheelchair from someone else / that isn't yours (like that one Tavros cosplayer)

>>10224747
If you're able bodied and exploiting the accommodations made for disabled people who need them, that's shitty. Be it disabled parking spaces, mobility aids provided by the event or just the good will of people making room for wheelchair users in a crowd. If you're just doing a photoshoot in a wheelchair, I'm not a fan of it but ultimately I don't care that much. If you're making other people's con experience worse by cosplaying something, I'm judging you. Leave the "prop" mobility aids at home.

I've done it. I was very open that my wheelchair was a prop, I mostly only sat in it for pictures, because the moment someone tried to give me accomodation for it I felt awful for confusing them and cleared it up that i did not need it, but that I was grateful. I don't regret it, it made me understand how hard it was for people who have to rely on wheelchairs all the time, and the cosplay was fun.

And it turned out when I was done with it, a few years later a friend needed a chair so I just let them have it.

I think as long as you don't use it to get things you don't need, and are honest with others, it's no different than making an injury's prosthetic for a cosplay.

>>10224764
>Like that one Tavros cosplayer
Story?

I think it's okay as long as you don't use accommodations for disabled people. So, if you go eat, it might be best to leave the wheelchair outside or near the front. Just like with mascot costumes, it would be best to have a spotter.

>>10225106
This too. If people start being extra nice, it might be worth explaining it's a character costume, and you aren't actually disabled.

>>10225236
(Although, it might be a cute idea to carry candy or party favors, explain you aren't, but give them the small item while thanking them for considering the needs of others.)

I used a wheelchair once for cosplay and it made me feel extremely shitty. I'll never do it again.

>>10224747
About as bad as blackface, only because there isn't a history of hate behind it.

>>10224747
If it’s for a shoot I think it’s fine. But when you’re attending a con it’s not ideal because what >>10224750 mentioned in terms of space.


>>10225593
This is some tumblr sjw tier shit

Photoshoots, do whatever, but please don't crowd a convention with a wheelchair you don't need.

>>10225610
>This is some tumblr sjw tier shit
It's called being a good person. Do better.

>>10225593
Come on, I'm a raging SJW and even I don't think it's that bad

>>10225651
The fact that you would compare blackface to someone using a fucking wheelchair as a prop is seriously backwards sjw bullshit
>DdddooOoo BbbbeeEEtttTTttEeeRR

>>10225699
It's not about people's feelings, it's about being a dick for taking up the cons resources with a wheelchair you don't need and using special access when you don't need it

>>10225787
As I said here >>10225105 if you use con resources or abuse people's good will it's bad, if it's just for photos it's fine even though I wouldn't do it. I think blackface is way worse.

>>10225201
Pushed someone out of a wheelchair and sped around on it for photos not giving it back

>>10225699
>hello fellow sjw how do you do, you know what I hate? it's those bad sjw that care about people, I just can't stand them.

>>10224747

>>10226126
>sjw
>care about people
Nice joke.

>>10226129
ok sargoon

>>10226126
Believe what you want, I just think putting every minor little distaste on the same level as truly damaging behavior hurts those causes in the long run.

>>10225651
Stop speaking for disabled people.

Majority of us don't give a shit and realize it's a costume. Just don't use our accommodations.

Who the fuck would actually use a wheelchair in an already crowded enough convention when you can walk just fine?!

>>10226473
Mfw I actually use the handicap stalls in the bathroom because I have bad knees and need the railing to help sit/get off the toilet but other than that I’m completely able bodied

>>10226494
Does nobody realize you can fold those things down? It doesn't take that much space if you're not sitting in it. Take it to the photoshoot, fold it up when done, go back to room, put it away. No big deal.

>>10226513
If you have a permanent health condition that impairs you in everyday life, that's a disability. You don't have to have a sticker on your car from the government to use accommodations made for people in your situation.

>>10224763
So that's like a old wive's tale thing that other people actually say? Not just some bullshit that my Mom came up with herself? Wow, I learned something today.

>>10226513
Nobody's talking about the handcapped stall, they mean using a wheelchair to cut lines or use special entrances

>>10226611
Or honestly, using a wheelchair at all during cons if you don't need it. That shit just takes up space, which is fine if that's you need to access the con, but if your legs work, use them instead.

>>10226473
>Stop speaking for disabled people.
>Majority of us don't give a shit
"I assume you're not disabled so you don't speak for us, I do!"

>>10224747
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D7e4Fmutzms

I’m not disabled so correct me if I’m wrong but.

I feel like there’s a big difference between someone using a wheelchair when they don’t need it, taking up hall space, faking a disability for perks, ect.

And like. Someone cosplaying Ed Elric with a fake metal arm.

Just me? I just think it’s situational.

>>10226967
Yes, it's very different. Nobody expects only amputees to cosplay as Ed or Furiosa. You're not blocking circulation, hogging resources or abusing good will, just wearing a costume.

>>10226967
There's not even anything wrong with using your own, self-owned wheelchair, if you don't abuse the system. A prop is a prop is a prop, and you could fake and get away with lots of things with various props. Stick to the rule 'don't be a dick' and you'll be fine no matter what you cosplay with.

>>10224747
how do you feel about crippled people cosplaying as able bodied characters?

>>10224764
Man I remember the big debate over Tavros cosplayers and to some degree Terezi cosplayers.

I wouldn't use anything like a wheelchair during the con though. For a photoshoot? Sure if you can borrow/find one. But during the con people are just going to assume you're using it because you need it.

>>10226513
Then you're handicapped and you're using the proper stall. I dont think there's anything wrong with that..

Not a problem as long as you're not pretending to be actually disabled. Personally I'd feel uncomfortable doing it (I feel like I should let disabled people have the character, as an able-bodied person), but I don't think it's a sin as long as you're generally being respectful.

>>10225593
Blackface is making a mockery of black people for white people's entertainment. Cosplaying a dark-skinned character as a light-skinned person is just like any other cosplay. It isn't trying to make their blackness a joke. If you're going to argue against it, say that the few black characters should be left to black cosplayers, that body paint looks bad, that light skin is inaccurate. The comparison to blackface is based on nothing but a superficial similarity that barely holds up (no one exaggerates the racial features of black characters they cosplay). They have nothing to do with each other.

>>10224747
Its unsensitive

A bif oof from me

As a former staffer, I both don't care and yet it bugs the shit out of me when it involves wheelchairs.

Back when Homestuck was massive we had Tavros cosplayers literally take all the free hotel wheelchairs and since we give people with mobility issues priority seating for events, a few people who didn't actually need wheelchairs got put in the reserved mobility area up front because you're not allowed to ask "Do you actually need this wheelchair or is it a prop?"

It's the same situation with service animals/therapy animals. A few years ago if you saw a dog in a convention it was because they were a legitimate service animal there to assist. Now people can buy vests online and put them on their pets and just bring them to the con because there's no paperwork proof required that your "service animal" is actually trained as such. It's why places have signs now saying "Service dogs only, no therapy dogs."

tl;dr there's nothing inherently wrong with cosplaying a character that's disabled (like Tavros from Homestuck or Xavier from X-Men) if you're not disabled, but it can cause issues for convention staff.

>>10234445
>because there's no paperwork proof required that your "service animal" is actually trained as such
In my country the dogs have ID's on them and a special leash. IDK anyone who does "therapy" dogs.

Just don't be this pair, and you'll be fine.

>>10234468
lmao what

>>10234465
wheelchair bound person does it in my town. sometimes they have the dog, other times it’s away somewhere else in the store with their friend/partner/carer/whatever. Jumps up on stuff and pulls at the leash. Definitely not an actual service/therapy dog.

>>10234472
sounds like a mentally disabled person then. Best to leave them to their own devices, theyre already living a shit life

>>10234465
Here you're not allowed to ask if someone NEEDS whatever device they're using just the same as you can't ask for proof that a service animal is actually a service animal.

I actually mispoke when I called them therapy animals. They're more commonly known as "emotional support animals" and, to my knowledge, don't provide any sort of necessary skills or lifesaving abilities to their owners. They're just there to make you feel better and give you a purpose. Some people legitimately need emotional support dogs (like soldiers with PTSD) but around here at conventions it's just an excuse to bring your dog with you.

It's very easy as well to buy harnesses and patches online. Anyone can buy a "service dog, please don't touch" patch for their dog and use it. I've heard tales of someone wanting to bring their "emotional support snake" to the convention. Like an actual snake.

And we've had news articles about other absurd emotional support animals trying to board planes. Like someone with a peacock.

>>10224747

Just be normal.

>>10234445
>take all the free hotel wheelchairs

Wtf, seriously? Whatever about buying and bringing your own wheelchair for a photoshoot or something, but actually taking something that people need is shitty af.

I don't, who actually honestly gives a fuck at all?

Why get triggered because someone likes something