Every time I read the “Toph is a bad example of a disabled character because of her bending.” I want to Physically leap over a table and then flip that table because NO!!!! You do not understand!!!
Toph’s bending is assistive technology!!! It’s a medical aid!!!!!
Toph’s bending allows her to full access her world the same way my mobility aids do, or my medication does. There are times when due to inaccessible surroundings that her aids are rendered harder or impossible to use. Not unlike my own greatest enemy, stairs. However, when she is fully accommodated she’s able to be just as successful and thrive just as much as an able-bodied person albeit differently. Which is the ultimate goal of assistive technology.
Toph’s parents also tried to limit her bending because they saw her as dependent upon them, which is a great example of how society denies disabled people access to assistive technology.
A lot of people have a weird (ableist) assumption that if you show a disabled person being in any way competent, like Edward Elric, Solid Snake, Bentley, Darth Vader or Hiccup, it somehow negates the fact they’re actually disabled
ifesbob 