Skip to main content
Justin Gallegos Becomes First Athlete with Cerebral Palsy to Sign with Nike
Justin Gallegos, a runner at the University of Oregon, became the first Nike professional athlete with cerebral palsy. Gallegos has documented the challenges of becoming a runner while having cerebral palsy since it affects muscle movement on his Instagram. He posted the moment he was told of the signing on his Instagram with a video filmed by the company Elevation 0m. The video’s release coincided with World Cerebral Palsy Day. Gallegos’ signing with Nike represents one of the few positive media portrayals of someone with a disability. People with disabilities are usually symbolically annihilated from the media or are shown as being solely defined by their disability. Nike’s decision to sign Gallegos and promote his achievements is one way to positively represent someone who falls outside the dominant group.
This is an amazing example of the media and people in positions of power using their platform to include a misrepresented and symbolically annihilated group. Because it is rare for disabled people to be put on the spotlight, it is important for big media and companies to be inclusive of this group so that they can be more accepted in every aspect of society.
ReplyDeleteThis story reminds me of the self efficacy we discussed in class. People with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy probably don't think they can become Nike sponsors or professional athletes. Seeing an example in prominent media of someone like them who has achieved great things will hopefully inspire so many others to continue to chase dreams that they have never seen anyone like them achieve.
ReplyDelete