Disney’s “Finding Dory” subtly promotes understanding and acceptance of individuals with special needs, like Dory’s short-term memory loss, and provides a great opportunity for conversations with children about empathy.
Have you caught Disney’s Finding Dory? It’s not just a cute movie; it’s packed with a message. It quietly nudges us to be more accepting of those with special needs. We’ll unpack those ideas further.
Let’s see what’s going on, shall we?
Finding Dory’s Message
Finding Dory, released in 2016 as a sequel to Finding Nemo, has a deceptively simple story, but it subtly drives home a really important point: understanding and accepting people with special needs in our communities. Some critics even said that the film “doesn’t shy away from thought, but instead comes to paint an expansive picture of those with special needs”.
Dory’s Character
Dory, the forgetful little blue tang fish we all adore, struggles with short-term memory loss. But, her story reveals itself as we watch her try to find her family. Dory faces her challenges throughout the movie, and this is where the story gets interesting. Who can forget her introduction? “Hi, I’m Dory, and I suffer from short-term memory loss!”. She triggers her journey in the film with this revealing line as she sets out to find her parents while dealing with her memory issues; it makes her often forget a lot of things and people she meets, showcasing one of the prominent themes of the film.
What’s the Media Saying?
Alyssa Rosenberg of The Washington Post noted, “Dory in the film acts as a character whose disabilities are sometimes a problem, and whose particular mind, which makes her forget things and details makes her able to intuit things that others can’t see, and to find the right solutions by doing things her way!”. Adding to this, she said that Dory’s condition “doesn’t consign Dory to being less capable, but instead that others around her shouldn’t be expected to accommodate her or condescend to what she says and does because of her condition”. That said, Dory is not truly defined by her disability but rather it is presented to be a different method to approach matters than others.
This is the first Disney film that attempts, with great care, to convey a message; that society can embrace differences and disabilities (disabilities: are they, in fact, disabilities?) and that these are assets, such as the film character Dumbo, who was born with big ears which made him a circus object.
But as he accepted it, it became one of his superpowers, or Nemo from the first film that Dory came to play a role in his sequel. In the first film, we are introduced to Nemo, a clownfish who was born with one fin smaller than the other; he gets made fun of a lot.
Also, Dory herself is unique amongst other Disney movies that tend to add characters, and each of them is recognized and validated with their differences. Take Hank, the octopus who’s missing a tentacle or Destiny, the whale shark, who struggles with her eyesight, among others. Eileen DiGeneres, who voices Dory, added: “I love that this movie is sending a message, and that is, that your weaknesses can actually be your strengths!”.
Children Are Innocent!
After watching the film, you might find yourself in a direct conversation with your children about those with special needs. Kids are generally known to be curious about the world around them. So, parents need to deal with the differences carefully, because we don’t want them to say things like, “Why doesn’t Amelie smile at school like that?” or “Why can’t Amelie move her hand?”, or “Why doesn’t Amelie listen?”, or “Why doesn’t she play with us?”. Here, you should pause and really think about the answer, and how to deliver it to your child so that it encourages them to be more empathetic with those who have special needs.
That said, let’s look at some tips for parents when raising children who interact with people with special needs:
- Don’t ignore signs of curiosity or confusion when interacting with your child: for example, if you find that your child is staring at someone sitting in a wheelchair, don’t ignore his or her gaze; instead, talk with them, and explain to them what that person is doing in a way that they can easily grasp. Remind your child that the person sitting in the chair is a person just like them, and there’s no need to evade them or be afraid of them.
- Teach your kids that people with disabilities also like jokes and smiles; don’t keep them away from interacting with them quickly when you see someone with special needs, but instead encourage him or her to accept them and deal with them naturally, making them feel that they are welcome in the community.
- Emphasize that those with special needs are just like us and don’t differ from us in many ways. If your child knows someone at school with special needs, ask them about the shared hobbies, such as reading or watching TV, sports they like, or whatever.
- Because kids tend to emulate older role models and behaviors, be a good role model for them. Be keen on interacting with special needs people in a respectful manner, as you are with others, avoid using words that may make them feel like you are looking down on them.
- Don’t be shy about asking your child questions (this will allow you to gauge how much they understand about those with special needs). If you’re unsure about their answer, do a little research with them. This will not only help your child to learn more about those with special needs but also make them feel more comfortable interacting with them.
- Kids with special needs may be vulnerable to the jokes of others; if your child is mocked by others because of their disabilities, talk to them so they can understand that kind of behavior and offer appropriate alternatives to correcting their behaviors.
Next time you see your kid gravitating toward their favorite cartoon character, see if it holds the same values as Dory. And next time you encounter someone with special needs, be a role model for your child; be like the sea sponge, always kind, and you’ll inspire your children!
As a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, seeing the themes of acceptance and understanding in Finding Dory was incredibly moving. It’s so important for kids to learn about different abilities and see that everyone has unique strengths.
I work with individuals with intellectual disabilities, and this film resonated with me on a professional level. The way Dory’s memory challenges were portrayed, and how her friends adapted to support her, was both heartwarming and realistic. It’s a great conversation starter.
Myth & Facts
Myth: People with disabilities are always sad or need pity.
Fact: Like anyone, people with disabilities experience a range of emotions. Focusing on their abilities and strengths rather than pitying them promotes inclusion.
Question: What’s the best way to interact with someone who has a visible disability?
Answer: Treat them with the same respect and courtesy you would anyone else. Don’t be afraid to offer assistance if needed, but always ask first.
So, after watching Finding Dory (again, because why not?), consider how you can apply the movie’s message in your own life.
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