Why so Ga-ga?

So Lady Gaga jumped in a wheelchair during one of her recent performances. According to news reports “disabled groups” throughout the world are outraged and highly offended by this apparent despicable act.

Honestly people what’s the big deal. If reviews of lady G’s are correct she had a jolly good reason to be sitting down, as she was introducing her fans to her latest alter-ego, the mermaid "Yugi".  Yes ladies and gentlemen Lady Gaga was dressed in mermaid costume complete with swishing tail. Now I’m no expert on mermaids but I would say it would be extremely difficult to walk about on dry land, tippy-tail.

Now before anyone accuses me of being Lady G’s number one fan, I watched her concert on the telly, a week or so back and found it a bit overhyped. Give me Madonna any day. However I will defend her artistic integrity to the hilt. After all a mermaid wheelchair user in dry dock does have a certain logic to it, especially in the bizarre world of Gaga.

Using wheelchairs as stage props is not unique to lady G as mixed dance groups have used this mode of expression on regular occasions. I have attended

several “Touch Compus” performances where wheelchairs and parts thereof have been superblywoven into the dance sequences. Spinning wheels, wheel stands and performers instantly transforming wheelchairs into mobile gyms by swinging on handlebars or –heaven forbid- sitting in a wheelchair, while swaying to the music, have left audiences spell bound. So lighten up people. Wheelchairs are not sacred objects; they are part of this world. In fact they are becoming increasingly part of the mainstream world where wheelchair users are making their mark in all facets of society. As long as performances are not poking fun at the actual disability what is the harm in using a prop which is readily available.

Ross Flood