STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAU-WAOW) — Disability groups across the country are taking issue with a new film adaptation, including on in central Wisconsin.
The adaptation of “Me Before You,” originally a novel by Jojo Moyes written in 2012, focuses on the relationship between a quadriplegic man and his caretaker, along with assisted suicide. The advocacy group ADAPT Central Wisconsin protested the film over the course of the day Saturday outside of Rogers Cinema 7 in Stevens Point.
Around 30 people were part of the protest. WAOW Newsline 9 had cameras on site and spoke with Marilee Adamski-Smith and she shared why the group is taking issue with the film.
She said, “People that do become disabled would be feeling this way, after seeing this movie, like, ‘Oh, well then I might be a burden too.’” Adamski-Smith was born with tetra-amelia — a condition where a person is born without any arms or legs.
“Movies like this give the wrong message saying that their lives are worthless,” said Adamski-Smith. “That they are a burden to society and they should kill themselves.”
According to ADAPT, about 12,000 people develop spinal cord injuries every year in the U.S. alone.
Reporting by Daniel Keith, WAOW Newsline 9.
