Exploitation, inspiration, admiration. what makes that distinction?

There's been an ongoing dialogue, within the disabled community, about the "I word" and wether that's a compliment or downright  blatant exploitation.  Most of the question,  stems from the barrage of images depicting a disabled person doing something "extraordinary." In many cases these "extraordinary" moments, are fleeting everyday activities. Such images have, even, been dubbed "inspiration porn." I have a dog in this fight, and to be honest even I don't understand that.

The idea is that we are exploited to give able- bodied people something to be grateful for.  Somehow my existence fuels someone's hope, and appreciation for having a "good life" isn't an idea that I subscribe to. I took this idea to my sister. She's 5 years younger than me, and has lived through the good, bad and ugly with me. she's "able- bodied" but has a very clear, concise understanding of what it means to be disabled. I asked what things went through her head when she saw someone in a wheel chair pushing a shopping cart, or an amputee driving. She said "it's normal. Everyone needs to grocery shop." She was quick to point out that growing up, in our house, there was nothing abnormal about wheelchairs, walkers and physical "abnormalities." I then asked her if looking at me, and knowing my physical limitations ever made her feel better about her life. She said "No. If anything I just never understood how you did it." Did what? "Did things you knew you couldn't, and accept that things were hard for you, ignore that people stared at you." I know she's bias. But if that's what the world thinks when they see the amputee on top of a mountain, or the woman in the wheelchair snuggle her baby that's admiration, not inspiration. We're using the terms interchangeably, and they're not!

 I've been completely open and honest with regard to how I feel about the word "inspiration," but it bares repeating. I want to inspire. I relish opportunities, when I can do so. I'm in the unique position where my life, has given me wisdom, and tools necessary to navigate through some really dark times. I want to share those parts of myself. Where I draw the line is at being an "inspiration" for living a mundane everyday life. Being inspired by my trip to target is metaphorically patting me on the head saying "Good brave girl you ventured out into the world all by yourself."

However, we're a society that thinks in images. A picture is still worth a thousand words. And yes, there is something very "inspiring" about a photo of a person defying the physics of their own body. That's  reason the world loved Oscar Pistorius, and affectionately called him "the blade runner." To this day we can see a picture of Martin Luther King, and still admire the bravery and courage it took to be him. He inspired a world to change.

To be inspired by someone doesn't mean we had to pity them first.