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Drake’s Degrassi Role Was Pivotal for Kids in Wheelchairs
Drake may have hated his Degrassi character but his portrayal of Jimmy Brooks in a wheelchair helped boost the confidence of lots of kids in wheelchairs.
Executive director of Wheelchair 4 Kids, Madeline Robinson says kids in wheelchairs are often left out of things like getting invited to birthday parties or movies, but Drake’s character made them feel cool and brought much-needed representation on TV.
“When was the last time you went to a mall and saw a kid in a wheelchair hanging out with other kids?” Robinson asked, before adding. “It is great when we see our kids being represented.”
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A writer of the Canadian teen drama show recently claimed Drake threatened to quit and took legal action against the show to get a rewrite because he was worried a wheelchair made his character look soft.
Robinson says Drake might not have known it, but he made the lives of lots of kids better.