capri0mni | (Reply)

From:

Yeah... I'm not really comfortable with the wording of 1, either (it's that whole simplicity-for-impact problem, that leads to over simplification).

But what I mean by "actual" is "something that cannot be cured with a change in attitude" -- You may not be familiar with my "negative" examples (what would not count under #1), but:

Both Dicken, the poor little rich boy in A Secret Garden, and Clara in Heidi, are children who are wheelchair users, who, once the able-bodied characters are able to convince them that they don't really need the wheelchairs after all, discover that they can get up and walk just fine, if they decide they really want to...
This is what I would call a "not-actually disabled" disability.

And as for the consequences clause, I was thinking of the character in that new TV show "Person of Interest" (Which I don't watch but I've seen ads for), who is shown walking with a limp, but seems to be able to walk really long distances without getting tired, and the limp doesn't seem to have any impact on his character or how he chooses to act, besides making him visually interesting, and distinct from the designated "main hero." (And yes, getting stared at would be a real consequence) I still can't figure out Horatio Cain's sunglasses, though, except we're told he needs them because of his disability, but seems just as comfortable with them off as on, regardless of the circumstances of his environment-- mostly, they seem to be there as a cool prop, so he can punctuate his witticisms.