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Ruth Madeley\u2019s casting in Doctor Who<\/a> is already a game-changing piece of disability representation.<\/p>\n The BAFTA nominee, who was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, will appear as a character named Shirley Anne Bingham and was featured in the trailer<\/a> for the 60th anniversary of the BBC sci-fi series.<\/p>\n Madeley\u2019s performances throughout her career reveal a simple truth: being disabled is not a shorthand for pitiable. Whether a disabled mother fighting to keep her newborn child or a pioneering disability rights campaigner, her characters all have one tie that connects them \u2013 they are ordinary, 3D, disabled women.<\/p>\n They\u2019re the sort of women seldom seen on screen who remain ever-present in our communities, our vibrant histories and our culture.<\/p>\n We are the generation with the vision to want progress, who knew things could be better but didn\u2019t see it in the media growing up. Now we are witnessing disabled people in the media whose voices are ringing loud and clear for change \u2013 who keep pushing on.<\/p>\n We didn\u2019t see disability representation as children or teenagers, but the next generation will.<\/p>\n Merry Christmas, gang!#DoctorWho<\/a> \u2665\ufe0f\u2665\ufe0f\u2795\ufe0f\ud83d\udd37\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/Y7ByAi1GDL<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Ruth Madeley (@ruth_madeley) December 25, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>