In this episode of PT Confessionals, Wes and Corinne turn on the TV—and break it down. From childhood cartoons to hospital dramas, they explore how disability is portrayed on-screen, what Hollywood still gets wrong, and why representation matters more than ever.

Wes reflects on growing up watching shows where no one looked—or moved—like him, and how that shaped his view of himself and the world. Corinne weighs in on how fictional therapists and inspirational “miracle recoveries” have distorted the public’s understanding of what therapy and disability actually look like.

They discuss common tropes like the “tragic hero,” the “inspiration story,” and the character who “overcomes the odds” in two episodes flat—and why these narratives, while well-intentioned, can actually be harmful. The episode also celebrates shows and moments that got it right, and the slow but real progress being made toward authentic, nuanced representation.

Whether you’re a binge-watcher, a casual fan, or someone who’s ever rolled their eyes at a “miracle cure” plotline, this one’s for you. Because TV may be fiction—but its impact is very real.