Let's Play . . but Make the Set Accessible

I know my MS may result in cognitive difficulties as well as physical limitations, so I enjoy turning my efforts into mental fitness. When I asked my doctor the best way to delay the onset of cognitive disability, he told me to do something like crossword puzzles to exercise my mind. My preferred exercise program consists of television game shows.

All my friends know I like game shows. There's no shortage of choices, especially on the Game Show Network where the viewers can choose to actually participate. It's not just viewing pleasure, but playing along and competing with other viewers. Everybody gets a chance to play online while the program airs.

I do not participate online. I watch or listen, and I play from my bed where my answers don't count to anyone but me. My favorites are the trivia games and, because I am a writer, word games. They keep my mind active and provide me with delightful conversational tidbits. I'm sure my friends concur.

An interesting element in the game show is the set. It is interesting to see how sets have changed over the years and it's easy to do so because The Game Show Network has many shows from the past. I watch as winning players excitedly jump up and down, causing the fragile set to shake -- it doesn't look very sturdy. In addition to flimsiness, there are often platforms, steps, and other obstacles to people with mobility issues. I'm wondering, are wheelers not eligible?

Actually, I know that's not true. I remember a family day on Wheel of Fortune when a wheeler had her son to spin the wheel for her. Problem solved. We could see the mother's head peaking above the contestant dais. We should expect wheelers to be welcome at Wheel of Fortune. Then there was the Beauty Queen Day on The Weakest Link. It included Miss Wheelchair among the gowned belles. She had to lean forward so we could see her past the podium.

Of course, a wheelchair is not the only indicator that a person is living with a disability. There are others of all kinds and many are hidden. I don't expect each contestant to announce their disability; so we often don't know.

Eddie Timunas on Jeopardy showed us he could become a five-time champion with only a minor accommodation for his blindness. Alex Trebec, a favorite host of mine makes sure his show is inclusive.

Other accommodations are sometimes made. I remember an old I've Got A Secret starring Stephanie Miller. Teri Garr, who has MS, remained seated when the other panel members moved around more. Then there was Bill Cullen, one of my favorite hosts. He limped as a result of polio so he often started the program already in place rather than running out at the beginning.

There are so many game show contestants every day, and so few examples of contestants with disabilities. Granted, many of these shows predate the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), but new games and new versions of the old ones are being remade. The ADA did not specifically address accessibility issues on game shows, but I would still like to see the new crop of sets made more accessible.

The disability community likes to play, too, and I'm ready. I have to go now, Lingo is about to start.