Avatar Didn't Focus on Disability

I have not seen Avatar yet and I will for two reasons.  Is it a good story and do the characters seem believable?  I think that from what I have heard from some of my friends the answer may be yes.

In an article from ABC/Health I took these quotes.
 
Steve Coleman, of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, thought "Avatar"succeeded in showing the mental and emotional strength of disabled veterans.

"It showed you perspective that, although his legs weren't working, his heart and mind were working," said Coleman.

"I do think that it's an advance in seeing people in wheelchairs in the entertainment industry," said Phil Klebine who is a counselor and a tetraplegic, "I just wish people who have a disability get a chance to play those roles."

Although the movie had an uplifting spirit which is great.  They did not achieve a good look at an actor with a disability playing role of a character with a disability. 

I can't begin to know what it takes to make a movie.  But when actors talk on TV about playing a character they speak of drawing from some kind of personal experience.  My question then is wouldn't it be a better character if the actor had some real life experiences to draw from in playing their character?

Let me know what you think.

Powered by ScribeFire.