‘Survivor 48’s Eva Erickson Autism Story Is Groundbreaking for Reality TV Competition Shows

Visibility is every little thing in media. Having that particular person you’ll be able to look towards that you could relate to or see your self in can actually be life-changing. Within the premiere of Survivor 48, just a few contestants took moments to debate how seeing gamers like Yul Kwon impressed Kevin Leung to need to get on the market and play. Mitch Guerra talked about how seeing Christy Smith on Survivor: The Amazon deal with her deafness was impactful for him, somebody who struggles with a speech obstacle. However there was one castaway that turned the pioneer for people who usually don’t have such a portrayal in media. Eva Erickson not solely disclosed that she was autistic, she took the time to acknowledge how it might affect her time on Survivor.

Within the jam-packed two-hour premiere, Eva Erickson was given a big portion of time to share her story. And fortunately, it was among the best elements of the distinctive episode. Eva used her time to inform her story, construct a reference to one other tribemate, and, most significantly, focus on autism by a lens that hardly ever sees point out in media. Her groundbreaking second is about to assist change the panorama of how contestants with autism are portrayed on actuality competitors exhibits.

Eva Is a ‘Survivor’ in Each Approach

Picture through CBS

Once we first met Eva within the recreation, we noticed a robust, decided, and impressive younger girl main her tribe on the seaside. When Lagi Tribe started engaged on their shelter, it was Eva who seemed like a Marvel superhero, lugging wooden for the tribal fireplace. Having advised us early on that she was used to being the only feminine on the membership hockey crew, we knew she may sustain with the very best of them. She was desirous to showcase her bodily energy. However Eva was conscious that her social recreation may be her singular flaw within the recreation. After which she shared why: her autism. She knew the way it may have an effect on her social recreation, but in addition celebrated the way it gave her perseverance and a drive to by no means quit. She understood that her strengths had been additionally her weaknesses. Jeff Probst loves watching people who by no means quit; we have even been given segments of castaways preventing their means by a problem, celebrating their willpower. Eva brings that drive to by no means quit by each second on the island.

However, essentially the most highly effective scene within the episode, and maybe one of many defining moments within the sequence’ historical past, was her dialog with Joe Hunter. The 2 turned an instantaneous alliance as he was searching for loyalty, and she or he was trying to find belief. When she discovered that confidence in him, she revealed her secret to him with a purpose to construct belief. It wasn’t only a passing remark. Eva introduced Joe into her world. She knowledgeable him as to how he would possibly understand her and the way he may very well be an ally past the sport. Their belief was amplified. To take action, she shared that, ought to she have an “episode,” as she referred to as them, not solely what indicators to look out for, however how he would possibly assist her at that second. She advised him that she would get arduous on herself if she tousled, and that if he sees her squeeze herself, to squeeze her fingers. It was at that second, that Joe discovered his experience or die, a younger girl that reminded him of his youngsters, but in addition found that some relationships and conversations transcend the sport. The dialog about help her by an “episode” allowed viewers to study one thing they could not have ever recognized, except they knew somebody who can be autistic. This human second deserves to go down in historical past.

Jeff Probst posing for his portrait for 'Survivor 48.'

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Autism Finds Visibility on Actuality Tv

For viewers, the depiction and illustration of autism on actuality tv has been few and much between. Love on the Spectrum was groundbreaking and examined people relationship as adults on the autistic spectrum. By means of its two seasons, viewers virtually universally praised the present’s portrayal, whereas studying one thing concerning the group they had been unaware of earlier than. Showcasing neurodiversity in a positive light has helped break stigmas discovered exterior of media. It was a celebration of inclusivity by one side of actuality tv.

Now, Eva Erickson will get to be the visibility for these adults with autism on competitors actuality packages. Becoming a member of Britini D’Angelo from Big Brother 23, who proudly shared her story, the flexibility to inform these various views is highly effective and crucial. Eva’s not there to make excuses. She’s there with immense delight. Her energy is exceptional. Whether or not she’s there till the top or voted out quickly, Eva’s inspiring premiere episode has opened doorways for different people who aspire to exit to Fiji and compete to be the Sole Survivor. Eva’s story can be one that may go down in Survivor historical past. Eva Erickson is a game-changer. She’s a hero.

Survivor airs Wednesdays at 8:00pm on CBS.