With SMA, there’s ‘Stranger Things’ than feeling stuck sometimes
Dustin's arc reminds me you just have to go through things to move forward
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This post contains spoilers for the final season of Netflix’s “Stranger Things.”
My level of devotion to the Netflix series “Stranger Things” dates back to the show’s premiere in the summer of 2016. As soon as the first season dropped, I was hooked. As a love letter to ’80s pop culture, with an emphasis on the stories of Steven Spielberg and Stephen King, this show provided a perfect fusion of sci-fi and horror that appealed to a lifelong geek like me.
Recently, “Stranger Things” concluded its fifth and final season. Not only did I spend New Year’s Eve watching the finale at home, but I saw it again the following day on the big screen for its limited theatrical release. It was almost like saying goodbye to a chapter of my life. For the past 10 years, I’ve watched the core ensemble of Mike, Eleven, Dustin, Lucas, Will, and Max grow up and embark on world-saving adventures together.
In season five, creators Matt and Ross Duffer portrayed Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) in a way that many fans found jarring, sparking debate on online forums. Whereas this character was known in earlier seasons for his optimism, levelheadedness, and comic relief, the first half of season five shows Dustin depressed, disconnected, and bitter. This shift in personality is the result of Dustin’s close friend Eddie (Joseph Quinn) dying at the end of season four.
While it was hard to watch my favorite character push away the people who cared about him the most, I also applauded the writers for making this a part of his arc in season five. Though he eventually reconciles with his friends and finds a way to move forward, his struggle to cope with tragedy feels raw and relatable.
Character arcs and disability progressions
There have been plenty of times while living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) when I’ve felt as stuck and closed off as Dustin. In high school, I hid from even my close friends that I was struggling with severe respiratory issues and barely sleeping during my junior year. I’m sure my exhaustion was at least somewhat noticeable, but I still pretended as if my fatigue and persistent migraines were normal issues I just had to deal with. It wasn’t until a surgery at the beginning of my senior year that my respiratory issues began to improve drastically.
During my freshman year of college, I was physically healthier and found joy in meeting new friends and having new experiences, but I still had other constraints that made me feel stuck. At home, it was getting harder for my parents to be my only full-time caregivers. And while I wasn’t getting sick, I experienced a level of disability progression that made me more dependent on other people for things like eating and drinking. Unsure how to move forward, I had a meltdown as I collapsed under the weight of feeling like a burden.
As it turns out, my breaking point was the best thing that could have happened to me. Once I recognized that I wasn’t OK and let my emotions pour out, I was able to move forward. My parents and I understood the need for me to have additional people for my at-home care, and we eventually started looking into government programs that could support us. This led me to form lifelong relationships with many caregivers over the years.
Then, as my declining upper body strength became a major barrier to my independence, we looked for solutions with my physical and occupational therapists to see what technologies could help me. In December 2015, I acquired my JACO robotic arm, a device that opened up a world of possibilities and remains a key part of my daily life.
In the latter half of season five, Dustin has an emotional reconciliation with his best friend, Steve (Joe Keery). He admits that the reason he pushed Steve and everyone else away was that he was unable to process the trauma of Eddie’s death. The moment these characters hug and instantly forgive each other is enough to make every devoted fan burst into tears. By the end of the series, Dustin remains forever changed, but he’s able to find hope again.
Living with SMA is nonlinear, and it’s OK to feel stuck sometimes. I know from experience that it’s important to confront obstacles that feel insurmountable. I also know that even when it feels extremely unlikely, there’s always a way to move forward.
Note: SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of SMA News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to spinal muscular atrophy.
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