Ep 17. Jan's Aunt Jenny

The Brady Bunch season 3 episode 17, titled "Jan's Aunt Jenny," follows the Brady family as they welcome Aunt Jenny, Jan's mother's sister, for a visit. Jan is excited to see her aunt again, but is surprised when Aunt Jenny arrives in a wheelchair. The family quickly learns that Aunt Jenny has been paralyzed from the waist down due to a car accident.

The episode explores the challenges and adjustments that the family must make to accommodate Aunt Jenny's disability. The Brady's home is not wheelchair accessible, so they must carry Aunt Jenny up and down the stairs to her bedroom. Aunt Jenny also needs a special chair to sit in at the dinner table.

The family is initially hesitant to ask Aunt Jenny about her disability or offer her any help. However, they soon realize that Aunt Jenny is a strong and independent person who doesn't want to be treated any differently because of her condition. In fact, Aunt Jenny shows the family how to adapt to her needs, such as teaching them how to properly carry her upstairs and encouraging them to ask questions about her wheelchair.

Jan, who initially feels embarrassed by Aunt Jenny's disability, also learns an important lesson about acceptance and compassion. She is able to connect with Aunt Jenny on a deeper level and helps her overcome her fear of swimming by teaching her how to dive into the pool.

The episode also touches on the stigma and misconceptions surrounding disabilities at the time. Aunt Jenny recounts a story about a friend who lost his hand in a war and was treated differently by others. The family realizes that disabilities should not be stigmatized and that individuals with disabilities are just as capable as anyone else.

Overall, "Jan's Aunt Jenny" is a heartwarming episode that teaches important lessons about acceptance, compassion, and the abilities of individuals with disabilities.