Big Hero 6: Lessons on Perspective, Care, and Embracing Life’s Detours
When we’re navigating life with chronic pain, it can often feel like we’re stuck in a never-ending loop—like we’re trying to solve an impossible puzzle. In those moments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, powerless, or as if there’s no way forward. But if you’ve ever watched Big Hero 6, you know that this movie is filled with moments that challenge that very mindset. It’s a movie about dealing with loss. Finding strength in unexpected places, and realizing that how we see the world can change everything.
Even if you’re not trying to become a superhero (which, let’s be honest, would be kind of awesome), the lessons Hiro and his friends learn throughout the movie can be surprisingly relevant to real life. Especially when it comes to dealing with chronic pain and those moments where nothing seems to be working. So, let’s take a dive into Big Hero 6 and how they can help us live better.
Look at Things from a Different Perspective
One of the most impactful scenes in Big Hero 6 is when Tadashi helps Hiro gain entry into Callahan’s advanced college. Hiro is stuck, frustrated, and unable to see a way forward. Tadashi doesn’t solve the problem for him; instead, he gives Hiro a new perspective. By advising him to look at the problem from a different angle, Tadashi empowers Hiro to unlock his own creativity and find the solution.
So often, when we’re dealing with chronic pain, we can become fixated on what’s wrong. We zero in on the pain, the limitations, the frustrations—and that makes sense. Pain is loud, both physically and emotionally. It demands our attention. But what if, like Hiro, we took a step back and looked at our pain from a new perspective?
For example, instead of focusing on what you can’t do, try looking at what you can do, even if it’s small. Shifting your perspective might involve thinking creatively about how to adapt certain activities or daily tasks to your current abilities. It could also mean reassessing what’s most important to you in this moment and prioritizing those things while giving yourself grace for the things you can’t do right now.
Chronic pain can trap us in a narrow viewpoint—one where we see only limitations. But if we take a step back and shift our angle, like Hiro, we may find new possibilities we hadn’t considered. This doesn’t mean the pain goes away, but it gives us more options for how to navigate it.
“Are You Satisfied with Your Care?”
One of Baymax’s most memorable lines is, “Are you satisfied with your care?” Baymax is a healthcare robot, programmed to ensure the well-being of his patients. But when we’re living with chronic pain, this question goes much deeper. Are we satisfied with the care we’re receiving—not just from doctors, but from ourselves?
When dealing with chronic pain, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of accepting subpar care. Maybe we don’t feel heard by our healthcare providers, or we’re too exhausted to advocate for ourselves. Or perhaps we’ve stopped nurturing our emotional needs because we’re so focused on the physical pain.
This is where Baymax’s question becomes vital. If the answer to “Are you satisfied with your care?” is “no,” then it’s time to reassess. Are there ways you can advocate more for yourself in medical settings? This might mean seeking out second opinions, finding a specialist who truly listens, or exploring complementary therapies that might offer additional relief.
On the flip side, are you caring for your emotional and mental well-being? Chronic pain often goes hand-in-hand with feelings of isolation, anxiety, or depression. It’s crucial to address these parts of your care, too. Whether it’s through therapy, building a supportive community, or simply allowing yourself time to rest when you need it, self-care is about treating all aspects of yourself with kindness and respect.
And don’t forget: If you’re not satisfied with your care, you have the right to seek better care. You’re not stuck with what you have—you deserve to feel heard, understood, and supported.
Life Doesn’t Always Go as Planned
Hiro and his friends never intended to become superheroes. Their journey starts in a place of deep pain and loss—Hiro is grieving his brother, Tadashi, and his life has been completely thrown off course. But out of that tragedy comes an unexpected transformation. Hiro and his friends find themselves taking on new roles, facing challenges they never imagined, and ultimately discovering strength they didn’t know they had.
This resonates so deeply with those of us who live with chronic pain. Most of us didn’t plan for this—chronic pain wasn’t part of the life script we wrote for ourselves. Whether it’s the result of an injury, illness, or something else entirely, pain can make us feel like we’ve lost control over our lives.
But what if, like Hiro, we found ways to embrace the unexpected turns our lives have taken? This doesn’t mean pretending that everything is fine or ignoring the pain. It’s about recognizing that while life might not look like we expected, it can still be meaningful. Sometimes, the detours life throws at us reveal new parts of ourselves—strengths we didn’t know we had, new relationships, or passions we never would have discovered.
It’s okay to grieve the life you thought you’d have. That’s a natural part of living with pain. But don’t forget to look for the new opportunities that might be hidden in the detours. Even in the face of pain, there are ways to build a fulfilling, joyful life.
It’s Alright to Cry
One of the most powerful moments in Big Hero 6 is when Hiro finally breaks down and allows himself to cry over the loss of his brother. For much of the movie, Hiro is holding it all in, trying to be strong. But when he finally lets go, it’s a moment of healing.
Crying is often seen as a sign of weakness, especially when we’re trying to cope with something like chronic pain. We tell ourselves to “be strong” or to “push through.” But the truth is, crying is a natural and healthy response to pain—whether it’s physical, emotional, or both.
Allowing ourselves to cry is a form of release. It’s a way of processing the deep emotions that come with living in pain. And after that release, we often feel lighter, more grounded, and ready to take on what comes next. Don’t be afraid to let your emotions flow. Healing isn’t just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about acknowledging the hurt and giving yourself permission to feel.
If you need to cry, cry. If you need to grieve, grieve. It’s okay to not have it all together all the time.
Wrapping Up the Disney Lessons
As we wrap up this blog series on lessons from Disney movies, I hope Big Hero 6 has left you with a sense of hope and empowerment. Life with chronic pain is full of challenges, but by shifting our perspective, seeking better care, embracing detours, and allowing ourselves to feel, we can build a life that is meaningful and full of possibilities.
This is the final post in the Disney lessons series, but feel free to revisit the previous posts here on the blog. Sometimes, a little reminder from a favorite movie is all we need to see things in a new light.
Thank you for coming along on this journey with me. I hope these stories have helped you, just as they’ve helped me, to see the world differently and find strength in unexpected places. Remember: even when life doesn’t go as planned, you are capable of great things.
Stay brave, keep going, and be kind to yourself. The hero in you is already there, waiting to be discovered.
