In the late 1970s, actor Dick Van Dyke was in a public service announcement to inform people the steps to take when in a house fire. Stop, drop to the floor, and roll, roll, roll. The public service announcement continued airing long after the 1970s. I can’t remember when I …
What Marvel’s Makkari Means for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Marvel have finally announced the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) first deaf character, Makkari. Played by deaf actress Lauren Ridloff, Makkari is a speedy superhero with abilities such as rearranging molecules and telepathy. Makkari: Last Woman Standing One of the four Eternals, Makkari, is the last woman standing. The Eternals were …
Our Favorite Shows with Disabled Characters! If Only!
Watching television is about so much more than escapism these days. We tune into our favorite shows to see our experiences reflected back at us and to gain insight into the lives of people that we don’t usually encounter in our daily lives. Unfortunately for the disability community, our stories …
I Define Disability Pride.
July was Disability Pride month. As I reflect on my disability and the upcoming 38th anniversary of my accident on August 22, 1983, where I sustained a spinal cord injury, my mind is filled with questions and some answers. What does Disability Pride mean to me? Fundamentally, I define myself …
Disabled Fictional Characters Are Needed. Here’s Why.
For many of us, finding a disability community – at whatever age it happens – feels like coming home. But growing up disabled can often be a lonely experience. I grew up in a very rural area where there were few disabled kids and disability stigma ran rampant. Labeled a …
ADA 31st Anniversary
My ADA Anniversary Wish List This has been an unprecedented year for the disability community. As we celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we can reflect on many events that highlight the accomplishments and power of individuals with disabilities. Occurrences such as the film, “Crip Camp,” being nominated for …
Enough With Adding Another Label
This month Audacitymagazine.com celebrates its 17th year as the online lifestyle magazine for physically disabled people. AudacityMagazine.com has one birthday request from society. Stop giving us another label, especially the ones that demean us. Labels are becoming fashionable in our current society. I don’t mean Fendi or Chanel. Did you …
Disabled Artists are Audaciously Creative
Gustav Klimt said “art is a line around your thoughts.” Art is always about expression, about putting a line around your thoughts, but even more so when the artists are disabled. Whether it’s painting or performance or writing, it’s all about projecting your personality and ideals into the world, which …
Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Married
In the Facebook group for the Osteogenesis Imperfecta community, people from all over the world ask if marriage is possible. Personally, I don’t know why that’s a question but I knew I could help answer that question by asking those who are married. Here is the story of three Osteogenesis …