Working for Ability Magazine

I have the great honor to be working with Ability Magazine, one of my favorite publications by and for people with disabilities.

Some of my work:

Director Sarah Stewart and her all-female crew gave great insight into many of the challenges people with chronic illnesses have to face all the time, and by including such a diverse variety of chronically ill people with different health conditions as well as from different walks of life, they showed that those challenges aren’t unique to a specific chronic illness; they are rather universal and unite all chronically ill people.

Read full review here: https://abilitymagazine.com/trust-me-im-sick-documentary/

Easterseals was created by one man, who, as early as the 1900s, realized that people with disabilities can’t be ignored and have to be included. More than 100 years later, CEO Angela Williams and her team at Easterseals continue to making sure Edgar Allen’s mission is fulfilled. And maybe—just maybe—before the next anniversary we all can celebrate 100 percent inclusion and 100 percent empowerment for all people with disabilities.

Read the full article: https://abilitymagazine.com/angela-williams-leading-easterseals-with-100-years-of-service/

Multi-media work (video, audio and text)

 “I have had airlines asking me to get off the plane because they thought my dog wasn’t a qualified service dog,” she remembers. A more common issue involves ride-sharing companies in the US, whose drivers often deny people with service dogs access to their car. “Sometimes, they talk to us, but more often, they just drive away.”

Meet Haben Girma: disability rights advocate and first deaf-blind Harvard Law School graduate. – ABILITY Magazine

Podcast with Haben

https://pod.co/ability-magazine/a-conversation-with-haben-girma-disability-rights-advocate-and-first-deaf-blind-harvard-law-school-graduate

Jacob Fraker – Rare Disease Advisory Council article

ABILITY Magazine asked people from all around the world to share their thoughts in short selfie-style videos or during an online interview, following strict isolation to protect us all. 

#StayTheF**kAtHome – People belonging to the COVID-19 risk group speak out. – ABILITY Magazine

‘El Candidato’: A documentary about Bryan Russell, the first man with Down syndrome to run for public office. – ABILITY Magazine

Many are the front-line workers who are unified in their dedication to their communities. “That’s a choice that I made. I am committed. I am committed to the field and to the people I support. So, this is a risk I am willing to take.” Antoinette Powell, YAI’s senior supervisor.

How YAI, Next for Autism and Cure SMA are supporting their community during COVID-19

We feel very strongly about making sure that kids can see a positive representation of themselves, not a stereotype. So, there are several shows that feature characters with disabilities.

Accessibility and Inclusion: ‘This is who we are’ – PBS KIDS, a model for all media

Rita calls her ramps a “Hingucker,” the German translation of an eye-catcher. However, in fact, they are much more than that. “They get the people to actually think about accessibility,” she says. Due to the uniqueness of every single ramp, people don’t simply walk by.

‘Lego Oma:’ German grandma creates Lego ramps to access buildings and imagination

“If I can get to the point where people only see me as ‘the man with the hat’ and not ‘the man in the wheelchair,’ then we have really achieved inclusion.”

Raul Krauthausen, Disability Rights Activist

In many ways, Keith’s family’s journey represents most people with rare conditions that just want to be heard. With ‘Unlocking Bryson’s Brain,’ Keith hasn’t only managed to get a step closer to finding a possible cure for his son Bryson, he has also portrayed an often neglected minority, who, I am sure, appreciates his work just as much as I do. 

A father and his search for a cure

I remember being in this area in Los Angeles right by the Grove, which is a famous shopping mall. I was going to get dinner to bring back to my apartment. All of a sudden, I hear screaming. Then I realized that the screaming was actually because I was there. And I thought, “Oh shit, it’s real now.” That’s how it started, and, boom, seven years go by. 

Ian Harding opens up about ‘Pretty Little Liars’, lupus and Germany — Teil Eins (Part 1)

“We really have to look at how we rectify that mixed message: You are beautiful. You are perfect just the way you are, but… you’re never going to see yourself. This is why I make these dolls. And the most powerful part about them is that for the first time in these kids’ lives, they’re seeing themselves!” Besides having a major impact on each little person’s life, Amy’s dolls also reflect the bigger picture: Representation does matter, and there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. But with people like Amy, we will get there, a doll at a time. 

A Doll Like Me — Every Child Should Feel Included – ABILITY Magazine

Andrew counter these false assumptions about disabled people’s sex life by showing that they are a sexual being. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that they speak openly about their relationship with multiple sex workers. With Andrew’s particular disability – spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy – their access to their own body is limited. Therefore, they found the help of professionals to be beneficial to overcome this barrier. 

Disability, Sex and Adult Toys by and for People with Disabilities – ABILITY Magazine

“Do something for others because we, here, have a mission to spread happiness.” John’s Crazy Socks has both a social mission and a business mission, and those are inseparable. “If all we did was sell socks, nobody would hear of us,” Mark explains. John and Mark always look for a personal connection with their customers, which distinguishes John’s Crazy Socks from other businesses.

In the Business of Spreading Happiness: John’s Crazy Socks – ABILITY Magazine

“I felt a sense of duty to use my platform to speak out about this and start raising awareness [for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome].”

Jameela Jamil: Advocate First, Actress Second – ABILITY Magazine

Cover Image: Trust Me, I’m Sick