Artists With Disabilities

In Arts: A Film about Possibilities, Disabilities and the Arts, we see that individuals with disabilities often have talents in the arts, and use this talent to develop their self-esteem, express some of their frustrations and joys, and interact with the outside world.  One example of this is Geri Jewell.  Jewell has cerebral palsy, and was the first disabled actress to have a regular role on a prime-time television show.  She also is a standup comedian.  In one act, she tells the story of being in the hospital with her cerebral palsy, and her sister first suggesting she do standup.  Jewell disregarded her sister’s suggestion, believing that her cerebral palsy was too much of a hindrance.  As you can tell, she decided to eventually follow her sister’s advice, and it’s a good thing she did.  She is a very talented individual, who is using humor not only to make others laugh, but also to change attitudes about disabilities.  When you watch her act, at first all you can see is her disability.  But, as time goes on, you realize that she is just a normal person, just like you or me.

One question that this documentary addressed was the question of whether artists with disabilities should be advertised as an artist with a disability.  Some of the artists in the documentary did not allow their works to be presented as art done by a person with a disability.  They just wanted it to be art.  Others, like Geri Jewell, were perfectly comfortable using that label.  Those that don’t want their disability associated with their artwork make a good point.  They don’t want to be viewed as “different” because of their disability, and they certainly don’t want people to only appreciate their art because it was done by someone with a disability. They want their art to be art, that’s it. But, artists that do allow their disability to be associated with their art also have a purpose.  Many of them wish to prove that they really aren’t different through their art.  They are just as talented as their colleagues without disabilities, so why should they be viewed differently?  They can also serve as role models for others who are like them.  Seeing someone with a disability succeed as some of these artists have inspires others with disabilities to see past their own incapacities, to see that they can work around them, or even with them, to create beautiful things.  While those that don’t want to be associated with disabilities are focused simply on their art, on creating something beautiful for others to appreciate, those that embrace their incapacities seem to be aiming for something more.  They are trying to change popular opinion about Disabled People.  They are trying to change the world.

Here is Geri Jewell's demo reel.  As you can see, many of her roles play up on her disability, and she does a fantastic job of using that to her advantage.

http://www.imdb.com/video/demo_reel/vi1253153817/