Being a Disabled Actor

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I have an audition today at Ocean Park Casting. I am hoping to have a better July than June. Although June was pretty good. That is my goal this month. In any event, I need some type of paying job. My walleto is looking pretty thin lately.

It's funny, I went to the different casting sites I am on. And there is one section where the disabled actors are listed. I wasn't on there and I should have been included. So I called several people and hopefully they will get that corrected pretty soon. There was one gal on there that is stacked like a Playboy Bunny. She was in several magazine spreads, photos, modeling sites, etc. and no where did she list having any type of disability. So I'm wondering why she is on that site at all! You don't think she would upload her resume on there just to be noticed, do you? It's like able bodied people wouldn't just park in a handicapped spot would they? Exactly!

It is really strange being a disabled actor. You don't want to draw attention to the fact that you are disabled. And yet there are certain things that we cannot do. If you are in a wheelchair and the part calls for running away from a bad guy down the alley and climbing over the fence to get away. Well, I'd have to pass on that role. However, if you go to a casting office and say hi! I'm disabled, please hire me. Yeah, like that would ever happen.

So we have to go in as confidently as we can and show what we can do. And not what we cannot do. But then if they are casting a character in a wheelchair, why would you hire an able bodied person to be in a wheelchair. Why don't you hire someone who really is in a wheelchair?

One in every 6 people are disabled in this country. Why are we not seen more in commercials and on television/films? If your project is a SAG project you can actually get money for using disabled actors in your low budget SAG film. It's a win-win situation.

I have met some fantastic actors recently. One just happens to be blind. Another is deaf but can read lips and can sign. Another is cute as a button and happens to be in a wheelchair. Another lost his leg from a motorcycle accident. They are good actors who just want a chance like everyone else in Hollywood.

I am writing and performing an original piece of work on exactly this theme. You can bet that I'll do my best at this audition. I won't draw any attention to the fact that I am disabled. I will show them what I can do and not what I can't. Give us respect and dignity. Many times our dignity goes out the window. And we must laugh at ourselves. Don't laugh at us, laugh with us.

Wow, I don't know where all that came from. I just love my friends and fellow disabled actors. We all look out for each other and encourage each other. I hope to be an inspiration to someone. I got fitted for my leg braces the other day and that was tough. But I am told it will help me to walk better, feel better and have more energy. Sounds good to me. Anything that will help my balance so I'm not falling over is a good thing. I even have a cane and now all I have to do is perfect my Charlie Chaplin walk and I'll be good to go.

I happen to be a polio survivor. FDR is my role model. He had polio too and look at all that he accomplished.

Off to another audition in la la land...