Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Future Events Such As These Will Affect You In The Future--Edward Davis Wood, Jr.


If you really think about it, the human body is pretty damn complex. Now, after 2 operations to remove a tumor from my medulla oblongata and another to pull one out of my thoracic spine, physical breakdown ceases to surprise me. “Healthy,” “normal,” “abled” (for cryin’ out loud) people boggle my mind. I used to be one of them. They never know it can’t last. I didn’t.


When VHL showed up in my body in the form of cysts and tumors, I went from “what? me?” to “groan...shoulda seen that coming” pretty quickly. You can’t much quibble with the hereditary. I started making fun of it almost immediately. This habit helps control my fear. I figure if I bully my disease enough in my imagination, it’ll eventually leave on its own ;-) Mind you, I haven’t turned down any necessary medical care. But by keeping my sense of humor strong I manage to stay sane each time I think about the disease.


Maybe there are better ways to deal with the onslaught of illness and disability than freaking out. I try out a few strategies in my play--most of them ridiculous. Please come check it out at H Street Playhouse on Wednesday.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Does This Go-Go Bikini Make My Butt Look Disabled?



Knee high boots with 3 inch heels. Chartreuse. Fierce walk. Music blares. Lights up. Fringe flies. A 6 ½ inch scar slices my back from the nape of my neck to the bottom of my shoulder blades, but you barely notice--if at all. Welcome to my world.


Sometimes, you can spot someone with a disability right away: a cane, a wheel chair, a voice, a mannerism. Other times, the normal looking (dare I say attractive) young woman at the next table in a restaurant appears to throw her fork at you from out of nowhere. She looks dejectedly at her lunch, then makes eye contact with her friend and they laugh as if this happens fairly often. Yep, that’s me again.


When I’m on stage, I can trick you.

Saturday, June 5, 2010



Welcome to this special bloggers edition of DCTheatreScene. We've invited all performers in the DC VSA Festival to talk about their experience producing as VSA artists, and coming to DC.

Read on.

Lorraine Treanor,
Editor, DCTheatreScene