KPFA - Pushing Limits

In a little over a week, thousands of short-statured people will be gathering for the annual Little People of America national convention in Washington D.C.   For them, this convention is excitement squared. Many little people spend most of their time in the company of average-sized people and the convention is a precious chance to romance, meet up with friends, show off art and talent, and strategize politically.

Today we get a jump on the national convention with a discussion of the hot topics for little people in the U.S.  Our guests are Julie Rotta, who wrote the forward for Betty M. Adelson’s basic book,

Despite great efforts to eliminate midget jokes and other uses of the M-word, little people continue

Find out what’s happening for little people in these two arenas — and many others.

Adrienne Lauby produces and hosts.

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Jazz Musicians with Disabilities. Eddie Ytuarte and Josh Elwood present well known musicians who had significant disabilities. They include Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Chick Webb and Rosemary Clooney……we play them not because they are “supercrips” or are “inspirational’ stories. We play them because they also helped develop the course of the wonderful world of jazz music.

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 ‘What is SHE having for dinner? “

“How can you be happy- you’re disabled”

“Where’s your friend , surely you can’t ride BART by yourself ” 

Everyday people with disabilities  hear funny, ignorant and hurtful comments such as these from folks in society who often don’t have a clue about how offensive they sound .  Wouldn’t you like to laugh and complain about their ignorance?  We will be sharing  our experiences at dealing with the ignorant comments people make about our disability.    We invite you to call in  at 510-848-4425  and share some of  the clueless remarks that people make about your disability.   Produced and hosted by Sheela Gunn-Cushman, Jacob Lesner-Buxton and Eddie Ytuarte.

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It began in living rooms and grew to the international stage.  The Disability Arts Movement came out of the disability movement of the 70s and 80s with brilliance and fire.  We revisit the origins, remember important performance groups and individuals, and talk about contemporary disability arts.

Pamela Kay Walker’s memoir, “Moving Over the Edge, Artists with Disabilities Take the Leap” chronicled the disability arts movement and her role as an integral part of the Berkeley wing of that movement.

We discuss the memoir with Hannah Jo Karpilow who was Pamela’s right arm woman in the creation of the book, as well as Peni Hall, one of the central members of  the Wry Crips Readers Theater group.   Adrienne Lauby and Shelley Berman co-host.

Then, we’ll play excerpts of the film, “A Culture Undiscovered” and listen to the voices of people of color who live with learning disabilities.

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Corporate pharmaceuticals are ethically challenged in multiple ways.  But, many people with disabilities owe their lives to the drugs provided by Big Pharma.

We illustrate some of the problems with excerpts from the film, “Selling Sickness,” directed by Pat Scott.  Then, disability advocates Caroline Harby and s.e. smith help us pull apart the many strands of our community’s relationship with prescription medication.

With time out to talk about the value of community radio, the quality you hear on KPFA and the unique and valuable programming of Pushing Limits.  All in the hope that you will go to the phone and become a member of KPFA.

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Cuts: Subsidized Housing & A Plan for Social Security Major cuts to the HUD housing voucher program are leaving people on the streets and threatening the  homes of the very poor.   Today, we give you the dirty details of how Federal sequestration is playing out in central and northern California.  The Democrats said these cuts would cause enormous pain, even death.  The Republicans said government programs could be cut even more.  As we begin to see the effects of these massive across-the-board cuts, it’s no comfort, but the Democrats were right.

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Fat body activist Amanda Levitt speaks with co-hosts Eddie Ytuarte and Adrienne Lauby why being fat does not mean she is a person with a disability However, do the two communities share similar characteristics or experiences? Do us disabled share common barriers like facing various forms of discrimination or ….or being victimized by negative and ugly stereotypes. Are we being silly when we are told that one of the reasons people are fat is that we eat to much fast food in contemporary USA. What does Amanda think about some of the superficial impressions; but yes–we want to know why being fat is not being disabled.

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We’re the ones making the jokes these days, with comics coming out and proud about their disabilities. This has changed the state of comedic art in relationship to disability. But, how much? And, what remains the same?

Two comics with disabilities, Nina G and Andy Arias, join our hosts and able-bodied comic Karen Ripley to talk about audiences, lines that shouldn’t be crossed, and their personal gray areas. Some jokes will be traded, no doubt.

Jokes about disabled people have been a cornerstone for many a schoolyard bully. There’s an entire category of jokes about midgets. And, yes, mocking limbs, faces, waistlines and verbal ticks is pretty much standard water fountain humor. These comics are facing down the bullies and standing up for the art of the funny. In studio, with Pushing Limits teammates, Jacob Buxton-Lesner, Adrienne Lauby and Shelley Berman.

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Fund Drive Special

Mark O’Brien who lived most of his life in an iron lung is the focus of the new movie, “The Sessions.” We talk to Jessica Yu, the director of the Oscar-winning “Breathing Lessons.” David Steinberg, photos of sexual intimacy between persons wit disabilities. Dr.Rafe Eric Biggs and his partner Ligia Andrade, both sex educators with disabilities.

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Come and give and take with Pushing Limit hosts Eddie Ytuarte and Shelley Berman about the current controversy over gun control….that is if they put their differences aside and want other folks with disabilities to speak about this biting topic. Not all people in the disability community are that enthusiastic about President Obama’s and New York State governor Cuomo’s plans to stem gun related homicides. If you are disabled and need a gun tell us why you should legally have one. If you think guns will just lead to more wanton killings, tell us we need more restrictions.

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