Cripping the Stage

Oh my god! I actually went out last night and had a brilliant time! I went to see Cripping the Stage at Harbourfront Centre. Cripping the Stage was a disability arts cabaret featuring cutting-edge disabled artists from Canada and the United Kingdom. 

I loved all the performers, but my favourites were jes sache, Liz Carr, Laurence Clark and Mat Fraser.

I've actually known jes for years and greatly respect her art.  She talked about how it was like for her growing up with a disability and I almost cried because I could relate to her experiences.

(As an interesting side note, jes's dad and uncle ran the Bulletin Board System where Rob and I first met 28 years ago. Isn't life weird?)

Both Liz Carr and Laurence Clark poked fun at ableism. I love doing that myself so it was really enjoyable. I especially liked the part where Laurence Clark showed a video of himself telling people they were "inspirational" for doing mundane things like walking up stairs or eating ice cream. I hate it when able-bodied people tell me I'm an "inspiration". I'm just trying to live my fucking life like everybody else!

For the first few moments of Mat Fraser's song I sort of cringed and thought how corny it was, but then the words got to me and I actually teared up. It was a take on the song "There's a Place for Us" but instead of it being a love song it was a song of hope that one day all people with disabilities will be accepted and respected. 

I've had a bit of a thing for Mat Fraser ever since I listened to the podcast he used to host so I was thrilled when I got a picture with him after the show.