Accepting limitations is a sign of wisdom, not weakness

Dear Activists with disabilities,

Since disability doesn’t discriminate, we are the cross-section of everything – every religion, political affiliation, ethnicity, sexual-identity, sexual orientation etc…we encompass all of it. Therefore, we feel the impact of more issues than just the ones that are disability specific.

Although we are passionate people who feel very strongly about our individual values, it is important we are mindful of our physical limitations. Some with disabilities are very capable of participating in a demonstration or protest and I fully support them. 

However, some are not physically up to that challenge due to complex medical conditions. So, instead of throwing your medically fragile bodies into the front lines of the many protests going on in our country right now, I urge you to utilize technology instead. There are numerous ways that technology can be used to support the causes that you hold dear.

-       Launch a video campaign - Organize like-minded folks to make a video of themselves expressing their feelings about a specific topic. Then post & share! Partner with an organization that shares your values to help your videos reach more people.

-       Blog – A personal story often packs a greater punch than an actual punch. Spill your guts (figuratively speaking) and blog about why you feel the way you do. If you feel passionately enough to be considering putting your medically fragile body in harms way to make a difference, than I feel you should have the conviction to open up about why you are steadfast in your beliefs.

-       Organize an email campaign – To make it easier for folks to participate, write up a few example letters that can be copy, pasted, and easily modified.

-       Social Media – Tweet. Retweet. Share. Like. Love. Never underestimate the power of sharing information!

Accepting limitations is a sign of wisdom, not weakness. Finding alternative solutions is what disabled people do every day. Stay strong. Never give up. Just make sure you’re still around to celebrate after we cross the finish line.

Nothing About Us Without Us,

Jane Hash aka The Gimp Avenger

Theatre Bizarre - The Gimpy Review

Jane Hash and Green Beard
photo by Alternative Noise Productions

My small and fragile frame is home to a ridiculously adventurous personality. This leads to many internal arguments when presented with an exciting yet risky new opportunity. Generally, I agree to this compromise with myself – I’ll try almost anything that sounds fun…once. If it turns out to be too dangerous though, I’m in and out like a cheap date and never return to the scene of the crime. However, when it turns out wickedly successful, I’ll likely do it again.

The most recent of my wickedly successful adventures took place last Friday in Detroit, Michigan at the largest Masonic Temple in the world. The venue – Theatre Bizarre! This event has been described as an art installation first and a party second. I agree. The following is a list of reasons why I will return to Theatre Bizarre (hopefully as a performer.)

The staff is truly helpful - When my entourage pulled into the parking lot and made it known to the parking attendants and security folk that a disabled person was on board, they all sprang into action. Not only did they know where the entrance ramp and stair lift was but they also knew how to work the lift! Many times I have been in situations where I was expected to know how to work an establishment’s stair lift. Sorry, I must have skipped that section of the Gimp Handbook.

The ambiance – When I first wheeled into the event, I thought, “This must be what a party would look like at Count Dracula’s castle.” The dim lighting, moving fog, and indescribable characters creeping out of the shadows kept me on my toes – figuratively speaking.

The mind fucking – Every person in attendance was actually part of the overall performance, whether they realized it or not. I was even slow on the uptake myself. Once I found my groove though, I started to play my part. When I sat perfectly still for a few minutes, I could tell that passersby were uncertain if I was a real person or just a prop. Then I would say “hello” and giggle when they’d jump. 

photo by Alternative Noise Productions

The elevators provided opportunities for such mind fuckery as well. I generally rode with my back to the door because it was just too crowded for me to turn my wheelchair around without breaking everyone’s toes. On one occasion though, a woman popped on and rested her ample booty upon my head. I don’t think she was trying to be rude. Her hands were full of beverages so her focus was on trying not to spill them. She just didn’t see me down bellow…I’m pretty damn short. So, I decided to give her booty a backward motorboat. It’s like the backward cowgirl but different. Then I told her that I usually charge for such services but I’d let her slide because she is cute. She was speechless.

Accessibility – I saw at least five other wheelchair-users there! Most of the time, when I participate in a non-mainstream event, I am the only wheelchair-user in attendance. Lack of accessibility is a factor. Every disabled person doesn’t have the luxury of being small and portable like me. Stairs can be a deal breaker for gimpsters. This Masonic Temple where Theatre Bizarre has made its home though has ramps, lifts, and elevators in all the right places.

Variety – Theatre Bizarre is such a large and action packed event, it isn’t possible to see it all. At the same time though, it is impossible to feel like you’ve actually missed anything at all. For example, I was really looking forward to The Dirty Devil’s Peep Show but I just didn’t make it there. However, I did get to see a solo performance of Miss Roxi D’Lite…as well as a singing zombie, rope bondage, flesh hook suspension, The Devil’s Tight Rope, and a few other things that I’m still processing.

Jane Hash & Flec S. Mindscape

The details – Holy visual stimulation Batman! There were absolutely no holes or flaws in this over the top masquerade theme. Everywhere I looked, there was something or someone so captivatingly creepy, strange, and beautiful that it was hard to keep moving. I found myself getting stuck on one intense image after another. Amazing!

Body diversity – Anyone who is shying away from being a performer because they don’t fit pop culture’s mold of what is attractive needs to attend Theatre Bizarre. I have never seen so many talented, professional, and beautiful performers under one roof before! They came in every shape, size, color, gender, and physical ability. It was particularly endearing for me to see a small statured, wheelchair-user play a guitar and dedicate his song to all the “cripples” out there.

The characters – Aside of the amazingly talented headlining acts, there were plenty of other performers who deserve recognition. The Elevator Attendants were great comedic peacekeepers. Keeping the elevators from getting full beyond capacity while staying in character had to be a challenge, especially after drunk-o-clock. Then, there were other characters that mingled with the crowd to maintain the creepy cool vibe throughout the night. I confess…the scary devil woman made me scream like a little girl.
This is a magnificent event that I am fortunate enough to have experienced. Thank you Theatre Bizarre family for putting on a show that compares to no other. See you all next year!

Jane Hash and Tutu Twin
photo by Alternative Noise Productions

Dancing Wheels Benefit Concert Sets the Stage a Blaze

The 2014 Dancing Wheels Benefit Concert Sets the

Stage a Blaze with Rock that Rolls!

Jen Sikora, Sara Lawrence-Sucato, Emma Parker, and Catherine Meredith - DW Dancers
Jane Hash, Blogger
photo by Tom Trainer 

The house will be rockin’ on Friday, April 11 when the Dancing Wheels Company ignites the stage at Public Hall with an unforgettable evening of music and dance by America’s most notable Rock Hall inductees: Madonna, R.E.M., Ray Charles, The Temptations and Alice Cooper.

An awesome VIP Party (hosted by more than 55 enthusiastic hosts) will start the festivities at 6:30 p.m.Party goers will be invited to food samplings enjoyed by the rock stars themselves prepared by Executive Caterers, a photo booth where they can dress up like their favorite rocker and peruse unique musical and ‘rock’ and “roll” items on the one of a kind silent auction.

The high energy performance will commence at 8:00 p.m. with a special guest appearance by Bobby Harris and Skip Martin from the Grammy Award-winning, Dazz Band who will open the performance. Guest celebrity hosts Thomas Mulready of CoolCleveland, Dennis Lewins, with WCLV/HD2 Idea Stream and Jeremy James Verdi, Cougar 93.7 will take audiences on a musical journey as they introduce each dance performed by the Dancing Wheels Company.

Ja’Vaughn White, DW Dancer
photo by Tom Trainer

Four emerging choreographers from New York City were chosen to create new dance works for this concert using the music from inductees from the Rock Hall of Fame. Shawn Rawls created The Temptation Suite with Just My Imagination, Ain’t too Proud to Beg and Papa was a Rolling Stone, Ted Thomas went with songs from R.E.M Man on the Mood, At My Most Beautiful and Superman entitled If You Believe; Ashley Carter and Vanessa Martinez used a later Madonna song 4 Minutes, in which she sang with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, they titled their piece Save the World and Ginger Cox brought to life the soulful and hip music of Ray Charles with Let the Good Times Roll, a medley consisting of Let the Good Times Roll Georgia (on my mind) and Hit the Road Jack!

In addition to these four world premieres, the Company will also perform its recent new and exciting high energy work, Straight Down the Middle a suite of Alice Cooper music choreographed by Dance St. Louis Artistic Director, Michael Uthoff. A special guest appearance by the Dancing Wheels School will be an amazing addition to the evening Twenty-two students from the Dancing Wheels School will be joined on stage by students from “On Your Toes” Dance Studio for Pride with music by U2 choreographed by Dancing Wheels School Coordinator, Emma Parker.

After the show all audience members are invited to join in on a dance party like no other with the high energy music of Festivus, Cleveland’s # 1 rated Party Band!

Jason Shaw, DW Dancer
photo by Tom Trainer

About the Company:

Now in its 33rd season, the Dancing Wheels Company under the artistic direction of Mary Verdi-Fletcher and Rehearsal Director, Catherine Meredith, perform throughout the world with more than 75 performances each year. With this new body of work the Company’s wide and diverse repertory has grown to nearly 60 works.

Mary Verdi-Fletcher said “This Rock that Rolls Project proved to be exciting and informative for both the dancers and the choreographers. We engaged in diverse genres of dance while significantly broadening the vocabulary of each of the choreographers with our technique of translation and unique partnering; giving way to the new and endless possibilities that are available through physically integrated dance”

The 15 member Dancing Wheels Company members performing in this eclectic concert include: Kelly Clymer, Dezare Foster*, Samantha Fox, Daniel “Isaah” Henderson*, Emma Parker, Franklin Polk, Jen Sikora, Jason Shaw, Sara Lawrence-Sucato*, Mary Verdi-Fletcher, Apprentices, Lianne Zydowic, Hope Harl and Kevin Marr. Trainees Ja’Vaughn White and Tanya Ewell. *denotes Dance Captains


Benefit VIP tickets are $100, general admission tickets and after party are $30. For more information or to make reservations call (216) 432-0306 or log on to www.dancingwheels.org


Sponsored by Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, Scene Magazine, Rock the House, AmRamp and Sherwin Williams. All proceeds benefit the Dancing Wheels Company & School’s educational and outreach programs. Additional sponsors: Cleveland Foundation, Bruening Foundation, MetLife Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, Emerson Process Management, National Endowment For The Arts, Target, The George Gund Foundation, The Kuhn Family Foundation, The Kennedy Center VSA, The Nord Family Foundation, Invacare, Key Bank, and Cuyahoga Board of Developmental Disabilities.

The Grog Shop and Mickey Avalon - Excellent Combination

Let's take care of business first, then I'll share my exciting and somewhat embarrassing tale of acting like a star struck teenager when I met Mickey Avalon.  

The Grog Shop, located in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, is a totally 'Gimp Avenger approved' spot in regard to wheelchair accessibility.  I think anyone using a power wheelchair, manual wheelchair or a scooter would be able to enjoy venues at The Grog Shop.  There are no steps at all.  It is air conditioned and has a totally open floor-plan.  The women's bathroom is fairly spacious as well.  Sorry, I have no input on the men's bathroom...I'm not that kind of girl!  

photo by Tom Trainer

Saturday night was my second visit to The Grog Shop.  This occasion was the Mickey Avalon concert.  I'm not sure if the crowd was scared of me because of my beast of a wheelchair or if they were just being polite.  I'm grateful regardless because they all got out of my way so I could roll right up to the stage.  Mickey put on an awesome show, with the assistance of a super hot and talented stripper who had naturally pretty breasts.  Hooray for natural boobies!  

Mickey is a very personable performer who is not oozing with ego which makes me like him even more.  Between songs he reached out and shook hands with every fan he could reach.  Except me...  Instead, he jumped off the stage to come give me a big, sweaty, hug!  It seemed very obvious that he sincerely appreciates all of his fans.

photo by Tom Trainer

After the show, my posse and I lingered for a while in hopes of meeting him.  I wanted to tell him that I'm a DJ with my own radio show and I play his music regularly to help promote him.  I had it all rehearsed in my head.  

Then, a woman came up to me and said Mickey requested that I come back-stage!  She lead me past a huge line of people who were wanting to see him.  Keeping in mind that Mickey Avalon has this image of being a sexual deviant, drug enthusiast...I was a little scared where my journey back-stage might actually take me.  When I reached my destination though, Mickey was totally non-threatening and polite.  Also, I was more giggly and air-headed than I expected.  Everything I wanted to say to him totally slipped my mind.  He offered to autograph something for me but I had nothing!  What's a girl to do in this situation???  Whip out a boob of course!  He was very cool about having photos taken too. 

photo by Tom Trainer

Thank you Mickey Avalon for putting on a super groovy show and thank you Grog Shop for providing a totally accessible location to enjoy the show!