|
|
"The Strength Coach
Radio Show airs Sunday evenings at 11 p.m. Eastern Time on the Radio America
Network.
This week's show - Jan. 2
The Strength Coach's Highlight Reel: Listen to reflections on The Best of Year 1
Disability Culture: Ready
for Prime Time?
By Greg Smith
Every Christmas for the past several
years I received a brown hand-written greeting. It was always my favorite one. “Greg, we love
you! Congratulations for your work in the media! Lead on!”
It was signed by Justin Dart ... a
friend and frequent radio guest. Known as the Father of the ADA, Justin dedicated his life to
the empowerment of the individual. His encouragement inspired me to continue, often despite my
own doubts about how successful the mission could be.
Now, as I look forward to 2005, I
feel guided with an amazing sense of power to finally offer the world the value of the
disability experience through mass media. I’m ready to lead. Are we ready for prime time?
This is more than a motivational pep
talk. I have clarity that our time has come. This is the year we can make breakthroughs in the
media and assume our rightful place in America’s family rooms.
For 12 years, we established the
foundation. The “good-ole-days” were abundant when “On A Roll – Talk Radio on Life &
Disability” shattered devaluing stereotypes about people with disaiblities, giving listeners an
accurate picture of the experience, with all of the joys and pains, frustrations and triumphs.
In my closet and under my bed are hundreds of CDs and tapes featuring historic interviews with
personalities who were living examples of inner strength and disability pride.
But 12 years is a long time to work
on a goal. Last year, around the holiday season, I was in a reflective state. I was proud of
the success, but disappointed with the impact. After 12 years, only 35 stations? Not nearly
enough to make the kind of difference I envisioned.
So one year ago, I pulled the plug,
frustrated with the fact that the suits at the radio conferences just didn’t “get it.” To
them, a show about disability seemed just slightly more entertaining than a show about death.
And too often, in too many big cities where the voice was needed, it was ignored. This was
the perception, despite all the laughs and joys we shared with our listeners.
We went back to the drawing board and
designed “The Strength Coach,” a program that uses our culture’s admiration of the inner
strength that often accompanies disability as a starting point to reach out to the mainstream.
We can report that the new show is “ready for prime time.” But that’s just part of the reason
for optimism.
The Movie
An exciting opportunity exists to advance the cause and we need your help! On Feb. 15, 2005, a
one-hour documentary film will air nationwide on PBS on a series called INDEPENDENT LENS.
Joanne Caputo’s award-winning “On A Roll: Family, Disability and the American Dream” will blow
people’s minds.
People with disabiities will identify
with the challenges, triumphs and outrageouness of disabled life. They will see themselves in
this movie… often literally! The film has many dozens of cameos from people active in the
disability rights movement. But the bigger impact is the fact that mainstream audiences will
really get to know someone with a severe disability. They’ll get to know me well. Nothing is
held back.
Joanne Caputo’s film, in which I had
absolutely no creative control, shows me as a father, a lover, a friend, a traveler, a sports
fan and a man with a dream. People will relate. They’ll laugh. They’ll cry. And many will
be inspired to do their part by saying yes to mass media that celebrates disability culture.
Perhaps, the outcome will be a reality TV show, a dramatic series and a motion picture that
tells the real deal.
I’ve done a lot of networking in the
mass media, especially recently. I’ve met with the most powerful people in media and received
promises yet unfulfilled. If this movie is promoted properly it can be a true breakthrough!
I am asking for your support in the
following ways:
1. Mark your calendars for Feb. 15,
2005.
2. Check your local listings for
“Independent Lens” which airs on most PBS stations Tuesdays at
10 p.m.
3. Bookmark the Web site,
http://www.onarolldocumentary.com
4. When the time comes, forward the
press release to everybody you know in the media, local and national and follow up with an
angle for local promotion of your own disability-related organization and how the film captures
the essence of life and disability.
All the information you need will be
available at http://www.onarolldocumentary.com,
so keep checking the site for updates. With your help, great progress can happen for
mainstream awareness of disability pride in 2005.
Thank you for your support throughout the
years. I look forward to the thrills we will enjoy together in 2005 and beyond. On behalf of
Producer Mike Ervin and Webmaster Bethany Broadwell, we at “The Strength Coach” wish you a
joyous, productive and significant 2005.
To schedule a sensational, inspirational live presentation for your next meeting or event,
call "The Strength Coach" at 877-331-7563.
|
|
|
