E353 - Going off on a million fun tangents about CP and Disability with Dr. Lara Ameen

·1 hr 20 min·5 clips

A disabled woman with cerebral palsy discovers supernatural powers in a club, teaming up with a podcast host to investigate campus disappearances.

This episode of Disability After Dark features host Andrew Gurza in conversation with Dr. Lara Ameen, a disabled writer and academic. Lara introduces herself as someone with cerebral palsy, scoliosis, ADHD, hyperacusis, PTSD, anxiety, and depression, who recently earned a PhD in education with an emphasis in disability studies. Her dissertation involved creating a supernatural drama podcast pilot titled 'All Things Weird and Wonderful', which features a disabled woman with cerebral palsy who discovers supernatural powers. The plot involves her teaming up with a podcast host to investigate mysterious disappearances on their campus. Lara shares her background in writing, including early spec scripts for shows like 'Medium' and 'Community', and her challenges breaking into the entertainment industry due to accessibility barriers, particularly the lack of remote options in writer's rooms. She recounts a pivotal childhood experience where the Starlight Foundation granted her wish to visit the set of 'The Secret World of Alex Mack', leading to a lifelong connection with the show's star, Larisa Oleynik. The conversation delves into personal topics, such as managing chronic constipation related to cerebral palsy, with Andrew sharing his success with a laxative called lactulose. They critique ableist practices in Hollywood, citing examples like Christopher Nolan's reported disdain for bathroom breaks on set. Lara opens up about being bullied by other disabled people during college, including incidents of theft and mockery, which complicates her view of the disability community. The discussion also covers Lara's work as a sensitivity reader, her fanfiction writing inspired by the show 'True Calling', and her aspirations to work with actors like Anna Paquin and Jason Priestley. Andrew promotes Lara's inclusion in an anthology called 'Being Ace' and mentions other authors with cerebral palsy. The episode concludes with practical advice for listeners and an invitation for Lara to return for a segment on disability-themed media reviews.

As heard by us

A frank disability conversation shows why bathroom access has to be part of health advice.

Disability After Dark settles into a plainspoken conversation about bowel care, bathroom access, and the daily logistics that often get left out of disability health advice.

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Why you'd press play

You want a candid disability conversation that follows constipation, lactulose, accidents, and bathroom access wherever they lead.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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