A disability support program between two friends in wheelchairs discussing their daily lives and critiquing depictions of the crippled experience in popular culture.
This week we talk about The Girl in The Picture, a true crime documentary with barely any connection to disability according to Tony. We also discuss the complications of breathing with SMA, our routines for cleaning power chairs, and long road trips in Northwestern Ontario. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna, Riley Byrne, Andrew Gurza and cjoudas. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched an episode of House where the eponymous doctor fails to treat a man with SMA. We also talk about disposing of old mobility devices, the menace of Canadian geese, using disability as a plot device for diagnostic mystery, and some rules for recognizing bad dialogue. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna, Riley Byrne, Andrew Gurza and cjoudas. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched Liar Liar, a film where Jim Carrey is dubiously disabled because he plays a lawyer who suddenly cannot lie, and is therefore unable to function. We also discuss being stranded in the rain with a power chair, the risk of running over a tube of toothpaste, and times we've accidentally injured ourselves under absurd circumstances. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna, Riley Byrne, Andrew Gurza and cjoudas. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched an episode of BBC Extras where Ricky Gervais meets (and reacts poorly to) the sibling of an acting colleague with cerebral palsy. We also discuss the appealing horror elements of Stranger Things, Tony's ongoing friendship with a sommelier, the rarity of good cringe humour involving disability, the dueling impulses of many high profile comedians, and buying new bed sheets. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna, Riley Byrne, Andrew Gurza and cjoudas. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched Morbius, a bad vampire movie in which Jared Leto fails to walk with forearm crutches. We also talk about the timber of Tony's voice, what it means to be busy with a disability, the hackneyed motivations of fictional wheelie characters, and riding in golf carts. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna, Riley Byrne, Andrew Gurza and cjoudas. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched Benny & Joon, a whimsical comedy about a mentally ill young woman who pursues Johnny Depp while her brother resists the pressure to place her in a group home. We also discuss coping mechanisms for insomnia, the able bodied misconception that disability is reprieve from responsibility, Jamie destroying his mother's kitchen floor, and the utter cruelty of tickling a wheelie. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna, Riley Byrne, Andrew Gurza and cjoudas. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we chat with California based psychotherapist and fellow wheelie Mike MacLafferty (@archetypal_wellness) about The Princess Bride, a charming and essential comedy about a heroic farmboy who fights to rescue his true love from an evil king, all while spending much of the film in a state of significant paralysis. We also talk about how our disabilities inform and enhance our day jobs, being left alone during complex transfers, self-consciousness on the dance floor, the rarity of physical comedy involving disabled characters, and the benefits of 7-foot attendants. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna, Riley Byrne, Andrew Gurza and cjoudas. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched World Record, a short film about a competing Olympic sprinter who pushes his body to the point of disability and escapes the Matrix. We also daydream about starting our own wheelie uber, and about becoming disabled Neo. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna, Riley Byrne, Andrew Gurza and cjoudas. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched Ian, a short film about a young boy with cerebral palsy who longs to play with his peers during recess. We also discuss the inaccessibility of comedy clubs, times we got detention in primary school, Tony's career as a milkman, expensive robot vacuums, and cheese theft. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna, Riley Byrne, Andrew Gurza and cjoudas. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today Tony interviews Jamie's mom for Mother's Day. With a list of questions from our Power Chair Patrons in hand, they talk about raising children with disabilities, travelling, movies, and cheesecake recipes. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna, Riley Byrne, Andrew Gurza and cjoudas. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched Joaquin Phoenix in an admittedly good biopic about a comic illustrator with an acquired disability called Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot. We also discuss childhood home videos, the fiscal trap of disability support programs, disrespectful power chair technicians, the rarity of physical stuntwork in wheelie movies, and our favourite teachers in highschool. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna, Riley Byrne, Andrew Gurza and cjoudas. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched The Butterfly Effect, an embarrassing puzzle film with Ashton Kutcher that invokes every offensive disabled stereotype in the worst way possible. We also talk about house visits from veterinarians, the fine motor inaccessibility of Sonic games, Jamie's fear of living independently again, and the challenges of grabbing granola bars with bad prosthetics. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna, Riley Byrne, Andrew Gurza and cjoudas. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we are joined by hilarious fellow podcaster / comedian Jessica Coyle to discuss "Mommy Dead and Dearest", a true crime documentary about a psychopathic mom who convinces everyone that her daughter is disabled for nearly two decades. We also talk about our favourite comedians, the tenants of good improv, Jessica's impressive array of voices, the prevalence of helicopter wheelie parents, the persuasive power of performed disability, effective pickup lines for Tony, and Jamie's resentment of winter cardio. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna, Riley Byrne, and Catherine Jewett. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we chat with activist and musician Gift Tshuma about a variety of fun topics, including: strategies for disabled travel, setting proper boundaries and care standards with new attendants, the value of keeping one's disability diagnosis private, and how to navigate invasive able bodied curiosity on first dates. Get in touch with Gift on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram ! A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna & Riley Byrne. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched Frank, a film about a talented musician that chronically covers his face with a paper mache mask. We also discuss how to maintain boundaries when addressing disability with new friends, the fun of watching non-wheelie movies through a disabled lens, Tony getting concussed in gym class, how to make jokes at a funeral, and befriending our student support people in highschool. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna & Riley Byrne. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched The Dress, a harrowing short film about a motel maid with dwarfism who goes on a bad date with a client. We also discuss bad accessible bathroom solutions, disabled dating show ideas, and how to identify badly written wheelie grief. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna & Riley Byrne. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched Forgive Us our Trespasses, a short film about a young boy with a prosthetic arm who runs from a Nazi officer hunting down disabled people in pre-war Germany. We also discuss our remedies for low moods, differences in our social lives growing up, and the importance of banality in the villains of disabled stories. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna & Riley Byrne. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today Tony made Jamie watch sports, specifically a half dozen events from Paralympics 2022. We also discuss attendants with bad boundaries, Jamie's praise for the latest Spiderman, the significance of inclusive competition, and Being Tony Soprano. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna & Riley Byrne. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched an episode of the Simpsons where Homer becomes disabled to get permission to work from home. We also discuss the pressure on wheelies to create their own accessible spaces, what makes long-running comedies timeless, and our ongoing frustration with "disabled costumes". A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna & Riley Byrne. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched San Junpero, a single episode of the anthology Black Mirror, where a quadriplegic wheelie falls in love inside a VR simulation of 1980s nightlife. We also discuss Tony's childhood painting career, disabled roommate challenges in university, and our frustrations with fictional portraits of crippled romantic inexperience. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna & Riley Byrne. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched You're Not You, a by-the-numbers wheelie movie where Hilary Swank is diagnosed with ALS and befriends a dysfunctional young attendant who aids her through the ensuing health and marital troubles. We also discuss the tenets of a thorough assisted shower, the conspicuous absence of disabled life gurus, and the annoying Hollywood assumption that disabled lives are sexless and unproductive. A special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna & Riley Byrne. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we were joined by writer, poet, and fellow podcast host George Parker to discuss the first season of The Witcher. We discuss the implication of asking disabled people how they are doing, magical disabilities, and the pros and cons of having Donald Trump sit on your face daily. You can check out George's work at www.agparker.co.uk Also, a special thanks to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna & Riley Byrne. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched Murderball, a documentary about two rival Paralympic rugby teams that use weaponized wheelchairs out of mad max. We also discuss our unfinished master's degrees, Tony's floor hockey league, the ongoing novelty of disabled parents, and Jamie's problem with the Jackass crew. Thank you to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna & Riley Byrne. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched a handful of episodes from Frasier and saw plenty of ableism in the treatment of the series' patriarch, Martin Crane. We also discussed the impact of the freedom convoy on Tony's morning care routine, our mutual indifference toward scrambled eggs, Jamie's fear of judgemental physiotherapists, and the compromise between aesthetics and accessibility in disabled living spaces. Thank you to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh, Kyle Hanna & Riley Byrne. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched the classic Disney film Pinnochio, about a paternal Toymaker whose puppet comes to life and embarks upon a dark and harrowing quest to become a real boy. We also take about Tony's appetite for adrenaline, our mutual disdain for disabled exceptionalism, and the toll of imposter syndrome. Thank you to our Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming, Meghan Walsh & Kyle Hanna. We love you more than friends. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched Avatar, the famous James Cameron film about a wheelie who infiltrates a tribe on an alien planet to help them overcome a mineral-hungry human militia. Despite its unmatched visual splendor and excellent action set-pieces, the film devotes minimal imagination to its disabled elements. We also discuss Jamie's booster-shot experience, Tony's fascinating discussion with a neurologist, and the perceived hardships of Being Paul Giamatti. Thank you to our first Power Chair Patrons: Michael Cumming and Meghan Walsh Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched The Upside, a very popular disability film (adapted from a superior french version) about a recently paralyzed investor who hires an ex-convict as a "life auxiliary". Despite some elements of tired melodrama, the film is saved by a believable bromance, deft humour, and a painfully resonant moment of rejection. We also discuss our restful holidays, the perils of parental attendants, and when to introduce ramps to a new relationship. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched Zoolander, a seminal wheelie film about an aging male model who can't turn left, and who gets embroiled in a plot to prevent the enforcement of child labor laws. We also discuss why Hansel is so hot right now, Tony's inability to turn his neck left, and how Jamie doesn't know where left is due to a terrifically poor sense of direction. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today Tony and I watched I Am Sam, the infamous film about a developmentally disabled father who has to fight for custody of his daughter and defend his competency as a parent. We also discuss the phonetic weirdness of our last names, Jamie's dad's construction of a tandem bike, the absence of good modern parody movies, and that uncomfortable feeling when a "bad" film succeeds at emotional manipulation. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we revisited the 2020 movie Best Summer Ever with star Emily Kranking. We discussed acting with a disability, the rising importance of authentic casting, and accessibility struggles of high school. You can follow Emily @emilykranking Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame, a visual treat with a lazy romantic component and forgettable songs. We also talk about Tony singing in the shower, powerchair stigma, scoliosis pain, and making friends in your thirties. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched 39 Pounds of Love, a feel good film about a skinny wheelie with spinal muscular atrophy who journey's across America to confront the doctor that gave him a dire prognosis. We also discuss the dangers of outdated attendant phones, disdain for the "use it or lose it mentality", the terrible trope of unrequited cripple love, and Jamie's unlikely befriending of Dwayne Johnson. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched a deeply offensive short film about a neglected wheelie who gets rejected 3 times and decides to self immolate. We also discuss Tony's ongoing cottage saga, Jamie's dubious usage of straws, rom coms with broken male leads, and how not to subvert cripple sentiment. Shoutout to @4moonscounseling for recommending the film! Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched Rear Window, a classic Hitchcock film about a disabled peeping-tom who witnesses a murder and enlists his wife and attendant to conduct an investigation. We also discuss Tony's bite therapy regiment, how to identify constructive pain, living vicariously through able bodied lives, disability as an allegory for impending commitment, and the ways we've overcompensated as a disabled partner. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched Misery, a thriller about a lonely nurse who holds an author captive after a crippling car accident and forces him to re-write his latest manuscript. As well, we discuss Jamie's anxieties over food prep, the challenge of maintaining privacy in attendant care environments, the dangers of powerchair floor hockey, and a defense of Kathy Bates. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we review Best Summer Ever, a Grease-inspired teen musical with a cast of wheelies that forced us more than any other film so far to confront our ableism. Also, we discuss the potential perks of disabled space travel, the circus of getting a photo ID with a headrest, going clothes shopping without an attendant, and the shock of seeing disabled characters in "unlikely" occupations. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we have a heated debate about whether the consistent hilarity of Come As You Are is enough to forgive its faults. Also we talk about Canadian Thanksgiving, portion control, eating on a first date, and Louis Theroux documentaries.
Today we watched CODA, a wonderful film about a teenage daughter trying to explain her passion for singing to her deaf parents. We also discuss the disabled penchant for tolerating inconvenience, generational differences in coping mechanisms, caregivers losing housekeys, and how to break-in new powerchair joysticks.
Today we watched The Mask, a formative childhood film for both of us about a MacGuffin that makes Jim Carrey behave like a horny alcoholic cartoon. Also we talk about bringing wheelchairs to cottages, spastic dental encounters, dismantling nostalgia, and letting go of harmful inhibitions.
Today we watched Gattaca, a sci-fi film about a disabled guy who slavishly collects his own dead skin so that Ethan Hawke can fool a eugenic regime and go to space. We also discuss SMA seminars, rude people in restaurants, orthopedic torture devices, unsolicited selfies, and the importance of dry controllers.
Today we reviewed The Peanut Butter Falcon, a fantastic buddy-comedy roadtrip film about a young man with downs syndrome who escapes his care-home facility with a fisherman friend to pursue a prospective career in wrestling. Throughout the episode, we discuss the joys of authentic inter-abled comradery on film, growing up with disabled siblings, the potential of video games to convey disabled experiences, and Jamie's closeted obsession with wordplay. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we review an episode of the American Office where Michael Scott burns his foot and demands to be treated like a disabled person. We also discuss pet ownership with a disability, and have a fruitfully uncomfortable discussion about personal hygiene.
On today's episode, Jamie elaborates on a recent video that made him and his Thunder Bay friend's go viral. We also review the second half of special season 2, where Jamie finally pronounces Ryan O'Connel's name correctly, and begins to warm up to the show for its latent. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched disabled writer Ryan O'Connell continue to navigate the romantic and professional hurdles of daily life with cerebral palsy in the first half of Special Season 2. Again the show proves to be the most authentic, funny, and unflinching look at disabled life - so much so that it often feels too real, and provokes many of Jamie's personal demons. Throughout the episode, we discuss the wheelie temptation to downplay our limitations, the tendency to settle for unhealthy boundaries in romantic relationships, whether its ever okay to fetishize unflattering elements of disability, and the ongoing struggle of discussing disability with our parents. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched The Shape of Water, a 2017 adult fairytale about a mute janitor who falls in love with an anthropomorphized fish creature at a top secret government facility. As the first film we watched separately, we spend much of the episode parsing differences of opinion. We also discuss weekly insomnia, Jamie's first sauna experience, the hurdles of inter-able relationships, the absence of libidos in modern movies, and optimal strategies for flooding the bathroom. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched The Little Mermaid, a classic Disney animated film about a half-woman sea creature who dreams of having legs so she can live on land and pursue a romance with a himbo prince. Throughout the episode we discuss Anthony's DIY powerchair projects, the herculean work-ethic of disney animators, our hypothetical collections of able-bodied trinkets, whether life is better under the sea, and the lack of inter-able love stories. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
Today we watched Cake, an excellent character study of a grieving mother with severe chronic pain played amazingly by Jennifer Aniston. We also discuss our real life encounters with ablest slurs, the threat of accessibility to able bodied pride, the struggles of cripple baking, the stress of a shy bladder, and also Tony tricks Jamie into describing his bathroom for 20 minutes.
Today we watched Denzel Washington play a bedridden wheelie detective in the murder thriller The Bone Collector. Despite a few cringe cripple jokes and questionable parallels to Hannibal Lector, the film contains an element of rare disabled power fantasy that is worth examining. We also discuss the merits of pureed burgers, abstaining from care for sake of politeness, the wrecklessness of walking backwards, and knuckle rubbing.
Today we watched Edward Scissorhands, an early Tim Burton film about a young man with scary scissors for hands that turns out to be a surprisingly heartfelt and progressive portrait of disability. We also discuss the joys of creating DIY accessibility solutions, the stress of dressing a disabled body, how to overcome complacency with inaccessible spaces, common ableist assumptions about cripple finances, and how to hug a wheelie.
Today we watched five feet apart, a chronic illness drama about two teens with cystic fibrosis who fall in love during a long term stay at a sick kids hospital. Through this film we tackle the trope of disability as a romantic obstacle, which despite being a frustrating literary device is still extremely resonant for disabled people in reality. Also, we talk about the challenges of explaining disability to strangers (especially children), the unfounded embarrassments of feeding tubes, the over-romanticization of inaccessible tourism, and how to spot unhealthy disabled dating opportunities.
Today we watched an annoying Nick Kroll film called My Blind Brother, where a woman farcically concedes to dating a disabled guy as a "hilarious" form of penance and self-punishment. Also, we talk about leaving our wheelie comfort zones, what makes a good stoner comedy, bad table manners, and ideas for projecting Tony's voice in busy public spaces. Find out more at http://cripplethreatpodcast.com
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