The night before an airline lost my wheelchair was one of the most memorable of my life. I attended a table read for a movie script I co-wrote with Oscar-winning filmmaker Siân Heder. The script, Being Heumann, tells the story of Judy Heumann and her fight for disability rights, which led to the passage of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This law reframed disability as a societal issue rather than a personal tragedy, paving the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Growing up, I rarely saw positive representations of disability in media. Films like Forrest Gump and Million Dollar Baby portrayed disability in harmful ways. Working on Being Heumann expanded my perspective, helping me see the curb cuts, ramps, and accessible bathrooms as victories won by activists like Judy Heumann. I realized how much my life had been shaped by their efforts, even as I still face inaccessibility and stigma.
During the table read, we performed a scene about Judy being forcibly removed from a plane. The irony was not lost on me when, on my flight home, the airline lost my wheelchair. Without it, I was placed in an airport cart and couldn't use the bathroom for eight hours. The airline never found the wheelchair, and a replacement took three weeks to arrive. This experience highlighted the ongoing struggles disabled travelers face, despite progress made over the years.
Almost a year later, I learned that Apple Studios had greenlit Being Heumann. The studio prioritized authentic disability casting and made the filming process accessible. Watching Ruth Madeley audition for the role of Judy brought me to tears, knowing that younger generations would finally see a story like ours on screen. The film represents both the progress we've made and the work still needed to ensure full inclusion for disabled people.