I HEAR A VOICE - THE 1990's DISABILITY PROTEST

Our acknowledgement to Eileen Grubba for providing this article.

In 1990, in Washington DC, to symbolise the barriers confronting disabled people, more than 60 activists abandoned their crutches, wheelchairs, power chairs and other mobility aids and began crawling up the 83 stone steps that lead to the capitol.

A group of handicapped people led by 8-year-old Jennifer Keelan, left, crawl up the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, March 12, 1990, to draw support for a key bill now pending in the House that would extend civil rights to disabled persons. The group of about 1,000 people or rode in wheelchairs down Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to the Capitol. (AP Photo/Jeff Markowitz)

News media recorded Jennifer keelan, an 8 year old with cerebral palsy, declaring, “I’ll take all night if I have to” as she pulled herself up on hands and arms.

The J Band

And now, 28 years later, a song has been written to incorporate her struggles.

Listen here

Eileen Grubba

“I LOVE that they are giving Jen Keelen a voice again! Humanity still has a LONG way to go to INCLUDE all differences. We can make this happen faster if everyone makes an effort! #ALLin“