PRIDE

The First Annual Disability Pride Parade took place in NYC on Saturday. It was hot as blazes but scores of people of every degree of ability walked and rolled in support of better access, greater resources, and louder voices.

I like to think that "Pride" stands not only for a refusal to be ashamed or silent about disability, but as with a pride of lions, a family of people of all ages and strengths looking out for each other.  And as there isn't a single one of us that will escape needing to be cared for at some point in our lives, it behooves us all to protect our pride when we are best able to do so.

Extreme Kids was out in full effect, wisely outfitted with colorful parasols. 

Hilt Projects contributed cut-out signage.  Thanks Sam!

Extreme Kids founder Eliza and Director Caitlin

Felix came all the way down from New Hampshire to participate

Maeve and her dad waiting for the parade to get going

The parasols were key to keeping cool

Spray bottles helped too

Ready to roll

The parade was in honor of the 25th Anniversary if the Americans with Disabilities Act

The homemade signs were bold...

...And seriously on point

It was a pretty inspiring scene

These two were in training as service dogs

Love the ears!

So many different groups were represented

Voices were heard in so many different ways

Many different languages were spoken

SAG-AFTRA (the actors unions) represented (shout out to my dad!)

The heat necessitated some breaks

And then on we marched

The march ended in Union Square

Eliza, Felix, Happy

Eliza and her muse

Abby

I wish I knew this little girls name!!

Extreme Kids and CREW!