First Disabled Actress Ali Stroker Wins a Tony Award
On Sunday night I tuned into the Tony Awards. Oklahoma performed the number "I Can't Say No." I noticed a woman in a wheelchair playing Ado Annie. I wiped my eyes making sure I was seeing things right and yes I was. I was watching Ali Stroker make history by being the first person to win a Tony Award in a wheelchair. She accepted the award for the best-featured actress. This is amazing because people with disabilities should be able to play parts even if they can't use their legs or have other conditions.
Ali Stoker, a 31-year-old woman from New Jersey who ended up in a wheelchair at the age of two years old from a car accident. She has been active in theater since the age of seven. She was cast as the titular role in a backyard production of Annie.
"This award is for every kid who is watching tonight who has a disability, who has a limitation or a challenge who has been waiting to see themselves represented in this arena -- you are. I hope that for young people in chairs who feel that this is too hard, that they see that being in a chair is like getting a secret key to an unknown door-- that they see what I'm doing and are reassured that anything is possible. "-- Ali Stroker
I think it is amazing our culture is working at not following the stereotype of a role. They aren't fixated on having the look of a person who played the role. For example, with Oklahoma, Ado Annie is usually skinny, big breasts and a blonde.
HER TONY AWARD PERFORMANCE
HER ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
Congratulations Ali Stroker. You are an inspiration.
