The Traveling Wheelchair

Carrie Mulderink
Illinois
wcw2@comcast.net

Carrie Mulderink, an 18 year old girl with Cerebral Palsy, from the State of Illinois wrote a play for her Creative Writing class about various experiences of discrimination that she’s experienced throughout her life, just because of her disability. Mr. Glen Brown, Carrie’s Creative Writing teacher suggested that Carrie contact Kenny & co and Carrie is very grateful that he suggested she share her play with others.

Carrie’s play is titled: “Obama declares we are crippled no more”. Carrie’s play offers a solution on how to remove the stigmas that exist and stop all discrimination of disabled persons. Her hope is to pave a better future for children and teens with disabilities so that they don’t have to face what she and many disabled persons have faced.

In Carrie’s play, she speaks about an “Ability Studies” class that she would like to be mandated in all elementary schools. In this class, young students would learn about all kinds of disabilities and learn about the abilities of persons with disabilities. Children would also learn how to treat persons with disability with respect, understanding and sensitivity.  Carrie believes as I do that many persons discriminate and treat us differently simply due to a lack of education and awareness of disability.

Carrie hopes that President – elect Barack Obama will embrace her idea and implement an “Ability Studies” course throughout every school in the United States, which will help to remove stigmas, end discrimination, remove barriers and promote equal opportunity for persons with disabilities. I think Carrie’s idea of including an “Abilities Study” course in the curriculum of schools throughout the US is a brilliant idea and is why Kenny & co has agreed to support and promote Carrie’s idea. 

Please take the time to read Carrie’s Play, “Obama declares we are crippled no more” which is published below.

And if you agree that Carrie’s plan for “Ability Studies” will help to remove all future stigmas and stop discrimination against disabled persons, then please contact President – elect Barack Obama’s Transition Team and ask them to arrange a meeting for Carrie Mulderink to personally tell President - elect Barack Obama of her idea. President-elect Barack Obama’s Presidential Transition Team can me contacted at http://www.change.gov/page/s/contact and Carrie can be contacted via email at wcw2@comcast.net.

Enjoy the Play!

Kenny & co

———————-

“Obama declares we are crippled no more”.

By: Carrie Mulderink

Characters:

Barack Obama- U.S. Senator from Illinois who became the 44th President of the U.S. and the first African-American to hold this position. He speaks eloquently and connects with middle-class Americans at ease.

Mary- She was a quiet, sweet girl but not very bright and easily confused. Since people know that she is unusually slow, they took advantage of her and made Mary pull pranks on people that they are too scared to follow through with themselves.

Kate- Loud and obnoxious, Kate thinks that she is better than everyone else, and she believes that she has the right to harass people who she perceives as less than her.

Michael- A rude and close-minded boy with an English accent.

Tom- The ultimate troublemaker at Carrie’s elementary school, he was always rude and obnoxious. He enjoyed making fun of others who were “different.”

Steve- Carrie’s older brother. He always acted in a very shy way. Steve did not like to speak about his emotions. However, his outspoken side came out when he saw someone being mean to his little sister.

Carrie- Usually a friendly and outgoing girl, but she is often shunned and harassed by peers, solely because of her physical disability.

Katherine- A friendly girl who stood up for herself and others who she thinks experience mistreatment.

Megan- A mean girl who thought that she is better than everyone else.

Setting- White House in Washington D.C; Amish Acres in Wisconsin, An Illinois middle school, high school convention, Carrie’s home

Act 1

Stage Directions: A little Carrie enters the playground with her older brother Steve, holding her walker tightly. She starts to walk, slowly and wobbly, towards the slide. A young boy soon appears.

Michael: Hey, my name is Michael. I can walk, and you can’t! Ha ha!

Carrie: Leave me alone! I can do anything I want just fine.

Michael: No, you can’t! You are stupid and will never be able to do anything by yourself!

Carrie: Well, I don’t care what you say. All I know is that you are the meanest little boy in the whole wide world!

Michael: I don’t care. I will always be better off than you. You will be crippled for life!

Carrie: Maybe I will be crippled, but I will never be as mean as you!

Michael: I don’t care if I am mean!

Stage Directions: Steve pulls at her arm.

Steve: Come on, Carrie let’s get away from him.

Carrie: Good idea. I don’t want to meet a mean little boy like him ever again!

Steve: I hope you don’t. I will push you on the tire swing if you want.

Carrie: Sure! That will be fun!

Stage Directions: Steve leads her over to the swing and puts her on. After a few minutes, Michael dashes towards them.

Michael: I want to swing, too!

Steve: You can’t, because you were mean to Carrie, my sister, today.

Michael: I still want to ride!

Steve: Okay, fine. You must sit in the middle all alone though. I won’t let you sit by my sister. You were too mean.

Stage Directions: Michael creeps on without saying a word and rides for a few minutes.

Michael: My mother is here to pick me up. Bye, crippled girl!

Stage Directions: Steve exits with Carrie right after.

Act 2

Stage Directions: Carrie climbs on to her adapted, 3-wheel bike and starts riding around the school.

Carrie: Look, Mom. Look, Dad. I am finally riding a bike. Just like everyone else!

Stage Directions: Tom interrupts Carrie’s special day.

Tom: Carrie, that bike looks so retarded, just like you are!

Carrie: This is the only way I can ride a bike, so this is fine for me.

Tom: It makes you look so stupid! It is such a big and ugly bike! I can’t believe you would ride a piece of trash like that.

Carrie: It is not garbage! It was very expensive and really means a lot to me.

Tom: I don’t care at all. You are riding on a three wheeler, just like a little kid. (Yells out to everyone while pointing at Carrie) Hey guys! Do you all see this stupid, babyish bike; I mean tricycle, which Carrie rides? She must be retarded! She shouldn’t be in our class! (laughs loudly)

Stage Directions: Carrie had enough and walked into the school to call her brother. The phone rings for a few seconds.

Steve- Hello?

Carrie: Steve, I can’t take these stupid kids anymore! They are so mean about this whole disability thing, and I don’t understand why. I can’t help the way I am.

Steve: Carrie, all these immature kids don’t know what they are talking about. You can’t listen to them. I’ll go set this Tom kid straight! I am on my way over to that school right now!

Stage Directions: Carrie waits inside, impatiently limping back and forth, for her brother to arrive. Steve soon pulls up and races out of his car to find Tom.

Steve: (Grabbing Tom’s arm and looking him straight in the eye.) I heard what you did to my sister. That is not the right way to treat people. You better straighten out or else you will get it from me.

Tom: I don’t care. I love making fun of these crazy cripples, and I know that I can take you down.

Steve: Tom, you don’t want to mess with me. You’ll see what I can do!

Stage Directions: A moment of silence, then Steve begins to walk out with his arm around Carrie.

Steve: Carrie, do you feel better now?

Carrie. Yes, you are a good big brother.

Steve: Thanks, you are a good little sister. I am glad that I can help you take care of some of these mean people.

Act 3

Stage Directions- The eighth grade World War 2 overnight was just wrapping up, and the teachers had planned to take the entire class out on the field for a jog. However, clouds overflowed the once bright sky, and rain was pouring down like a waterfall. The teachers now contemplated about whether they should still take their classes to run outside. Carrie stood quietly next to the back door, waiting for the final word. Suddenly Mary, a girl that Carrie barely knew, flew as fast as and eagle towards her.

Mary: Carrie, Ms. Smith wants to talk with you outside. (Very serious tone)

Carrie: She wants to talk to me… outside…? (Confused tone)

Mary: Yes, outside.

Carrie: Ms. Smith! Ms. Smith! Where are you? (Yelling and pounding hard on door then a few seconds of silence.)

Kate: (Giggles, standing next to Mary on the other side of the door) You shouldn’t have been asked out, since you are a cripple! I can’t believe that Jacob would be so stupid. I mean, he is going out with you, and you are a cripple. Being a cripple makes you nothing. You should be referred to as an “it” not “she.” I hope that you freeze to death out there.

Carrie: What the heck are you guys talking about! Are… you telling me… that my wheelchair… deprives me of basic human rights…, such as having friends or a boyfriend? (voice quivers as tears roll down her face like a rainstorm)

Kate: Of course, Carrie. No one wants to be friends with a cripple! Everyone hates cripples! You cripples are insane and should be locked up for life!

Stage Directions- Carrie holds her face in her hands and falls to the ground unable to hold her body up any longer.

Act 4

Stage Directions: Several friends race together down a city street while on a school trip.

Megan: Globe staffers, listen up! Let’s all spend the afternoon downtown. I am tired of listening to all of these boring sessions.

Katherine: That sounds like fun! Let me call Carrie and ask her if she would like to come, too.

Stage Directions: All the girls frown at each other.

Megan: No, Katherine! Carrie definitely can’t come. We don’t want to deal with the wheelchair! It causes too much hassle. We should just not invite her. We will all have so much more fun if she isn’t there.

Katherine: Why can’t I invite her? The trains, restaurants, and stores have to be accessible by law.

Megan: No, Carrie can’t come!

Katherine: Do you not like her?

Megan: Yes! I hate her! Being in a wheelchair automatically makes her a bad person and someone who everyone should avoid.

Katherine: Guys, I think that is a very mean way to think.

Megan: No, Katherine. It’s not! You are the one who is crazy! You like hanging out with a wheelchair person like Carrie. Who would want to do that? It’s so lame.

Katherine: Seriously, I am not tolerating this unfairness anymore! You either let me invite Carrie, or I will not come downtown with you.

Megan: Okay, fine. Invite the slut.

Stage Directions: On the train ride downtown, no one talks to Carrie. She tries to make conversation, but they ignore the attempts, turning their backs to her. Katherine eventually sits down next to Carrie.

Katherine (whispering): You will never believe what these girls said about you earlier. It upset me so much. I know it will upset you too, but I think you should know what they were saying about you.

Carrie (whispering): What did they say?

Katherine (whispering): They said that they will never hang out with you. You are too much of a hassle to have around. You mean nothing them, since you use a wheelchair. They told me to have fun today with that little friend of yours, Carrie. They don’t know why I would ever want to hang out with a wheelchair person! They also said, just in case you haven’t figured out already, cripples can’t go to dances, so we won’t be seen with you at the dance tonight if you are with Carrie! Being a cripple makes her an ugly monster!

Carrie: What did I ever do to make them hate me so much?

Katherine: I asked them the same thing, too. They said you became a cripple, so that’s why they loathe you so much.

Carrie: I didn’t become one. I have always been one.

Katherine: That’s what I said to them. Then they told me that your parents must have done something horrible in their lives to be given a crazy cripple like you.

Stage Directions: Carrie sits quietly, shaking and crying harder than she ever has in her life as she thinks about what will happen that afternoon. Feelings of isolation and rejection form a dark cloud over her head as her peers deny Carrie basic human rights, such as friendship, once more.

Act 5

Stage Directions- Carrie lets herself into the house after arriving back home. She doesn’t even muster a word.

Mom: Carrie, you just don’t seem like yourself. Did anything happen on the trip to make you so sullen?

Carrie: No Mom, no. Just get out of my face and leave me alone! Now!

Stage Directions: Carrie limps into the living room as fast as she can and plops down by the T.V.

Barack Obama: I am running for the President of the United States of America, and I hope to improve the quality of life for everyone, including people with disabilities. I learned about living with a disability from my wife, Michelle, whose father struggled with one while trying to raise a family. He always was on time to work, even if it meant waking up 3 hours earlier than everyone else. Many people with disabilities are hard working but need some help to overcome the barriers that society places on them. I will fight with them, just like I did while serving as a civil rights lawyer in Chicago. I will provide incentives for companies to hire more disabled workers, and I will make sure more Federal employees with disabilities are hired.

Carrie: Steve, come here!

Stage Directions: Carrie is beaming and can’t sit still as her brother comes in. She is so antsy that she does a wheelie in her chair.

Steve: What is it, Carrie?

Carrie: Finally, there is a politician that understands what millions of Americans across the country with disabilities are going through, and he wants to help! Maybe he would support her idea of implementing an Ability Studies course. I have to get to his Springfield office as soon as possible!

Steve: I am so happy! Let’s go right now!

Stage Directions- Carrie’s mind races throughout the long drive down to Springfield. Carrie knocks loudly on Senator Obama’s door.

Barack Obama: Good morning, what can I do for you (shakes her hand)

Carrie: I am an 18 year old with a disability, and I think there is a great way that you can change many people’s perceptions while serving as President of the United States.

Barack Obama: I definitely would love to do just that, Carrie. Come on in for awhile, and we can talk.

Narrator: Carrie wheeled in to a small bare room with a small couch and a table and 2 chairs.

Barack Obama (sat down across from Carrie): So Carrie, what is your idea?

Carrie: Senator, on many occasions my peers have been very cruel to me as a result of my disability. I feel that some of this cruelty stems from ignorance. They just don’t understand anything about disabilities. If we made a law that they had to be educated about these important topics in an “Ability Studies” course, we would be much better off. I have a written out plan for the class, if you would like a copy. (hands Barack a paper.)

Stage Directions: The room fills with silence for a few minutes as Barack winces and nods his head while reading the paper.

Barack Obama: Carrie, this is such an amazing idea! I admire you a lot for trying to take initiative and taking advantage of your rights as a U.S. citizen. We will get this done as soon as possible, and you will be given credit for the results. Let’s meet again next week. Together, we will change America.

Carrie: Thanks, Senator. (shakes hands, exits.)

Act 6

Stage Directions: Obama stands in front of the White House holding up a framed document and the American flag.

Barack Obama: Now, I would like to introduce you to Carrie Mulderink, the backbone of this historic milestone in disability history. She is now the Martin Luther King of the disability rights movement. I’ll turn it over to her and let her explain this great new mandate further.

Stage Directions: Carrie walks to podium, shakes Obama’s hand. Obama hands her a document and the American flag.

Carrie: Thank you, President Obama. It is an honor to stand here today, representing centuries of great work by disability advocates across the United States. With this law, I hope that eventually children in wheelchairs will be able to go to school and take part in the community without worrying about getting knocked down by the barriers that their own peers throw in their way. This class will help us turn that dream into a reality. Children will finally learn about the nature of disabilities and how one should be treated with them. From experience, some children are just plain mean, but many are ignorant. They don’t know anything about disabilities, so they act rudely, because they are nervous. This will end with the institution of this class. The United States of America will be changed forever! I also want to take this time to thank the President of the United States, Mr. Barack Obama. He has worked with me on this change from day one. I know that he cares deeply about the disability community, and today he is celebrating our victory with us.

Stage Directions- Carrie limps over to Barack Obama. They briefly hug before leaving the stage together.