Thank you so much to everyone who signed my petition! 

At this point, it doesn't look like New York City Center or anyone involved with the production is going to acknowledge that it is a disability story with a Disabled main character. It's possible that will change, but given that there is a month until the show and the production team and the theater have had a year to say something about this, I'm not holding my breath. 

This is all par for the course when it comes to disability representation. NYCC is unfortunately by no means unique in this. Respectful, authentic disability representation in entertainment remains the exception rather than the rule. 

I wouldn't say I'm disappointed, because I never expected anything different to happen. I did not start this petition because I expected that it would make any quantifiable difference. I started it because I was tired of seeing this happen and no one saying anything about it. And then it occurred to me that I am someone, and even if I'm the person saying something about it, that is still better than no one saying anything.

And now I have the incredibly healing knowledge of knowing 200 people are behind me. That is far more people than I expected to sign. I would have been pleasantly surprised with 100 or 75 or even 50 signatures. 200 is absolutely thrilling.

To other Disabled people out there who aspire to be performers, and to Disabled people who don't aspire to perform but want to see themselves represented authentically and respectfully onstage, I hope the fact that this petition exists and has people supporting it can be an encouragement to you, as it was to me.

Again, thank you so much! I am more grateful to all of you than I can possibly express.

Love,

Alexandra