Columns The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias Tony Awards ‘Cain’t Say No’ to Ali Stroker Tony Awards ‘Cain’t Say No’ to Ali Stroker by Ed Tobias | June 14, 2019 Share this article: Share article via email Copy article link Rather than hiding from the storm, it’s better to learn to dance in the rain, as I like to say. Ali Stroker, who plays Ado Annie in the Broadway revival of the musical “Oklahoma,” has learned to dance in a wheelchair. She was recognized this week at the Tony AwardsĀ for her role in “Oklahoma.” The word “inspiration” doesn’t do justice to her award ceremony performance of the iconic song “I Cain’t Say No” from the Broadway revival. The Tonys are given by the theater industry to shows and performers; the one given to Stroker this year was truly exceptional. Stroker lost the use of her legs after a car accident when she was 2 years old. She’s the first person in a wheelchair to be nominated for and to win a Tony. She told the audience that her award, for featured actress in a musical, “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 ā you are.ā In an interview with The New York Times before the awards, Stroker had more words of encouragement for people who use a wheelchair to move around, particularly young people. āIām very aware that when I was a little girl I wasnāt seeing anybody like me, and on days when Iām exhausted or discouraged about something, that lights a fire,ā she said. āI 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 ā that they see what Iām doing and are reassured that anything is possible.ā On the other hand, Stroker notes that to accept her award she had to enter from backstage. There is no ramp access to the stage from the audience, so she couldn’t enter from the seats, as every other winner did. That’s a problem she’ll be working to solve. I have no doubt that with Stroker advocating for it, theater owners just “cain’t” say no to that. You’re invited to follow my personal blog at www.themswire.com. *** Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis. Print This Page About the Author Ed Tobias People say to write what you know and Ed Tobias knows about MS. He's lived with the illness since 1980, when he was 32 years old. Ed's a retired, award-winning broadcast journalist and his column combines his four decades of MS experiences with news and comments about the latest in the MS community. In addition to writing his column, Ed is one of the patient moderators on the MS News Today Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram sites. Heās also the author of āThe Multiple Sclerosis Toolbox: Hints and Tips for Living with M.S.ā Ed and his wife split their time between the Washington, D.C. suburbs and Floridaās Gulf Coast, trying to follow the sun. Tags wheelchair Comments Leave a comment Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published. Your Name Your Email Your Comment Post Comment
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