Individual Artist Project Grant FY21

This book will help, ultimately, to spread the concept of Disability Pride - that disability is a natural part of the human experience and not inherently negative. I am passionate about this idea and want to see it enter mainstream discourse with my book. I do not believe that disability makes people less valuable or ruins their possibilities at having a happy and meaningful life. It is rather society that needs to work to include all people through embracing and prioritizing accessibility, tolerance, and respect. And since nearly everyone will experience disability to some degree throughout their lifetimes, improving our relationship with the concept of disability can have wide-reaching positive effects. Painting disability as negative detracts from the ways that it can, in fact, provide a much-needed perspective in society. It cannot be denied that my disability has shaped my life in countless ways and thus I honor it as a part of me that cannot be scorned or denied any more than my hair color or family background. I take pride in my disability because, in part, it has brought me to where I am today. I know that not everyone with a disability sees the world the same way, but there is a lively contingent of activists that relate to this concept of Disability Pride. I hope to help promote these ideas by writing my book. I also think my book will provide a positive and encouraging voice for independent musicians. I think it will help foster creativity and inner freedom. I want to have a rough draft of my manuscript completed by October 2021, and ideally have the book published by October 2022. I am trying to accomplish increased visibility for disabled musicians (and just disabled people in general) through this book, and so the broad goal of this project is to spread awareness about disability and start discussions in my community around accessibility in the arts, Disability Pride, and inner freedom that comes from accepting yourself and others. As I said, I already have the complete outline and the first chapter done. I write regularly in my newsletters, to my Patreon Team, and on my blog. I know this is a project I can execute if I have the time set aside for it. I have all the ideas I want to say lined up - now I just have to write them! My rough draft will be completed by October 2021, and then my book will be published in October 2022. I will have opportunities to speak about my book and it will receive distribution in the community. Hopefully there will be book discussions in schools and community gatherings throughout Minnesota and beyond.