#axs map

In this blog post, I’m revisiting a video I recorded back in 2009, when I was actively working on both 'When I Walk' and developing AXS Map. During that time, I didn’t have the term “CripTime” to describe it, but I was already capturing how time unfolded differently for me as I navigated my daily spaces. It’s been part of my journey ever since, and I’m excited to share how I’ve been illustrating this concept on video all along, even before I had a name for it.https://youtu.be/TnCDVPunhCs?si=EZSEgXGz8EHYeASS

Support the relaunching of AXS Map today by donating to AXS Lab's fundraiser! Rememeber, every donation of $25 or more and you will get a lovely AXS Rocks t-shirt absolutely free. Share with everyone who wants a more accessible world!

Hi everyone, we are doing a fundraiser for AXS Map, trying to iterate and get the awareness out about the importance of AXS Map. We have been reaching out to disability organizations around New York and around the US - if you are aware of any that would be interested in sharing the word, please do pass it on. Our fundraiser is at this link: https://www.facebook.com/donate/2011021792306866/?fundraiser_source=external_url

Last week, I gave a talk at the US Embassy in New York City. It was on AXS Map to a selected Chinese delegation who were looking at disability, accessibility, and special education in North America. I was able to share all about AXS Map. However, because Google is blocked in China AXS MAP, which uses Google Places API would be blocked as well. The presentation and the sharing between the Chinese delegation of NGO’s from different Chinese provinces and myself was exciting, but the news that AXS Map cannot be used there in the current political climate in China is ridiculous. They’re preventing people with and without disabilities from getting critical information that could help them better their lives and the lives of many around them for decades to come. So I say, pooh on you China!  

At the end of the night, we waited for the party to clear up. I had two of my great New York friends help me down the wicked stairs. I ran into Rachel Chanoff and told her my story about not being able to get up stairs and she apologized and said she would bring this up at the next Sundance meeting. It’s not like this individual incident discourages me, it’s just that inclusion for people of all kinds is not being met. As I said before, I am trying to do something and make the world I live in a better place. That way, the future can be for others like me people with disabilities who want to be artists can enjoy the party of life. These “walks” up and down the stairs are for you.

Two days ago I found myself in yet another compromising situation. As a filmmaker who has been nominated at Sundance a couple of times and won an Emmy award, I thought that at least the event planners from my own industry would have a better idea about accessibility. This has happened to me 4 times through Sundance. Accessibility at Sundance is like oil and water a lot of the times. I’ve been carried up flights of stairs just for a stupid film party. Being carried up stairs for a script reading is ridiculous. But what am I supposed to do? I want to continue to do what I love to do. And these are steps to take, these are my steps to take (pardon the pun)

Every day beneath my eyelids, I can imagine the world slowing down to a pace of which I once had.  I remember light the reflecting off the water, passing by me, time just standing still.  I remember the days of being younger. Now it just feels like it moves to fast.  More then anything, all I would like to do is sit below a willow tree and kiss and hold her hand while watching the cloud dotted sky above.  Why does everything have to be so fast?  I wish it wasn’t.  I wish that things would move a snail’s pace so I could enjoy them, enjoy my time with her, enjoy the world.  I think that the speed of this body breaking down is getting to my head.  It makes me feel like I need to do everything as fast as I can.  I just want to slow down, take a deep breath and hold hands under a willow tree.