Disability Pride Parade: A Proud Day

In her seminal 1991 poem "You Get Proud by Practicing," disability-rights activist Laura Hershey offered a guide for people with disabilities to follow, closing with the following words: "Remember, you weren't the one who made you ashamed, but you are the one who can make you proud. Just practice, practice until you get proud, and once you are proud, keep practicing so you won't forget. You get proud by practicing." (Read the complete poem at www.cripcommentary.com)

Collage of Photos from the Disability Pride Parade

The 2004 Inaugural Disability Pride Parade drew an estimated 1,500 people with and without disabilities to Chicago's Museum Campus on a beautiful Sunday morning in July. People traveled from at least six different states and Canada to participate in a march and rally that organizers hope will become an annual event in Chicago. Equip for Equality was one of the 60 co-sponsors of the parade, and our contingent of 15 people was decked out in matching t-shirts. A post-parade celebration was held next to Soldier Field, featuring musicians, poets and speakers. Parade Planning Co-Chair Sarah Triano stated that one of the goals of the parade was to "define Disability as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity." EFE President and CEO Zena Naiditch states that the parade "is an important event that over time holds out the promise of further uniting the disability community and making joint action possible. We also hope it will change how people think about people with disabilities and give people labeled 'disabled' a chance to join together and feel good about themselves and the disability rights movement."

Subscribe to the Equalizer | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use