00:00Hey guys, Denise Salcedo here for Red Carpet Report, and today we're at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons for the 2015 Media Access Awards Celebrating Awareness and Disability and Inclusion in Media and Entertainment.
00:13Hi, how are you doing today?
00:14Amazing, how are you today?
00:15I'm doing great, you look so beautiful.
00:17Thank you so much, it's such an honor to be here.
00:20So, you know, Media Access Awards, what is it like for you personally for the industry to hold events like this, you know, to bring awareness?
00:30It's huge, and I'm incredibly honored to be at such an amazing award show because it's giving recognition to all of those that have been able to help pave the way in society as a whole to bring awareness and, you know, on humanity, on a global forefront, you know, in regards to like RJ Mitty on Breaking Bad, and then we have Ryan Lane on Switch.Birth, we have Marlee Matlin, we have Jamie, we have so many amazing talented actors,
00:57and they're actually being shown in such a beautiful light.
01:02So, for you personally, what was it like, you know, breaking into this industry?
01:07Oh my gosh, there's been times when I've gone out on an audition, and they're like, ooh, okay, you see, well, we thought, I mean, we thought you were just modeling the chair, we didn't know you were actually in a wheelchair.
01:20So, you're not going to be able to be such and such role, and I'm like, oh my God, are you kidding me right now?
01:25But, you know, the reason I've experienced those things is to hopefully help it make it easier for those that come along later, and, yeah, it's all about the journey.
01:33So, when they tell you things like, oh, I thought you were just modeling with a wheelchair, you know, what do you say to that?
01:39You know, I kind of laugh it off, and I'm like, okay, but no, I really do have a spinal cord injury, and I am in a chair, and let's do this, you know, and, yeah, it's an experience.
01:49But, yeah, you kind of just laugh at it, you know, and you just hope that you can educate them so that they can know the next time around, like, hmm, you know, maybe all of those pictures of her on her wheelchair, really, she is in a chair, I don't know.
02:03It's a compliment, too, though, I mean, but in the same sense, it's about shattering the stereotypes and what somebody's predisposition of what someone with a physical challenge or a cognitive condition is supposed to look like.
02:16It's about breaking that stereotype.
02:19So, when doors finally do open for you, you know, what is that like?
02:22I mean, what kind of feeling do you get?
02:24You know what?
02:25It's the ability to make a difference in other people's lives, and there has been amazing opportunities for me.
02:32We had Push Girls, and I have other shows in the talks right now, which I'm really, really grateful for, and I look forward to being able to, you know, put more out there in 2016.
02:41Last question.
02:42What would you say to other actors that have disabilities that want to break into the industry?
02:48My first and foremost best thing is believe it and you can achieve it, and don't give up.
02:56Be persistent and consistent and always come from a place of gratitude.
02:59Perfect.
03:00Well, thank you so much for talking to us today, and I hope you enjoy your day.
03:04I'll see you.
03:04Bye.
03:05Thank you guys for watching our coverage of the 2015 Media Access Awards.
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