FANDOM: Find Your People
I am a semi-nerdy/geeky girl. I like pop culture, random trivia, and other cultures. I have studied brain anatomy, wheelchairs, computers, and all kinds of assistive technologies. I can practically recite “The Princess Bride” and act out scenes from “Young Frankenstein” …. “Put ze candle back!” Although I’m not completely immersed in my fandoms, I consider myself a Firefly Browncoat and a Whovian. When things are good, they are “Shiny, Captain!” I love it when River Song says, “Hello Sweetie” and have actually said “Oh, you clever boy” to my fiancé who smiled because he knows the reference. Given all the time that I have spent photographing statues in cemeteries, I am rightfully terrified by The Weeping Angels. I grew up with the original Star Trek, think Tribbles are hysterical, and saw Star Wars Episode 4 in theater during its first run.
I went to my first comic con at the end of March 2014, in Louisville, because Dean Cain was going to be there. I’m of the generation where he was my TV Superman in the mid-90s on Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. I gave him my Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky business card when he autographed my photo he gave me a kiss on the cheek. (Win-win!)
me and Dean Cain
I found a T.A.R.D.I.S. replica, lots of people in costume, Jason Momoa who roamed without a bodyguard, and caught the eye of Manu Bennett. I was dressed in “cosplay streetwear” which is to say not in costume but with significant amounts of visible cleavage. After three passes by his booth when no one was waiting for an autograph, smiling and giving small waves but never stopping, I was eventually chased down by his convention handler who asked if I wanted a picture. Of course I did … after the photo, I got another kiss on the cheek.
me with T.A.R.D.I.S me with Manu Bennett
Did I go to cons to get kissed on the cheek by strangers? Not strictly. I went to meet people and have experiences. It was at this same convention where I went to the panel with Matt Smith who was just finishing up his turn as the Eleventh Doctor on Dr. Who. He told stories, did the giraffe dance (it’s on YouTube), and closed by saying “Be Courageous and Ridiculous”. I took that advice moving forward.
It helped me do something ridiculously outrageous. After being named the Life Rolls On Athlete of the year in 2015, I applied for a grant from the Challenged Athletes Foundation to get help purchasing a custom surfboard so I could compete. Yes, compete, at the 2016 Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championship. (I wrote all about it in the book, so to quote River Song, “Spoilers.” But it was an amazing adventure!) I was even included in the Duke’s Oceanfest 2016 short movie!
Duke Oceanfest 2016
Take the big leap. Do something wild. For me, that’s meant everything from entering the Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky pageant and winning in 2013, to becoming a competitive Para Surfer, to moving cross-country with a power wheelchair twice!
You biggest fans – your own private fandom – are your team. They are the ones who race to support you and make sure you’re upright and breathing when things get tough and you find yourself facedown in the water. There’s no need to fear. Hold your breath and hold on. They are coming for you.