Disaboom’s Expanded Entertainment Section Focuses on People with Disabilities in Mainstream Media

Denver, CO – March 28, 2008 – Carlana Stone, a contestant on “Oprah’s Big Give,” an ABC reality show that raises money for people in need, is an example of the more prominent role people with disabilities are playing in the entertainment industry. Stone became a paraplegic at the age of 17, but went on to scuba dive, sky dive and get her pilot’s license. Ms. Stone is one of the many entertainment personalities featured in disaboom.com’s expanded entertainment section.

Disaboom, the leading online community designed for people touched by disabilities, has begun to highlight the achievements and interesting stories of actors, as well as fictional characters, with disabilities. Some of the people featured in the entertainment section include:

• Television – Joe Swanson (cartoon character who is a paraplegic, “Family Guy”), Heather Kuzmich (asperger’s syndrome, “America’s Next Top Model”)
• Movies – Dakota Fanning (character has cerebral palsy, “Hurricane Mary”), Jean-Dominique Bauby (character suffers a stroke, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”)
• Music – 4 Wheel City (rap group consisting of two members: one paraplegic and one quadriplegic), Mat Fraser (actor, musician, writer, and performance artist who is phocomelic)
• Books – “From Here to There” (45 autobiographies about spinal cord injury)

“The majority of people are undereducated or uncomfortable with topics relating to disabilities,” said Dr. Glen House, founder of Disaboom. “Fortunately, we have witnessed an increase in the presence of disabilities in the media, which is instrumental in helping educate the public about disabilities and lends an added personal connection.”

The newly expanded entertainment section can be found at disaboom.com. Launched in 2007, Disaboom is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people touched by disabilities. To join community blogs and read articles on topics from healthcare to accessible homes, log onto disaboom.com.

About Disaboom

Disaboom, Inc. was founded to develop the first interactive online community dedicated to constantly improving the way people with disabilities or functional limitations live their lives. It will also serve as a comprehensive online resource not only for people living with such conditions, but also their immediate families and friends, caregivers, recreation and rehabilitation providers, and employers. There are more than 54 million American adults living with disabilities or functional limitations today in the United States alone. Founded and designed by doctors and fellow disaboomers to meet this community’s specific needs, disaboom.com brings together content and tools ranging from specialized health information to social networking to daily living resources, in a single interactive site.

Contact:
Erik Keith Office: 303-433-7020 [email protected]

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