I got 99 problems... palsy is just one | Maysoon Zayid

Summary

Maysoon Zayid delivers a humorous and powerful talk at TEDWomen, sharing her journey as a comedian and actress with cerebral palsy. She highlights her experiences growing up, the challenges of disability representation in media, and the importance of positive portrayals. Despite being discouraged by societal norms, Maysoon's determination led her to break barriers, perform on Broadway, and advocate for disabled and marginalized communities. Her message is clear: if she can overcome obstacles, anyone can.

Takeaways

• 😄 Maysoon Zayid is a comedian with cerebral palsy, which she humorously describes as shaking all the time.
• 👩‍⚕️ Her cerebral palsy was caused by a medical accident during her birth, not by genetics or her parents' consanguinity.
• 🚫 She challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about disability, emphasizing that people with disabilities are not 'inspirational' by default.
• 🎭 Maysoon has a background in theater and has performed on Broadway, showcasing her talent despite her disability.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Her parents were instrumental in her development, encouraging her to walk and not accepting limitations.
• 🌐 She has a diverse identity as a Palestinian, Muslim, woman, and person with a disability living in New Jersey.
• 🎓 Maysoon attended Arizona State University on a scholarship, excelling academically but facing challenges in theater due to her disability.
• 🤣 She turned to stand-up comedy after facing discrimination in acting, using humor to challenge perceptions about disability.
• 🏆 Maysoon co-founded the New York Arab-American Comedy Festival to change negative media portrayals of Arab-Americans.
• 📺 She has experienced both success and discrimination in the entertainment industry, including an incident on 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann'.
• 🌍 Maysoon advocates for better representation of people with disabilities in media and society to combat online hate and discrimination.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the transcript, and what condition does she have?

The speaker is Maysoon Zayid, a comedian and actress, who has cerebral palsy.

How did Maysoon Zayid develop cerebral palsy?

Maysoon Zayid developed cerebral palsy due to complications during her birth, where the doctor who delivered her made several cuts, leading to her condition.

What is Maysoon Zayid's stance on being inspirational?

Maysoon Zayid emphasizes that she is not inspirational and doesn't want people to feel bad for her.

What unique experiences did Maysoon Zayid have during her childhood related to her condition?

Maysoon Zayid's parents didn't believe in 'can't' and ensured she participated in everything her sisters did, including walking. Her father taught her to walk by placing her heels on his feet and using other creative methods like dangling a dollar bill for her to chase.

How does Maysoon Zayid compare herself humorously to other famous individuals?

She humorously compares herself to a mix of Shakira and Muhammad Ali, indicating that her condition makes her shake all the time.

What challenges did Maysoon Zayid face in pursuing her acting career?

Maysoon Zayid faced challenges in getting cast in roles, even for characters with cerebral palsy, due to doubts about her ability to perform stunts. She highlights that Hollywood often casts able-bodied actors to play disabled roles.

What significant event marked Maysoon Zayid's 'big break' in her career?

Maysoon Zayid's big break came in 2010 when she was invited to be a guest on 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann.' Despite initial challenges, she became a full-time contributor on the show.

How does Maysoon Zayid address the representation of disabled individuals in the media?

Maysoon Zayid advocates for better representation of disabled individuals in the media, noting that people with disabilities are the largest minority in the world but are the most underrepresented in entertainment.

What notable achievements does Maysoon Zayid mention in her talk?

Maysoon Zayid mentions several achievements, including performing on Broadway, acting in a movie with Adam Sandler, founding the charity 'Maysoon's Kids,' and performing for Muhammad Ali.

What message does Maysoon Zayid convey at the end of her talk?

Maysoon Zayid ends her talk with a dedication to her late father and an encouraging message: 'If I can can, you can can.'