The Importance of Representation with Jillian Mercado

Summary

In 'The Heumann Perspective', Judy Heumann interviews Jillian Mercado, a model and advocate with spastic muscular dystrophy. They discuss Jillian's upbringing in New York, her journey into fashion and modeling, and her acting debut in 'The L-Word'. Jillian shares her aspirations for authentic representation of the disabled community in media and her work with Black Disabled Creatives, aiming to normalize disability in various industries.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The video is an introduction to 'The Heumann Perspective' featuring Judy Heumann and Jillian Mercado, both of whom use wheelchairs.
• 🌈 The show's logo features purple and orange concentric circles, symbolizing unity and diversity.
• 🏠 Both Judy and Jillian are shown in home settings, Judy in her dining room and Jillian in her kitchen, indicating a personal and intimate environment.
• 👧 Jillian has spastic muscular dystrophy, which causes her muscles to tighten, affecting her mobility.
• 🧒 Jillian's childhood was simple until middle school, when she became more aware of her differences due to peers and societal attitudes.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Jillian's parents, originally from the Dominican Republic, had a different cultural understanding of disability, which affected their support.
• 🎓 Jillian's mother encouraged her to pursue what makes her happy, leading her to explore her interests in fashion and the arts.
• 👗 Jillian's education at F.I.T. was pivotal, opening doors in the fashion industry and eventually leading to her first worldwide modeling campaign with Diesel.
• 🎬 Jillian's acting career began with a role in 'The L-Word', which was significant for its authentic representation of disability.
• 💪 Jillian aspires to use her growing success to influence policies and bring change to the disability community.
• 🔍 Jillian is involved in 'Black Disabled Creatives', a platform to support and connect disabled creatives, aiming to increase representation and opportunities.

Q & A

What is the name of the show where Judy Heumann and Jillian Mercado are having a discussion?

The show is called 'The Heumann Perspective'.

What is the nature of Jillian Mercado's disability?

Jillian has spastic muscular dystrophy, which causes her muscles to get really tight sometimes.

How did Jillian view her disability growing up until middle school?

Jillian viewed her disability as a simple difference, comparing it to having a unique pair of sneakers like Nikes, which her friends did not have.

What cultural background do Jillian's parents have, and how did it affect her experience growing up?

Jillian's parents are from the Dominican Republic, and the cultural differences made it hard for them to understand her experiences and the significance of her disability.

What advice did Jillian's mother give her when she was unsure about her future and career?

Jillian's mother advised her to do whatever makes her happy, leveraging her privilege and opportunities growing up in the United States and New York City.

How did Jillian's interest in fashion lead her to a career in modeling?

Jillian identified fashion as her passion and enrolled in schools in New York City related to fashion. This led to her meeting the creative director of Diesel, who offered her a worldwide modeling campaign in 2014.

What was Jillian's initial career goal before she became a model?

Jillian initially aimed to become an editor, with the mission to hire people like herself for covers and editorials, providing representation and sharing stories for the disability community.

When did Jillian start her acting career, and what was her first professional role?

Jillian started her acting career professionally about two years ago with her first role in the first episode of The L-Word.

What was significant about Jillian getting the role in The L-Word, and how did it come about?

The role was significant because it represented real representation for the disability community in entertainment, which was something Jillian was passionate about. She got the role after her agent presented her with the script, and she auditioned for it.

What are Jillian's aspirations for the future in terms of her career and advocacy?

Jillian aspires to continue working in the industry until her presence is not a surprise and headlines no longer focus on her being disabled. She wants to use her success to talk about important issues within the community and influence policies.

What is the purpose of the platform 'Black Disabled Creatives' that Jillian is working on?

The platform aims to create a community for disabled creatives, letting them know they are not alone and providing opportunities for them to get hired for jobs in the industry.

What projects is Jillian currently working on, and what can we expect from her in the future?

Jillian is currently focusing on her mental health and working on several projects, which may include a TV show, a fashion line, and a book. She is also heavily involved in the Black Disabled Creatives platform.