My New Series "Best Foot Forward" in The New York Times

Story time! When I was 7 years old, I started a little something called Kids Newspaper, which reported on the local happenings of my neighborhood in Harrisonburg, Virginia. I sold copies for 5 cents door to door and it was heavily inspired by papers I’d heard of in big cities.

I think it’s safe to say that kid would have been blown away to know he’d get to share his story in The New York Times some 30 years later. And that some of his childhood memories and experiences would be immortalized on an Apple TV+ series called “Best Foot Forward.”

I’m proud to share that The New York Times recently published an article called “‘Best Foot Forward’ Is a Story About, and by, People With Disabilities” about the unique nature of our production’s approach to disability representation, both in front of and behind the camera. I’m honored to have shared my own experiences in the article as an executive producer and writer on the series, which is based on one of my memoirs Just Don’t Fall. 

This aim to prioritize disability representation on both sides of the camera was a collaborative effort from every individual involved with “Best Foot Forward” to ensure this was the most accessible set it could be. Special thanks to Lauren Applebaum (CEO/Founder, RespectABILITY), Zach Anner (Producer/Writer, “Best Foot Forward”), Marissa Erickson (Production Assistant, “Best Foot Forward”), and Kiah Amara (Production Accessibility Coordinator, “Best Foot Forward”) for your incredible contributions to this article and the production at large. It wouldn’t have been possible without you!