I'm celebrating an entire year of writing for The Squeaky Wheel! My first article, “Man devastated to learn his girlfriend (with IBS) poops”, was published on November 5, 2023. It's been an awesome year of comedy and community; TSW has grown so much in just the year I've been here.

So, in honor of the last 12 months, let's take a look at it:

Steven Verdille began by writing funny stories to send to friends, but with their encouragement, started The Squeaky Wheel in 2021. In three short years, it's grown to a web publication with editors, staff writers, many contributing writers, and an illustrator. The articles satirize the experiences of living with a disability and the unfortunate ableism that comes with it. There's even a television show in Canada based on it!

With the rise of technology making communication easier, more and more disabled people are finally being heard. It's estimated that 1 in 4 Americans are disabled - and that number is likely to rise following the covid-19 pandemic and climate changes. No longer confined to care facilities or family homes, we're content creators, CEOs, medical students, lawyers, and we're not going quietly back into hiding. We are here to stay, and the world needs to learn how to exist with us in it.

By approaching the topic of ableism through the lense of humor, the conversations are beginning and outdated norms are questioned. Everyone likes to laugh, but not everyone wants to have a serious discussion - so it allows for more people to be involved and included. By “flipping the script”, we can begin to see how ridiculous some beliefs are.

Comedy as a tool for dismantling old, antiquated ways is an approach that has been widely used. Even just the act of daring to find joy and laughter when you don't fit the “ideal” is, in itself, a bold form of resistance. Comedy has (and still is) dominated by able bodied, cishet white men, but has grown more diverse in recent years. By making people laugh, we begin to bridge the cultural divides.

A year in headlines

I'd like to end with a collection of my favorite articles from the last year, as well as the one that started it all:

Aside from the hilarious TSW team, some great disabled voices in comedy are: Lauren Walker, Joseph Kibler, Pamela Schuller, Drew Lynch, and so much more!