I'm Walking As Straight As I Can : Transcending Disability in Hollywood and Beyond (eBook)

Born with cerebral palsy, Geri Jewell made history when she became the first person with a disability to be cast in a recurring role on a TV series in the 1980s sitcom The Facts of Life. After her big break she appeared on stage and screen with George Burns, Robin Williams and Shirley Maclaine, to name but a few. But behind closed doors, things were not as happy as they seemed on screen. Through her book, Geri allows readers to see beyond the one-dimensional hero image and gives a true glimpse of the very real pain and unquestionable faith in the human spirit.

---

A candid memoir of building an acting career—and a happy life—with cerebral palsy: “It’s a joy to read this book” (Ian McShane).   Exposing real pain, unstoppable perseverance, and unquestionable faith in the human spirit, this autobiography offers a true glimpse beyond actress Geri Jewell’s public image as a one-dimensional hero. Born with cerebral palsy, Jewell made history when she became the first person with a disability cast in a recurring role on American television in The Facts of Life, and in the years that followed she experienced a string of other successes, including a performance at the White House and a role on HBO’s Deadwood. But along with such accomplishments, this personal story also depicts some of the less-than-rosy events that happened behind closed doors during her initial climb to fame—among them, her release from The Facts of Life; her manager’s embezzlement of the money she made on the show; and her struggle with chronic pain, despair, and a fear of revealing her true sexual identity.   Told with grace and humor, this inspirational narrative presents an honest portrayal of a woman who refused to give up when others kept knocking her down.