Things Are Finally Getting Better

Posted in Current Updates and Recent Life

Hey, guys! Welcome back to The Wheelchair Teen (even though I’m technically not a teenager anymore 😊). A lot can happen in a few months! The last time I posted an update post to my blog, I was really struggling with my move to London, but things are going much better now. I’m much happier in myself and with my situation. Even though I struggled so long to find my feet here in London – I think I’ve finally found them. I’ve had the honour of participating in some incredible writing projects this year.

A screenshot of the webpage where you can book tickets to see The Crip Monologues in theatre. The part where my name is listed as a co-writer is underlined.

I helped write a script for CRIPtic’s about the scrutiny of Disabled bodies which is going to be performed on stage at the Camden People’s Theatre in May. I was also lucky enough to get a chance to perform the piece myself at the Bloomsbury Theatre with the incredible actor Theo Angel. I’ve been commissioned to write multiple Disability awareness pieces and short stories. And next month I’m going to be hosting a workshop on Zoom for Salon in association with CRIPtic and Spread the Word.

A screenshot of a webpage on CRIPtic’s website. The screenshot shows a smiling picture of me next to text about the spoken word workshop event with a button that says ‘Book Now’ all on a black background.
A screenshot of a webpage on Eventbrite’s website. The screenshot shows the same smiling picture of me next to Spread the Word and CRIPtic’s logos. The website also displays a summary of the workshop and a box where you can click and reserve a spot for the event.

The workshop I’ll be hosting is about how to write and perform spoken word – let me teach you how to speak your truth through poetry and performance. Join me on Zoom on Monday 15 April, 6:30 – 8:30pm GMT+1 for fun writing and performing activities, a chance to share your work with others, and a moving performance as I share one of my own spoken word pieces. The workshop is free and BSL, self descriptions, and auto captions will all be provided. Follow this link to book your spot!: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/criptic-x-spread-the-word-salon-how-to-write-and-perform-spoken-word-tickets-866206365557?aff=ebdsreoeymlcollection

I feel so blessed by all of the opportunities that have come way recently, especially after struggling so much at the end of last year. Writing and performing have both been my passions ever since I was a kid so being able to do both professionally has been a dream. As you may have noticed, I also decided to start going by Simi instead of Simone. I would like to thank my followers who have been following my journey from timid Black, Disabled teenager to confident, independent young adult. You all have been so instrumental in helping me along in my path to self-discovery and acceptance of who I really am as I change and grow.

A picture of me in front of a microphone. I’m bathed in pink lights and dressed in all pink.

Before I go, enjoy this video of me performing one of my spoken word pieces called God’s Box of Broken Toys at Grow, Hackney. It’s about crip bodies and how we’re perceived by the world. I actually wrote the first stanza when I was fifteen and have only recently been able to fully complete the rest. Performing this piece was a battle in and of itself. A lift was broken on the way to the venue so my sister and two random strangers had to carry me down three levels of stairs to get there.

Upon arrival, the staff struggled with the practicalities of allowing me to perform since there was no way for me to get up on the stage. Despite talking through the accessibility of the performance over the phone beforehand, it still took the staff a long time to bring down a mic to my level. It just felt a little awkward because everyone was sat still looking at me while they waited for the tech team to get things together. It was still an incredible experience though and the struggles with accessibility only made the last line of the poem more powerful I feel.

Captions are available on the video in the bottom right

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Follow me on Instagram at @simi_roach to keep up with me and all of the projects that I’m working on. Thanks so much for reading ❤ How has 2024 been treating you? See you next time!

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Published by The Wheelchair Teen

I am a black, disabled teenager and my blog shares my personal experiences, some of the struggles and triumphs I’ve been through, as well as posts that educate people about disabilities to help end discrimination against disabled people.

38 thoughts on “Things Are Finally Getting Better”

  1. Wheelchair young adult, wheelchair young lady…no…wheelchair teen has a better sound to it. You should stick with it. Glad to see your time away has been fruitful. May the Creator continue to bless you in wonderful ways.

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    1. It does. That’s why I haven’t change the name of the blog 😅 I actually kind of like that ‘teen’ is still in the title though – it shows you how much of a journey I’ve been on. Thank you, he already has blessed me tenfold and I have no doubt that he’ll continue to do so ❤️

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  11. It’s so good to see you back Simone! What a great performance as you are bathed and glow in all of that hot pink girlfriend. Congratulations on your featured publication. 🥰💖😍 Beautiful photo on the webpage too! Cheers to great things coming your way! 🙌🏼🙏🏼👏🏼

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  12. Great to see the opportunities opening up for you. I loved how you remembered all of that and performed it with such passion. You challenge me – I always think I cannot learn lines and still perform with the meaning that I convey when I read – but you show me otherwise. But you persevere! Blessings for this Holy Week. x

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    1. Thank you so much! I’m definitely not an improvisation person so a lot of my performing, even my public speaking, is memorization and then deliverance with passion. It feels like acting in a way to give life to words you know by heart as if you just thought them up and mean every single word. I’m touched that this has impacted you in that way. I wish you a holy week too! 🌈

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  13. It’s a shame (and ironic, given your piece’s content) that you had to face so many problems in order to perform. I’m glad it was a success though, and even more glad to hear you’re finally managing to pursue your path of choice! Things can only get better and more intense from here. Hang on in there and keep shining 💙.

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  15. Hi Simi!

    Sorry for the late response- I only just saw that you’d posted! Always happy to hear from you! Your speech, wow, wow, wow. Your writing and your voice are both so lovely, not to mention powerful! Thank you for sharing it! I normally have short attention spans for videos, but I was enthralled the entire time, and relistened to the first part. You are amazing! Keep going! Thanks so much for the update and sharing your poem!

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  16. Simi: I’ve thought about you and wondered when/if you’d return to your blog. You certainly have found yourself–in such impressive ways. I am thrilled for you that your unique voice and sensibilities–which were apparent when you began blogging as The Wheelchair Teen–are now being acknowledged with what is clearly a growing professional career. More power to you!

    I hope that even if you don’t have time to blog regularly, you’ll check in on occasion and update us on your accomplishments. And I trust that what you are doing will eventually make the need to have three people carry you to a performance space a less common occurrence for you and others.

    All good wishes,
    Annie

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  17. bravo!!!! this gives me chills to see how very far you’ve come in such a short amount of time & despite such challenges! wishing you all the very best. thanks for sharing with us & in some small way letting us be a part of your continuing success ❤

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  18. Ka pai! (This maori phrase translates to a more deeply felt sense of ‘well done.’) Your courage to be you and continue rolling towards what you are passionate about is awesome!

    So, as I sometimes say, keep on keeping on being awesome! 😎🖊️

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  19. BONJOUR

    Le bonheur est souvent quelque chose que l’on donne sans savoir.

    Le bonheur est un état de vie: il en est ainsi d’un visage souriant, d’un rire communicatif, d’une présence, d’un geste,d’une caresse, d’une étreinte,d’un mot, d’un remerciement…

    C’est une façon d’être, un mode de vie.

    On ne calcule rien, on donne, c’est tout;sans rien attendre en échange.

    Le bonheur on le crée, il ne coûte rien et il est contagieux..!!

    Belle semaine à vous tous Bernard

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  20. Ahh I’m so happy and so proud of how far you’ve come and even more thrilled you get t do what you love professionally! I rather like the ‘Wheelchair Teen’ title, it’s like a call-back to the early days of your journey! Wishing you all the best, Simone!

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  21. Amid all your success as a spoken poet, I think you re marketing yourself very well thought this blog with your videos, links, and in depth descriptions of your undertakings.Bloomsbury Theater – wow you’re in Charles Dickens territory.

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