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Erin Hawley, who navigates life with a disability, is a Digital Content Producer for Easterseals Thrive, an online platform dedicated to assisting people with disabilities.
This website helps young women with disabilities by providing mentorship and support through online communities.
Key Takeaways
- Erin Hawley is a disabled Digital Content Producer for Easterseals Thrive. She supports individuals with disabilities and aims to encourage self-empowerment among them.
- Despite facing challenges like Muscular Dystrophy and scoliosis, Erin’s flexibility shines through as she advocates for disability awareness and accessibility, both through her work and her blog, The Geeky Gimp.
- Erin’s diverse interests, from her passion for Star Trek to her advocacy for accessibility in gaming, highlight her journey through advocacy, geek culture, and accessibility.
Erin’s website aims to encourage self-empowerment among these individuals.
In addition, she operates The Geeky Gimp, her own blog where she critiques an array of geek culture elements such as films, literature, and video games, all through a disability-focused lens.
Currently, she’s studying for her Master’s degree in Multicultural and Transnational Literature at East Carolina University.
Despite Author Erin Hawley Disability, She Stands Out as An Amazing Writer
Erin Hawley is the brain behind The Geeky Gimp, where she has many roles as the creator, writer, and editor.
Living with disabilities like Muscular Dystrophy, scoliosis, and anxiety, Erin has navigated life with unique challenges.
Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic disorder that weakens the muscles over time. It can cause difficulties with mobility and physical strength.
However, scoliosis is a condition in which the spine curves to the side, often causing discomfort and affecting posture.
I did it. I voted via mail, my dad voted in person – so he gave me his sticker 🙂 #CripTheVote pic.twitter.com/ubRDXtDkps
— Erin Hawley (@geekygimp) November 8, 2022
In Erin’s case, having Muscular Dystrophy and scoliosis means she faces challenges related to mobility, muscle strength, and posture.
These conditions may impact her daily life, requiring adaptations and accommodations to navigate tasks and activities.
Amidst obstacles, Erin’s resolve remains unwavering as she continues to follow her interests and champions for greater disability recognition and the improvement of accessibility across different life arenas.
Erin Hawley’s Journey Through Advocacy, Geek Culture, and Accessibility
Erin lives in Keyport, New Jersey, where she has always been.
In her free time, she watches a lot of Star Trek, hangs out with her friends to play board games, loves everything about Mariah Carey, and enjoys going to Devils’ hockey games.
Erin’s passion for accessibility motivated her to work as a consultant, ensuring that all analog and digital gaming experiences are inclusive.
As a cisgender Latina, Erin brings her diverse perspective to everything she does.
Today is my dog’s birthday (she’s now 2!) and tomorrow is my birthday. I love that we are both Virgos 😂 pic.twitter.com/t1H0xEKHtd
— Erin Hawley (@geekygimp) August 26, 2022
When not advocating for accessibility, she immerses herself in her love for Star Trek and Spock or grooves to Mariah Carey’s tunes.
The Geeky Gimp began as a humble review blog in 2013, focusing on the representation of disabilities in comics, games, and TV shows.
Over time, she has expanded her reach to social media, sharing her enthusiasm for geek culture and disability awareness.
She also has a Twitch, where she streams video games regularly or follows along on my YouTube channel, where she documents snippets of her life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does Erin balance her interests in geek culture and advocacy?
Erin passionately combines her interests in geek culture, including Star Trek and gaming, with her advocacy for disability awareness and accessibility. Through her blog, social media presence, and academic pursuits, she promotes inclusivity and self-empowerment for individuals with disabilities.
2. Why did Erin choose to use the word “GIMP” in her blog’s title, despite its derogatory connotations for disabled individuals?
Erin using the word “GIMP” is like taking something negative and turning it into something positive. Erin wants to show that people with disabilities can be strong and calm like anyone else. She’s using this word to stand up against stereotypes and show that disabilities are nothing to be ashamed of.
