Denise Sherer Jacobson, a writer and disability educator, lives in Oakland, California. She has cerebral palsy and uses a motorized wheelchair. She is married and has an adult son who is 25.
Transcripts for all Segments (PDF)
“The new doctor really didn’t take me seriously, which I kind of expected because I know that in the medical profession…doctors don’t have a lot of experience with people with disabilities and also people with speech impairments…”
“He started asking me questions…I would get out a word or two and then he would cut me off and go on to the next question. “He treated me like I was a dog or a cat, you know, [like] I wasn’t a human being.”
“Here’s the letter from the specialist of endocrinology…” “We saw this unfortunate 57 year old woman in our office on March 10…My impression is she is far more intelligent than she looks to me.”
“…many of us are faced with bias and prejudice so when we go to get our health needs addressed, we’ve got to overcome the misconceptions…”
Hello Denise Sherer Jacobson
Watched all your videos online as I am enrolled “Psychology of the Disabled”at Middlesex Community College in Edison, NJ. This was one of our assignments from our professor Yvonne Singer who has CP. I’ve not met her face to face as this is an on-line course and her story is amazing as well. Thank you for being an advocate for the disabled and for your on-line YouTube videos. They made me laugh, cry, get angry, but more importantly, really made me feel connected to you.
Loretta
Hi Loretta,
So glad you found my story helpful!
In case you’re interested in other aspects of disability beside my healthcare experience, check out my book, THE QUESTION OF DAVID: A Disabled Mother’s Journey Through Adoption, Family, and Life, on Amazon.com.
Good luck in your studies!
Hi Denise Sherer Jacobson, I came across your video when I was searching for experiences of physically disabled women in relation to access to gynecologic care. You mentioned that you wrote a book- using that clue I searched and finally found your name. I felt very inspired watching your video created by Alta Bates Summit medical center. I later watched your other videos which were very inspiring.
I’m currently working on a public service announcement video for my class project on “access to preventative and gynecologic health care services for physically disabled women.” There is one powerful and emotionally very connecting statement that you gave in your video which said “The technologist and the people who work in the office have to remember that I’m somebodies wife, somebodies mother, somebodies friend and they all care about me, they don’t want to lose me. So they want me to be healthy and have the best mammogram I can possibly have.”
I want to incorporate this part in my class presentation- I want to share that inspiration while telling the seriousness of the issue with my classmates. Can I have your permission to do so? Is there any other way I can contact you? Thank you
Get PSC Result 2019
Pingback: Denise Sherer Jacobson in NYT Photo Essay
Hi Denise
I have been delighted by all of the Crip camp excitement
I was a swim instructor at Jened in summers 1966 Ana 1967
I remember you and Elaine as compers
I
Hope you are well
Barbara Koch Eisenstein
Pingback: Five history documentaries you need to binge
Pingback: How a hippie New York camp put rocket fuel in disability advocacy - best health adviser
Hola, estoy estudiando el profesorado de educación especial,vimos la película de Crip Camp y así fué como la conocí. La admiro mucho. Amo su fuerza de voluntad. Gracias por enseñar a qué nunca nos rindamos.
Saludos desde Argentina
Hi Denise! I have worked with intellectual disabilities for over 27 years in different capacities. Currently, I am a mental health therapist and I am teaching sex education classes. I am interested in any information you might have to assist with what I am teaching. The curriculum is so vanilla that is out and I feel more needs to be taught so individuals are informed as much as possible. Thanks for any feedback and taking the time to respond.
P.S. I absolutely loved you and your hubby in the documentary on Netflix 💜