Geri Jewell Among THE ART OF ENGAGEMENT Participants at the U.N, 7/19

Geri Jewell joined the list of participants at the United Nations on Friday, July 19 at the U.N's North Lawn Building, for "The Art of Engagement" for an entertaining approach to building awareness about persons with disabilities. The event organized by Ability Awareness and the U.N. Department of Public Information on the occasion of the sixth session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (17-19 July) discussed ways the arts and the entertainment industry can engage audiences and raise awareness of everyone's abilities.

Participants included Dan Keplinger (Artist and Public Speaker, featured in HBO's Oscar- winning documentary film King Grimp), Dr. Charles Limb, M.D. (Specialist in the study of the neural basis of creativity and music Perception of deaf individuals with cochlear implants), Jeff Brez (Chief, UN Advocacy & Special Events), Lia Martirosyan (Singer, Humorist, Writer), Geri Jewell (Comedian, actress adn author) and Moderator, Chet Cooper (Editor in Chief, Ability Magazine).

Ms. Jewell, who brought the U.N. audience to both laughter and tears, said "It was amazing! The event this morning was thoroughly groundbreaking with regard to how people with disabilities are connecting worldwide through the media and technology. I was personally astounded by an article that was written about me in Ability Magazine that was apparently later re-published in China, to realize how my story and accomplishments are being appreciated by a totally different culture. The two mediums are uniting people with disabilities worldwide. That is phenomenal!"

It has been a busy year for Geri Jewell - On Feb 11th, The Southern California Motion Picture Council (SCMPC) presented its highest honor (The Golden Halo Award) to actress, comedienne and humanitarian, Ms. Geri Jewell. On June 14th, Geri was presenter at the Creative Arts EMMY Awards and on Sat May 4, 2013, Geri appeared on a celebrity panel for Disabilities in the Media & the Arts (which resulted it the launch of her radio show on LA Talk Radio entitled "Life: Cripple Action," with Mark Povinelli, Kathy Buckley and Tobias Forrest), numerous speaking engagements and the West Hollywood Book fair is delighted to announce her participation in the 2013 West Hollywood Book Fair, on Sunday, September 29th, to be held on the grounds of West Hollywood Park and in the new West Hollywood Library. Now, following the advise and example set by her friends, Alison Arngrim and Judy Tenuta, Geri is currently preparing her new one woman show by the same title as her book "I'm Walking As Straight As I Can," just as they have successfully done with their best selling books, "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch" and "Full Frontal Tenudity" (Respectfully).

Geri Jewell shattered the glass ceiling for individuals with disabilities when she was cast by Norman Lear in the hit series "The Facts of Life" and then again in the HBO series "Deadwood."

I'm Walking As Straight As I Can is a compelling book that tells the powerful life story of comedienne and actress Geri Jewell. As a result of a tragic accident, Geri was born with cerebral palsy. Little Jewell (As the hospital dubbed her) was not expected to live. However, she went on to live an amazing life as an inspiration to multiple generations of actresses, comediennes and all handi-capable people everywhere, when she became the first person with a disability to appear in a recurring role on television. She made television history on December 24th, 1980 when she appeared in the NBC sitcom The Facts of Life. Thirty years later, millions of people tuned in to watch her in the hit HBO series Deadwood.

Her candid memoir details her experiences from her traumatic birth in Buffalo, New York, to her rise to stardom as a stand-up comic to becoming a television star. She documents the harsh realities of show business by recounting the relentless discrimination and abuse she suffered at the hands of people she trusted. Her experiences in the shark-infested waters of Hollywood led her on a journey from the Comedy Store to the White House, followed by a downward spiral, tax problems, drug addiction, marriage, and an accident that nearly claimed her life.

Indeed, the double meaning of the title: I'm Walking As Straight As I Can refers both to Jewell's sexuality and to her extraordinary struggles growing up with cerebral palsy. This candid memoir details experiences over a span of fifty years, from her birth to the shocking rise to stardom as a stand-up comedian. She documents her dramatic initiation to the harsh realities of Hollywood, relentless discrimination, and reveals abuse at the hands of people she trusted. Her experiences in the shark Infested waters of Hollywood lead her on a journey from the Comedy Store to the White House, followed by a downward spiral into poverty, legal battles, a failed marriage, drug addiction, and an accident that nearly claimed her life.

The final chapters reveal Jewell's fall from the top and present her inspiring resurgence from the brink of despair. Rising from the ashes she speaks about the importance of landing a role in HBO's hit series Deadwood. Through her tears and triumphs she is transformed to a shining symbol of hope for anyone who dares to follow their dreams. I'm Walking As Straight As I Can is an amazing story told with grace and self-deprecating humor, one that gives readers a true glimpse of true courage and perseverance.

Photo Courtesy of Geri Jewell

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