“Don’t get too close, we might get tangled up”

Submitted by Kimberlee Hinkle, Assistant Coordinator for Online Media.

I just watched a video from Josh Blue’s 2008 stand-up tour in which he was interrupted by a member of his audience wanting to come up on stage and tell a joke. The audience member was a victim of Cerebral Palsy, the same disability that Josh Blue suffers from. Blue pokes fun at the guy for a few minutes before inviting him onto the stage. What ensued after this was probably one of the most awkwardly hilarious moments in which two men with uncontrollable spasms attempt to share a high five and a hug.

Josh Blue is best known for shedding light on his disability and for his self-deprecating humor on the matter. Many of his jokes center on his disability and how he handles other people’s perception of him. He began his stand-up career while in college in order to “make people aware of the fact that people with disabilities can make an impact.” He was also the winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2006. Outside of Blue’s stand-up career, he is also a member of  U.S. Paralympic team, and has several sculptures and painting that he creates.

As a part of Disability Awareness Month, and co-sponsored with the Academic Achievement and Access Center, SUA is bringing Josh Blue on Oct. 19 at 7:00 p.m. To view the event details, click here.