megan rosalarian gedris

dcwomenkickingass:

Gail Simone wants to know. On her Tumblr she says she is getting ready to redesign Oracle’s wheelchair.

We want something maneuverable and versatile. Everything else is pretty much on the table. 

I’ve talked with dozens of wheelchair users since taking over the book, and I am in regular contact with organizations that focus on the rights and access issues of the disabled, and I could just pick a new chair based on their recommendations. But I thought it might be interesting to get some opinions on it.

She continues

I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter, particularly if you use a wheelchair, or work with wheelchairs or people who use them, or otherwise have experience in this area.

What we end up with may be a hybrid of a few designs, but whatever we end up with, I will send to the various editors who use Oracle and ask them to follow as her style sheet.

I’m thrilled they are doing this. I admit while I loved Jesus Saiz cover for Birds of Prey 12 that was unveiled this week, I winced when I saw the wheelchair Babs was in — a standard issue hospital model. She’s had better in the past, this post from a few years ago gives an overview of some of them.

My mother spent the last few years of her life in a wheelchair. We couldn’t afford more than a stand issue model, unfortunately. It was heavy, clunky and transitions were difficult. Oracle doesn’t live on a fixed income and would have something better.

I’m excited to see what the new version looks like, send any ideas Gail’s way.

My pick would be something similar to the Freedom Chair which is light and is so versatile it can be rolled into a shower.

One of the great things about the internet bringing creators and fans together is that people who don’t see themselves in media a lot have a better chance of getting themselves heard directly by people who can fix things.