Wrestling With Accessibility
If you are reading this right now, there is a strong chance you are a wrestling fan and have attended some event whether it is WWE or AEW. If you are a hardcore wrestling fan, then you have attended at least one independent wrestling event and realized the magic behind it.
There is nothing like attending an independent wrestling event, the up and close experience of cheering your favorite or booing and trash talking the villain you love to hate trying to get a reaction from them. The smell of food and beer but the best post is meeting likeminded individuals in an environment that encourages you to interact with fans and wrestlers! I have met some cool people from attending wrestling events that I always try to meet up with when I go to watch!
Some of the best moments of my life came from going to an independent wrestling show, such as chopping Josh Briggs that’ll live on, on IWTV or moshing with nick gage and getting to talk to him randomly after the show and introduce him to my niece, the highlight of her trip. Although attending shows is something that I enjoy tremendously, it’s not something that is always possible for someone in a wheelchair. You see, I have limb girdle muscular dystrophy, which affects my lower body more than my upper half. This means I am usually in some kind of wheelchair when going to shows. Wrestling to me like manny is something that distracts me from my everyday life and get emotionally invested in larger-than-life individuals. Unfortunately, lately, the past 5 years, it has been difficult to attend and take part due to inaccessibility.
A few years ago, I reached out to beyond wrestling because I was dying to see them and wanted to make sure they were accessible before traveling to their new location at white Eagle in Worcester, Massachusetts. After an hour and a half drive, I arrived to learn the venue wasn’t accessible upstairs where the event was going to be held. Thankfully, three wrestlers stepped up and decided to carry me up the stairs. I will forever be thankful to the Iron Savages and Brad Hollistar for showing great kindness. That is something that should not have had to happen for me to enjoy something I really freaking love. Accessibility in independent wrestling is a major issue because it is a nonissue to most promoters and needs to be addressed. Whether it is lack of an Elevator or ramp to enter building or not having room for someone in a wheelchair. Something must give because wrestling can’t be for everyone if it is excluded a certain group of individuals.
I have traveled 5 hours to attend GCW in Atlantic City multiple times over promotions that are 10 minutes from me because of accessibility issues. GCW is always accessible and takes that into account even booking venues. They take care of people in wheelchairs, even coming by after matches to make sure were okay. If you are a promoter reading this and your shows do not have any disabled people, ask yourself why and try to do better please so I may visit and cheer my heart.
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