She is a stand-up comedian, she has acted with Adam Sandler in a movie, and has tap-danced on Broadway. Would you ever guess this individual has Cerebral Palsy?  Maysoon Zayid has done all of those things and also has Cerebral Palsy but she has never let it stand in her way. In December of 2013, Maysoon gave a talk at TEDWomen on disabled people being underrepresented in the media.

Cerebral Palsy is not a genetic disorder, and you can’t pass it from one person to another. It is a neurological disorder that often affects the body’s muscle movement and coordination. It is a brain malformation developed before birth, during birth, or immediately after birth. Although CP has a definition, it does not define the person who is afflicted.

Maysoon Zayid delivered a comedic TED talk to audience members on a serious topic: disabled people in the media. She starts the talk light-heartedly by telling audience members that “One time or another you wish you were disabled? Let me paint you a picture—It’s Christmas Eve and you’re circling around looking for parking, and what do you see, SIXTEEN EMPTY HANDICAPPED SPOTS!” 

Zayid was born in 1974 in the great state of New Jersey. When she was growing up, there were only six Arabs in her town and they were all her family. She is Pakistani, Muslim, female, and disabled. Those aspects of herself would consider her to be in the minority, but she doesn’t let hat define her either. Her parents wouldn’t let her believe in the world “can’t.”

She attended Arizona State University and went to pursue acting. She often wouldn’t get cast, so she took a turn at comedy. Zayid has performed comedy shows all over the country and Pakistan. She is a voice for disabled people being under represented in the media.

Doctor’s told her she wouldn’t walk. She now is a stand-up comedian. Her heart, drive, and father will always remind her and others, no matter what, “Yes, you can can!”