Comedian w/ Disability Celebrates Humor Every Day
In honor of National Humor Month, United Spinal Association is proud to announce that member Damon Rozier, a professional comedian, will be performing at Stand Up New York on Wednesday, April 26th, at 9pm and again at Caroline’s Comedy Club in New York City on Wednesday, May, 17th, also at 9pm.
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Rozier, a member since 2004, is captain of the United Spinal Jets Quad Rugby team and shares his knowledge of wheelchair sports with children and adults through out the tri-state area through adaptive clinics. The Brooklyn resident divides his “free” time between volunteering at United Spinal and serving as Parent Teacher Association president at his son’s school PS 346.
“I started doing comedy about 3 years ago in Brooklyn. I didn’t see anyone else in a wheelchair doing it and I thought it would be fun to try. I was in a real unique situation and was lucky to be given the opportunity,” said Rozier, who is presently performing as a host every Wednesday night at 9pm at the Essence Bar and Restaurant on Atlantic Ave. in Brooklyn. “Making people laugh has turned into an addiction, kind of like quad rugby.”
Rozier, who sustained a spinal cord disability in a motorcycle accident in 1998, performs every night at clubs throughout New York City, including the Improv, the Laugh Factory, and Stand-Up New York. Since a majority of the comedy clubs are not wheelchair accessible, Rozier usually has to be lifted onto the stage. But he takes it all in stride. “Accessibility would be great, but it is not my main concern. I just want to entertain people.”
Rozier also keeps himself active by playing on the United Spinal Yankees wheelchair softball team, co-sponsored by the New York Yankees. He has also competed in the New York City Marathon for the past 5 years and is an avid cycler, often joining United Spinal’s handcycling club for weekend meets in Bayside, New York.
Membership in the United Spinal Association is free and open to all individuals who have a spinal cord injury or disorder.