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Jenny Laatsch is a veteran Barrier-Free"er" who has performed onstage in over 10 Barrier-Free shows! Today, she gives a first-hand account of her experiences being part of Barrier-Free's inclusive theater companies and classes. Enjoy the lovely, talented, and always bright, Jenny Laatsch! View the video interview or read the full transcript below. Question 1: Can you tell us a bit about yourself?My name is Jenny Laatsch. I live in New Windsor Maryland and I go to day program. [I am] thirty-one. Activities [I like] are bowling and dancing.  Question 2: When did you become involved in Barrier-Free?JENNY: Barrier-Free for 5 years. INTERVIEWER: Wow, five years!! That's a lot of shows! JENNY: Yeah!  Rehearsal for 'Cosmic Crime' (2020) Question 3: What is your favorite part of creating our original shows?Pick our character's names and singing!  Tech rehearsal 'Cosmic Crime' (2020) Question 4: Do you have a favorite character you've played?Princess Pamper. 👑  Jenny onstage as Princess Pamper in 'Dischord' (2014). Question 5: How has Barrier-Free impacted your life?That it makes me happy and proud.  Jenny poses with her cast-mate and friend, Nicole (2014) Question 6: What interests do you have outside of Barrier-Free?JENNY: Outside of Barrier-Free, [I like] bowling and dancing. INTERVIEWER: Awesome! Recently you've been very into painting too, right? JENNY: And painting! INTERVIEWER: Jenny, those paintings you shared, oh my gosh, they are so beautiful!! JENNY: [with a big smile] Yeah! INTERVIEWER: Thank you! JENNY: [still smiling] You're welcome!  JOY in the Time of Coronavirus Class on Zoom (2020) Question 7: What would you tell someone that is interested in becoming involved in Barrier-Free programs?You should sign up and join the fun to make new friends.  Jenny participating in our International Collaboration with Blue Apple Theatre UK (2020) Keep Shining Jenny!!Catch Jenny and her Company A cast mates in the short-film Salty Seas premiering LIVE on Youtube & Facebook on Friday, December 18th at 8pm. Catch a sneak peek below! Happy Birthday Jenny!!Jenny celebrates her birthday on December 22nd and is generously sharing her special day with Barrier-Free! She has raised $346 on her way to her $1000 goal! 
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 This blog post is different from what I normally post. This is just a free form write up on how having multiple disabilities affects my life. Having a disability means fighting everyday to prove why you’re worthy of receiving services. Having a disability means fighting insurance, social security, and medicaid to prove why you need services. Having a disability means having to explain what it is, what it means to you, and how it affects your life. Having a disability is answering the same questions over and over again. Having a disability means I may get judged just for having autism. Having a disability means I have to protect my health especially in the season of COVID-19. Having a disability is deciding whether or not to disclose your disability to a friend or not. Having a disability is deciding whether or not to disclose a disability on a job interview. Having a disability is deciding when I need to mask my autism and when I don't. Having a disability means when I mask my autism I pay for it later. Having a disability means the employer can decide to pay me less or to not interview me at all based on my application. Having a disability is worry about if I’ll secure housing when I’m older. Having a disability is worrying about if I’ll be able to provide for myself when I’m older. Having a disability means having an ABLE account. Having a disability means signing over power of attorney at age 18. Having a disability means my parents have to sit in on IEP meetings through kindergarten to twelfth grade. Having a disability specifically autism is having scripted language so you don’t stumble on words when I speak. Having a disability specifically autism means I prefer to have text communication over spoken communication. Having a disability specifically autism means social communication is exhausting for me. Having a disability specifically autism means having backup communication like text to speech in case of a meltdown or medical emergency where I’m unable to speak. Having a disability means I’m unable to drive long distances. Having a disability means time flies by or it goes super slow. Having a disability means I be hyperfocused on a task for a long period of time. This blog is also posted on Photography through Autism Blog.
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Mail: 23219 Stringtown Rd #373 Clarksburg, MD 20871 | Email: info@barrierfreemd.com | Phone: 301-799-8669 | EIN: 84-2964880
We are proud to be funded in part by an Arts Opportunity Mini-Grant from the Carroll County Arts Council.
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Barrier-Free is committed to providing access to our web pages for individuals with disabilities. The content of this site has been tested for usability and accessibility using a combination of standards-based, automated procedures and accepted heuristic methods. We make every effort to comply with the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Compliance is an ongoing process and we encourage notification when information on our website is inaccessible. If for any reason you are having difficulty accessing any of our resources please contact Lauren Burr, Executive Director at laurenburr@barrierfreemd.com.