JB: No, I don’t lift weights. I
don’t have a workout routine. I
used to do specific therapies. I’m
trying to get back into more cardio.
I was throwing axes (laughs)
but I’ve hurt my shoulder so I
can’t do that anymore. I can’t do
cardo unless the axes are being
thrown at me!
iPL: We believe that laughter is a
great medicine and love how you
use laughter to break down stereotypes
of people with disabilities.
When did you realize that you had
an amazing talent to perform
comedy?
JB: I think I came to realize it in
8th grade. When you’re a kid you
don’t really know shit, but I was
quick on it. I’m quick on my feet,
I think is the quote, and I could
make a whole classroom laugh,
you know. I used to think of being
funny as a great pickup line, because
I didn't think it matter what
my body looked like, being funny
is funny. So that’s when I started
devoting more time to it.
iPL: What challenges have you
faced in your comedy career because
of living with cerebral palsy
and people not understanding it?
28 — iPain Living Magazine
JB: I’m sometimes branded as the
“cerebral palsy comic” so people
think I just talk about cerebral
palsy and that it’s not relatable to
everyone. It all comes from the
perspective of a disabled person,
obviously, but I think that most of
my stories are relatable to different
people. Also, people don’t tell
a fat comedian that they talk too
much about being fat, or a woman
or black comedian that they talk
too much about what they know.
But I’m the one who gets that a
lot. I get criticized for talking
about CP but I’m just talking
about what I know. Other people
have loved me since Last Comic
Standing.
iPL: Anything else you would
like to share about patient empowerment
and the importance of
standing up for yourself when it
comes to getting proper and timely
care?
JB: I feel like a lot of times people
are a prisoner to the system
when in fact, you have a voice but
it’s hard to use that voice. “Oh,
I’m a professional. I know what’s
best for you.” Well, get a second
opinion, man!
Laughs Ahead
We're so glad that Josh took the
time to talk with us about his experiences.
If you haven't checked
out his hilarious comedy, we recommend
a visit to joshblue.com!
Here you can see clips of his performances,
download digital albums,
and follow his tour schedule.
(Connued from page 26)
Photo Credit: Nick Larson Photography
/joshblue.com