Episode 25: 19-Year-Old Filmmaker, Artist, and College Sophomore

Episode 25 Show Notes

"I don't concern myself with what they get wrong. I like to just show up as myself and then let any preconceived notion, if there is any, flow like, float away”

Oliver Scheier, is a 19-year-old filmmaker, artist, and sophomore in college. Oliver discusses his approach to authenticity in both his work and personal life. He shares insights on his short film "Read a Page," his journey as a young artist, and how he navigates the perceptions of others.

Connect with Oliver Scheier on his website. Watch "Read a Page."

Transcript

Lily Newton:

Hey, listeners. Welcome back to another episode of Everything You Know About Disability is Wrong.

Erin Hawley:

And today, we have a very special back to school episode with Oliver Scheier.

Lily Newton:

Oliver is 19. He's a sophomore in college, and he has muscular dystrophy. Oliver finds peace and authenticity in displaying who he is through spoken word and his art, which includes poetry and short films.

Erin Hawley:

And his recent short film, read a page, shows his his recent film his recent short film, read a page, shows the everyday lives of 4 disabled people. And I watched it last night, and I absolutely loved it. So welcome to the show, Oliver.

Oliver Scheier:

Thanks for having me, guys. I'm so excited.

Lily Newton:

We're so excited to have you. Before we dive into the questions, let's go ahead and do our audio descriptions. I'll start. This is Lily speaking. I am a white passing woman in my late twenties. I have brown hair with some light pink peekaboo highlights sticking out that were not there the last time we recorded, so they're new. And I'm wearing my usual black turtleneck and the necklace that I will fidget with the whole time. Go ahead, Erin.

Erin Hawley:

Hi. This is Erin. I'm a white presenting 40 year old woman with red hair, and I'm wearing a green shirt. And inside my bedroom, which is very dark.

Oliver Scheier:

This is Oliver speaking. I am a white presenting male with a, white shirt on, black hair, brown eyes, and I am in my car.

Lily Newton:

We were chatting before this recording started that, it's very Gen z of Oliver to be recording in his car because that's very, like, TikTok, to record in your car. Alright. Let's get this interview started. Erin, take it away.

Erin Hawley:

Yeah. So our podcast is everything you know about disability is wrong. And the first question you'd like to ask our guests is, what do people get wrong about you?

Oliver Scheier:

Good opener question. It's funny because I have a super vague answer, but I also think it's applicable to maybe how a lot of people feel in that I don't know what they get wrong because I don't care what they get wrong. I don't concern myself with what they get wrong. I like to just show up as myself and then let any preconceived notion, if there is any, flow like, float away. You know? So I I choose to live my life not in a way of like, oh, people get it wrong just because I have a disability. It's like I I choose to have more hope in people, although I know that's not there definitely are people that see me and see my disability and go, oh, he's this, this, and that. But I just I just exist and let them kinda work it out for themselves.

Erin Hawley:

Yeah. Totally. Because, like, people judge so quickly and so often. Yeah. It's just me being disabled in public. And it's like, if you let it get to you, you get nowhere because

Oliver Scheier:

Literally. Literally.

Lily Newton:

Yeah. Yeah. I think that's, like, such a great answer, and it kind of to me, it's a, like, very hopeful answer to hear because you are younger. We in our listeners, in our preproduction call, we chatted about the fact that this is a fun episode to record because we have, like, different generations on this call in that Aaron is a true millennial. Sometimes I say that I'm a Gen z until I'm talking to someone like Oliver, who is a true Gen z and makes me realize that I am not. I'm very much in the middle. But in disability terms, that means that we are the Erin is the pre ADA generation. I was the ADA decade, like, born in the nineties, and then Oliver is the post ADA generation.

Lily Newton:

Kind of if you're non disabled, you might be like, what why is that a marker? But it the ADA really changed the way that not only, like, buildings exist and accessibility exist in that way, but, like, the common public knowledge of disability really changed when that happened. So I would say that that probably shaped each of our experiences. And the other thing I'd say is that, like, Oliver as a Gen z, I, in my opinion, as someone who is chronically online, I think that, social through social media and, like, slightly better representation in, like, Hollywood and film Yeah. There is a lot more visibility for disabled Gen Z's than any of us had, like, at when I was 19.

Oliver Scheier:

Mhmm.

Lily Newton:

So it's hopeful for me to hear that you're like, well, I'm not gonna worry about preconceived notions. And maybe that's partially because, like, hopefully, I'd say the world is starting to realize that, like, disabled people just exist. It doesn't have to be a surprise every time.

Oliver Scheier:

Like like, literally. I mean, we're just I I say people with disabilities because it's like we're just people. I mean, the whole separation that exists within people who don't don't understand us, it just it comes from a place of, like, alienation when that's not even true. Like, what? We're just people. And to us, that's so simple, but it actually blows my mind that it's not. That's okay for some people, but, again, I don't think it's our responsibility to concern our lives with those people. Like, let them they can learn, but, we just need to exist. You know?

Lily Newton:

Yeah. It was interesting that you use person with disabilities because when I was younger, when I was, like, 19, I also used person with disability instead of disabled. And I feel like for me, it was kind of, like, while I was figuring out what my adult identity meant, I needed to really ensure that I saw myself as just, like, a person. Like that more than anything. Yeah. And then probably around, like, 25 or 26. Honestly, maybe while doing this podcast, when I started to be, like, very immersed in the disabled community, that was when I first started getting comfortable with, like, identifying as disabled. And I think, you know, everyone can use whatever language they feel most comfortable with.

Oliver Scheier:

That's super important. Pretend. Obviously. I just and maybe it is a sign of, like, internalized ableism, but I, my problem is that, like, look at every other word in the English language with the dis prefix, like disempowerment, dishonest, like disabled. I don't know. I just and I know in reality, it just means the opposite of, but it still rubs me the wrong way. I don't know. I just I wish there was, like, a different word for it.

Oliver Scheier:

And for a while, I I said physically alternative.

Lily Newton:

I mean, I think this conversation's important though to show that, like, language when you're, I mean, you're 19 years old, it can feel very overwhelming. When I was 19, I certainly had not overcome all of my internalized ableism. I'm 27 and still have to deal with my own internalized ableism. Erin, I'm you're 40. I've do you still deal with that?

Erin Hawley:

I mean, maybe. I don't think about it, to be honest. Maybe I should. But, like, I think it took me such a long time to accept that I was disabled even though I obviously am, that I don't now think about how I view my own identity, if that makes sense.

Lily Newton:

No. I think that's, again, like, as hopeful as Oliver's original answer of that, like, you know, once you've kind of worked through that, you don't have your identity doesn't become everything. I feel like that's the same for a lot of other identities too. Like, when I was coming to terms with my queer identity, it felt very, like, I needed to say it all the time or I needed to do this. And then now I'm kinda like, I had to put the rainbow flag in all of my bios online because I needed people to know.

Oliver Scheier:

Which is, like, the craziest intersection ever, in my opinion. Not actually. I mean, it's all different. But being queer and disabled is, like, oh my god. That's crazy. Because I feel like being disabled is queer on its own, not sexuality. But, I mean, you know, we are a minority. That's just, like, not every person born is disabled, obviously.

Oliver Scheier:

But to then also be queer, it's like, oh, I'm I'm already, like, in a minority, and so you go further. I remember when I came to terms with my queer identity, I was like, you couldn't you couldn't just rest and disable. I mean, obviously, I just I've gotta be true to myself always. But, like, it's weird. It's so weird being both. I'm like, woah. Like, it's a lot, and not in a bad way, but I don't know.

Lily Newton:

No. I think that it makes total sense. Like, the weight of the identities and having to balance both is really can be a lot. And I get what you're saying about the, like, feeling like it it in itself is a queer identity, which as a queer person, I feel like you are able to say easily, but there's a bell hooks quote that is like I I'm I'm gonna get the quote kind of wrong, but it's something like queer, not as in who you have sex with, but queer as in at odds with the world around you. Like, it's something like that, and, I think that that kinda fits exactly what you're saying. Yeah. I just I think it's interesting. I hope this podcast lasts for, like, a decade, and then when you're 29, we can interview you and be like, okay.

Lily Newton:

What language do you use now? Like I can imagine we should do it. This could be your, you know, the Billie Eilish interviews for the interview every year.

Oliver Scheier:

Vanity Fair. Yeah.

Lily Newton:

Yeah. This is yours. We'll just interview you every year and see how because I think 19 is such like a pivotal age. You're kind of becoming the identity you'll have. And I mean, I felt like when I was 19, I knew exactly who I was and, like, I hadn't even come to terms with my queer or disabled identity at that time. So it's it's interesting. And I think that, I feel like you probably have been immersed in disabled culture a bit more than, like, I would have been at your age. Because listeners, we connected with Oliver through his incredible mother, Mindy Scheier, who, I'm not even gonna in like, plug talk about her that much because if you want to learn about the amazing stuff she is doing, she was in an episode of the other Easterseals podcast on board with Transparent Leadership, and you can learn all about everything she does. But just a little intro if you don't know anything about her listeners. Mindy started an amazing company called Runway of Dreams and then a different group called Gamut, which is like a management group for people with disabilities. And Mindy is often quoted as saying that she was inspired to start Runway of Dreams after her son, Oliver, dreamed of wearing jeans like everyone else. And so she wanted to create fashion and do things so that Oliver could wear whatever he wanted. So, you know, Oliver, you are Oliver. What was your experience, like, with her starting that and, like, the conversations the 2 of you had that made her want to start runway of dreams?

Oliver Scheier:

Good question. You know, it's so crazy because I actually remember that moment when I asked her to wear jeans, which is crazy because I've heard it so many times through her speeches, and I'm like I almost questioned that it actually happened. It actually happened to not get it twisted. But, like, it's it is I mean, to see what she does every day and has done since that moment, I mean, it's one of the most mind blowing, earth shattering things I've ever experienced in my life. One question created all of this. One question got me here right now. You know? I mean, I'm so grateful for my mom in numerous, numerous ways, but one being, like, she her work has gotten me into spaces that I don't how the fuck would I have gotten here without her? I mean, I probably would have found a way, but I don't know. It's it's a I feel super fortunate and privileged, honestly, to to be here because of that, but that's on its own. It just feels crazy. Like, I don't know. I I'm so proud of her and what she continues to do. Like and the thing is that she's not even disabled. And some people get on her about that. Like, who are you? I can't you don't know. But, I mean, I think it's it is such a testament to what we can do when we learn from others and when we see from others. We can create greatness alongside people. This is not the Mindy Scheier show. It's the changing our world as one with people with disabilities at the forefront. Anything she does is with the word and opinion and thoughts of a person with a disability, if not multiple. Oftentimes, multiple. So I don't know. She's the best ever.

Lily Newton:

Yeah. I think it's it reminds me of, we had an amazing musician, Gaelynn Lea, on the show, and she spoke about, you know, she wanted to play, I think it was violin and her the way her body is, it she couldn't hold the violin correctly. And she had a teacher who, like, was just like, well, let's just try other ways. Let's just figure it out. And she figured out a way that she could play it kind of like a fiddle. And in that episode, we talked about the way that, like, so much of innovation is just, like, people not giving up and people not, like, just living on their assumption of disabled people. So, like, your mom, you know, you asked that question, and instead of her being like, well, Oliver, we'll get you jeans special jeans for you. Like, we'll we'll do it. Instead of doing that, she was like, you're right. Let's try. Let's figure it out.

Oliver Scheier:

Yeah.

Lily Newton:

I think that's incredible innovation there.

Oliver Scheier:

Yeah. And just a testament to who she is, like, beyond everything she's ever done. It's it's just who she is. She's not she's a doer. She's a go getter. She's someone that does not stop at the conventions of what exists right now. Like, she she sees beyond it. But all of you should go check out her episode because it's sick.

Lily Newton:

Yeah. I'm glad she's your mom and that you were, you know, gifted with a mother who would fight for you like that, and that's amazing. And I feel like it probably her support and encouragement probably led to, like, you being a filmmaker and an artist and wanting to talk about this kind of stuff. So let let's get into that.

Oliver Scheier:

100%. And and I just wanna say I appreciate you, like, talking about that stuff. You know? Because I I'm so grateful to do this. Or, like, when I'm gonna say this, but I feel like my whole life since you started, it's been like, how do you feel about what your mom does and your mom and your mom and I love talking about her. I can do a 10 hour interview about her, at the very least, seriously. But I also wanna talk about my stuff. You know? I'm starting to as I'm 19 and trying to develop a name of my own publicly, it's I can't just be Mindy Scheier's son. I mean, I can, and I love to, obviously. But that's I'm so much more than that.

Erin Hawley:

Totally.

Oliver Scheier:

Take it with a grain of salt because I love being Mindy Scheier's son.

Erin Hawley:

Okay.

Oliver Scheier:

Anyway yeah, dude. Like, her support and her ability to say, like, I am behind anything you love to do. It has it has like, if I am a plant, she watered me in a way that I can be anything I want. And there is so much magic in that because I feel like so many people lose that at a really young age.

Erin Hawley:

Mhmm.

Oliver Scheier:

You know, some someone or someone's in their life tell them no. Must be a bit more realistic. But at at 19, I still feel like I can do anything, and I don't ever intend on stopping that feeling. But it's because of her and my dad, and their ongoing and everlasting support of me and my art. And yeah. I don't know.

Lily Newton:

I love that. I wanna hear more about your art. Like we said, we and I'm glad you say that because I think it's an important thing because we often you know, it it can be easy to, like, pick the story, which is, like, what your mom has done. But, no, you're writing a new story as well, and it is both. You can love being Mindy Scheier's son without wanting your life to be that you're someone's son. I think that's very fair. So, yeah, like Erin said, we watched your short film. It is so aligned with this podcast and what we're trying to do. Can you tell us a little bit about, like, deciding to make that, what that process was like?

Oliver Scheier:

Yeah. So, just off the bat, like, Rita Page is my child. That thing that thing is, like, it's the the hardest I've ever worked on anything in my life besides for, like, a school project. But even that, it's it didn't this came out of passion and heart. And I I remember, and I I honestly forgot about this moment for a long time. And then in the process of making the film, I remembered it. I was at my friend's house, and I was sleeping over. And he, like, got tired, and he went to bed. And I was just kinda hanging out on the couch. So, I was sitting there. He went to bed, and I went to stand up. And for, like, a little bit, I just couldn't, you know, because it was, like, super low. And, I mean, that is freaky. Like, that's crazy. I'm I'm 19, and I I and I'm thinking about shit that people think about when they're fucking 80 years old. That's crazy. That's crazy. And, also, like, in the nature of my condition is that it's degenerative. So, like, I'm watching my body, like, decline in a way. Not to be pessimistic, but, and I remember, like, I got up, and I went to bed. And I just remember searching and searching for anything about disability that was not centered around disability. And what I mean by that is I saw so many videos about how do I live with my disability. I suffer with my disability. I only I've got disability. I wanna know what's your favorite food. You know? Favorite food. What's your like, you know, I wanna I mean, why do we listen to sad music? Because we wanna relate to something. We wanna feel seen. And I needed that in that moment, but I didn't have that. So being a filmmaker prior to that moment, I was I said to myself, I'm gonna make it. What? Like, I that's such a I feel like that's my mom talking in a way. Like, not sitting and being like, shit. Nothing exists. So I guess I'm gonna, you know, sit and wait. No. Never. So I did, and I was just so excited for the opportunity to explore people alongside their disability because I never wanted to negate the disability because it's so important to who we are as y'all know. Like, we would never be who we are without it. But at the same time, like, I need I needed something to be like, oh, she she doesn't like lazy people either or, like, she likes tomatoes and salt. You know? I don't know. It's just but, everyone should watch it.

Lily Newton:

Everyone should watch it. It's really, really great. And I as a filmmaker, I can say it's it's beautifully made. Like, it's a really beautiful short. And yeah. Thanks. Mhmm.

Erin Hawley:

Yeah. I do love how the focus well, in in its own way, because it wasn't focused about disability specifically. It also was because you're seeing authentic disability representation without it, like, flashing disability in your face, and I just really loved that. And what Lily said, it was really beautifully shot, and I love all the people that you interviewed. How did you get how did you choose who is gonna be in the video?

Oliver Scheier:

Well, first, thanks for your kind words. It just like, it it means so much because, as you guys know, when you make something, it means so much to you. But then when other people share that, it's, like, crazy. How did I find them? I was so fortunate to, my gamut being a talent management company by made by my mom, I was I mean, it was so easy, to be honest. I they gave me a website of their all of their talent, and I went through with my mom, and we talked about people and, like, people that stood out to me and how I wanted to be very intentional with the ways in which I chose to be representative. I in no way was I gonna, like, be contradictory and, like, choose all white people. That'd be that'd be crazy. You know what I mean? That'd be so fucking hypocritical. So, like, we were just so intentional about, a, how they looked on the outside. But then when we zoomed in and my mom could tell me, oh, this person is amazing, such a strong, vibrant personality, then I could be like, oh, they're the one. Like, for example, Mariah. I had met I I've known Mariah for a while. So, like, she was an immediate lock for me. But I was like, I need I need you in it because she is such a, as you know, from the film, she's such a vibrant and funny and, like, interesting personality. I remember, like, she hers was so hard to cut down because every bit was useful and something that should be heard as was the case for everyone, but, like, she I don't know. I love them all. But so yeah.

Lily Newton:

Yeah. You did an amazing job picking, like like you said, a very, like, widely representative group, but also just people who are really fun to watch on screen and, like, really vibrant personalities. And I think that, yeah. Like Erin said, it's, like, it's not about disability, but it's it's also, like, is disability in the way of showing that, like, yeah, we have regular lives and hobbies and interests. And, like, I really love the moment when you capture the phone call from her boyfriend, and she's like, oh, yeah. He his lunch break is a little earlier than mine. Mhmm. So we always call each other during the overlap. And it's, like, just cute sweet moments of human, like, humanity and love. And, like, it's just really nice. And I think that you, did such a good job with that. And so making that film, did you learn anything new about yourself, like, doing those interviews or talking with those people?

Oliver Scheier:

I learned that I don't need to be in front of the camera all of the time, which is so important to me to be I love being in front of a camera, I mean, selfishly. I love it. I think it's sick. But there's also such a beauty to being behind and artistically being able to paint the picture that I want instead of having to, like, act and then see the scene and then go back and forth and just continue to flip. So I learned that, like, I actually do, like, only directing as well. Not it wasn't was not a moment of, like, oh, I I only wanna direct. No. But, yeah, I also I didn't learn this, but it was just a reaffirmation of the power of being surrounded by other people like you. Because, I mean, I would other than Mariah, everyone else I had met for the first time. And so, it was it was so nice to meet them, but, also, we spoke a language no one else could understand. Like like, Tiffany would say something like, I know you know, and I would be like, yeah. I do know. And and that's such a comforting comforting feeling that, like, I bet you guys experience on this podcast of it's a conversation, one that you completely understand.

Erin Hawley:

Yeah. That is definitely part of the reason why we even started the podcast is to build that community and have that automatic understanding Mhmm. With our guests. And every time we and Lily, we got to know each other and have that shared experience even though our disabilities are very different.

Lily Newton:

Yeah. I really like the way you phrase that, Oliver, is like the you already spoke the same language. That's such a good way to put it because that is, like, the sense of kind of ease that I feel like when you're in community with people who, you know, everyone with even if you have the same disability, it's a very different experience. But just being in the world of disability, there is a language and an understanding. So I think that's really beautiful. And and it shows in your short, like, you it shows the way that everyone felt very comfortable and didn't feel like they were trying to, like, portray a certain image of disability, but rather were just being themselves on screen because they clearly felt comfortable with the filmmaker. So I think you were really successful in that and in capturing that authenticity, comfort, ease on screen. Really, really impressive work.

Oliver Scheier:

Thank you so much. Thanks.

Lily Newton:

So this is an exciting week for you. You're going back to school this week. You're moving in. We're recording this in mid August. I think it'll come out pretty soon after we record, but, very exciting. We obviously wanna hear about your education experience. It's back to school time for our listeners, so I think it's exciting because so often when you talk about back to school, especially when it's related to disability, you just talk about, like, young kids, like, babies starting school or toddlers or 1st graders. But, like, education goes well into adulthood.

Lily Newton:

So I think it's really important for us to share your perspective on this podcast. Are you how are you feeling going back to campus?

Oliver Scheier:

I'm excited. I'm so excited to see my friends and everyone that I've made some sort of connection with. It's all it's all about the people, honestly, in just a broader scheme of life as well, but especially at college. If not for the people, it would just be a a place. You know? But I'm excited to go back. I'm excited to get into the swing of things right away, kind of. Because last year when I was a freshman, everything was new. It was so scary. I was like, oh my god. What do I what the fuck do I do? I mean, you're on your own for, like, the first time ever. It's crazy. You gotta, like, wake yourself up and and feed yourself. That's crazy. But but I'm excited to go back and see my friends and party. I'm girl girls too. I've missed it. I've missed it. I have not I wanted to party a bit more this summer, but the wind blew me another way. I needed to, like, breathe, which I love, and I'm not upset about it. But, I'm ready to dance.

Lily Newton:

I love that. I have been thinking, like, I'm so jealous of all of you that get to be in college bars in the era of brat.

Oliver Scheier:

You fucking said it, girl. You said it. No. Literally.

Lily Newton:

You're gonna you're gonna dance so much.

Oliver Scheier:

You? You, like, that ass took the words out of my mouth. I was just about to say it because, like, to be so honest, I wanted to my dream this summer was to dance in the club to Brad. But, like, again, the wind blew me another way, which is okay. But I'm fully attracting, many moments in which I'm at the bar at the club, and I hear Charlie and I freak the fuck out. That album is album of the year, to be so honest. I don't think any any work of music has had the cultural significance and, like, revolutionary nature of that that album. She is changing everything.

Erin Hawley:

Yeah. You're not very old. Yes. I I've heard of that. I don't know what it is. But, like, I Yeah.

Lily Newton:

Oh, Erin, we gotta get you we gotta get you in in brat world. You gotta listen to it.

Erin Hawley:

Who sings it?

Lily Newton:

Charli XCX.

Erin Hawley:

I don't know what it is.

Lily Newton:

Who has been, vibing for a long time. She's been you would know some of her older hits, like, from a decade ago. Mhmm. But she just re oh my god. This album is so good. You're gonna have so much fun. I love that, like, that's what you're most excited for going back to school is, like, friends and dancing to the cultural zeitgeist. Like, let's go.

Oliver Scheier:

Exactly. But, Erin, get into it, girl. Like, front to back, listen, it is oh, so fucking good.

Lily Newton:

It's it's very, very good.

Erin Hawley:

I am. You are in college? The year I turned 21 is the year they closed the bar on campus. So I was very upset.

Lily Newton:

Devastating. Devastating.

Oliver Scheier:

That's so fucked up.

Lily Newton:

I know. That's really messed up. When I was in college, the the campus had, like, a you only had to be 19 to get into the bars even if you couldn't drink, which was really cool. And that was a blast. And I feel like this is a good, like, plug for bar owners to make their bars accessible

Erin Hawley:

Yeah.

Lily Newton:

Because disabled people wanna party. We wanna dance. If your dance floor is inaccessible, that's excluding a whole group of people who love to dance.

Oliver Scheier:

Later on. Because, I mean, with the nature of mind is to oh my. Sorry. My friend from college blown up my phone. The nature of my disability, I can get into places with help. But, like, one time I saw it was the coolest experience, for I saw a woman in a wheelchair, and she was in that bar. She was dancing. And I definitely did wonder, like, how did this happen? Like or or, like, how how did she get in? Because there is a step to get in. But it was so cool. Like, fuck yeah. We wanna dance. Are you kidding me?

Lily Newton:

Yeah. And if they got rid of that step, I'm sure you'd see way more people. Like, it's that self fulfilling prophecy of being like, well, people in wheelchairs don't wanna come to this. And it's like, no. No. That's not the case. They're not coming because it's inaccessible.

Erin Hawley:

Right.

Lily Newton:

I think college campuses in general, what what, like, what was your experience in terms of, like, disability support on campus? Did you use that at all freshman year?

Oliver Scheier:

Oh, 100%. I Tulane is so amazing in having resources there for people that need. Not not gonna say it's perfect. I don't there's few places in our entire world that are perfect. Mhmm. But what they are perfect at is saying we are here for you. Express what you need. We will be there for you. And that meant so much to me as a freshman going into a new environment just in general, but also, like, to have someone that would be there to listen and to hear and to change help me change, the the campus and the places that it needed. It was incredible, and and I think that's all it takes, someone to say I hear you. We will do better. Mhmm. That's all it takes. What about I wanna hear from you guys because I'm, again, the post ADA. I wanna what was it like for you?

Lily Newton:

Well, I went to the University of Illinois, and they are known as one of the first universities with, like, a full disability studies program, so I felt very lucky. I actually got my ADHD diagnosis, which eventually led to my autism diagnosis on campus. They had a really amazing disability resource center that I kind of stumbled into because I was experiencing what I now realize was autistic burnout. And I'm so, so, so grateful to the college professor who gave me the little card and was like, I think you need to go talk to the disability resource people because they are supportive. But like you said, Oliver, it's like, it's not perfect. So it is a group of people who are there to help you, but you do have to advocate for yourself. And I'm so grateful at least for me, and it it I'm so grateful for that professor who was like, go advocate for yourself. And I was having really intense panic attacks before, like, exams, and I realized it was partially because sitting in a large exam room with, like, the sound of people's pencils and chewing gum and coughing and all like, it was just sensory overwhelm for me. So I was what I was thinking was a panic attack was actually, like, I was having, like, a meltdown based on this sensory overwhelm.

Erin Hawley:

Yeah.

Lily Newton:

And I just, you know, one day explained that to one of the disability resource people, and they were like, girl, we got you. You can come take your test here. Like, you can come take them in a small room and wear noise canceling headphones, and it's fine. And it was a game changer. Like, I suddenly was able to get much better grades, but it did take me advocating for myself. But that's maybe because I didn't go on to campus knowing I was disabled. I was figuring that out during my time there. So

Erin Hawley:

Yeah.

Lily Newton:

Interested to hear, Erin, what yours was what your experience was like, especially going to college in a time when I mean, people still have assumptions that disabled people aren't gonna go to college, but I feel like when you went to college, Erin, that was even stronger.

Erin Hawley:

Yeah. I was the only I was friends with, like, the only other visibly disabled person on campus. But, yeah, I started college for reach of 911. Yeah. And, that was intense. Mhmm. Especially because where I live, you have a lot of, like, people who commute into the city. But, like yeah. But as far as disability, I had a ton of ableist professors to the point where I started out as a biology major, and the teacher I had hated me for no reason other than I needed help in labs. Mhmm. And she gave me a hard time beginning to end, and she was the head of the biology department. So I just gave up. I'm like, I'm switching majors. This is horrible. And the me of today would not have done that. But the me I was 18 years old. I didn't know shit about, like, my rights. Really, I didn't know that. But, yeah, it was very different because we had a disability department, but it was really difficult to get any support. Because the ADA at that point was, what, like, 8 years old or something. Right? 11. 3.

Lily Newton:

11 years old if you if you were in 2001. Right?

Erin Hawley:

Isn't that 8? Wait. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Lily Newton:

Was it 1990?

Erin Hawley:

Isn't it, like, Amazon? Why in 1993? Yes. You're correct.

Lily Newton:

Look at me and all my stuff. Yeah. And, like, a decade feels like a long time, but it's not enough to change, like, buildings and campus structures.

Erin Hawley:

No. And my campus was is is very it was not very more. It was historical. Oh, yeah. Like, my English department was in have you ever seen Annie in the musical?

Lily Newton:

I have not.

Erin Hawley:

Like, Annie?

Lily Newton:

I mean, I know of Annie.

Erin Hawley:

Okay. I'm old, I guess. But they filmed that daddy Roybucks house was filmed on my campus, and that's where I have all my classes.

Oliver Scheier:

Wait.

Erin Hawley:

So it's very miserable, but it has an elevator. An old tiny elevator Okay. To get to, like, close the gate. It was fun. I like it.

Oliver Scheier:

That's crazy. I like, when you first said that, I thought you meant, like, the Broadway news to come play.

Erin Hawley:

The movie.

Oliver Scheier:

I mean, obviously, that movie is iconic. I've seen that one. That's crazy.

Erin Hawley:

Yeah.

Lily Newton:

That's crazy. Yeah.

Erin Hawley:

And the library was like I had to go in through the basement and all the, like, past the the furnaces Ugh. Just to get into the library because they didn't have a ramp out front.

Lily Newton:

And, I mean, that's still an issue. We just talked to Jenna Bainbridge, the Broadway actress, and she was talking about how, like, it's a mind shift of that, like, buildings need to change the way that they, like, prioritize their accessible entrances because often it's like, by the dumpster. It's like, why would I wanna enter there?

Oliver Scheier:

Yeah. Yeah.

Lily Newton:

How, what's the, like, disability culture like on your campus, Oliver? Like, did you feel like you met other disabled people through that, or have you just been able to make lots of friends regardless?

Oliver Scheier:

Tiny culture.

Lily Newton:

Tiny.

Oliver Scheier:

Tiny culture. I counting a professor with a disability, I would say there was 5 people, including myself, out of a 14,000 person campus. It's a little crazy or with visible disabilities, I guess. But I don't know. I I and see, it's weird because unspoken bond again, obviously. But at the same time, I'm I'm a firm believer you don't become friends with someone solely because of one facet of your identity.

Lily Newton:

Absolutely.

Oliver Scheier:

For example, disability and, like, I think that's unfair to everyone involved. You know? Because it's not right to almost dehumanize yourself to say that, like, we are only friends because we have disabilities, and the fact that we are low key not alike, that should be pushed aside. Obviously, it's good to be friends, but, like, best friends, I I I look for deeper qualities in that. So all of my best friends at college are able-bodied, but I don't see it as a separation at all. And she's they're just my friends, and I'm just their friend. Like, it doesn't I mean, we've even talked about it, and they say, like, I don't even they don't even think about it. Obviously, they they are visible of me and my identity as a person with this and disability, and we talk about it. But I'm I'm not their disabled friend.

Lily Newton:

Right. It's not like a tokenizing kind of situation. And and and it goes back to what we started this interview with talking about just like that we live in a world where disability is a lot more normalized, luckily. So it isn't, like, wild for these people to have a disabled friend. It's not like, woah. This is a new thing. Like, I would hope that many people have had many disabled friends throughout their lifetime even if they didn't realize it. I mean, 1 in 4 Americans has a disability.

Lily Newton:

Like, you've you've there we exist and we have friends.

Oliver Scheier:

Yeah. And I mean, sorry.

Lily Newton:

No. You're good. I'm doing. Yeah. We'll do it. No. I wanna know more about, like, did you when you were deciding where you wanted to go to school, did you look into what the, like, supports were going to be, available to you, or what was it that made you decide to go to school there?

Oliver Scheier:

It was my mom, just to be frank. I was totally into, like, weather and area, but accessibility wasn't on my mind, which should have been on my mind. Not

Lily Newton:

Moms are fine.

Oliver Scheier:

Is the only thing, obviously. But, she was the one who suggested Tulane because it was had one of the best accessibility of college campuses in the country. So she was like, let's just go see, like, no commitments. You know? And I was like, okay. Fine. Free trip or whatever. But then the second I got there, it was so hard not to fall in love and and just to see the people and the diverse cultures on campus and the beauty of the campus and the educational opportunities provided, it was it was a lot of things. The accessibility definitely was a factor, but that was my mom thinking more about it.

Lily Newton:

Well, that makes sense that she'd want her child to, like, be safe and cared for.

Oliver Scheier:

Yeah.

Lily Newton:

Well, that's amazing, though. It's it's really great that you were able to find a place that, like, fit your accessibility needs and, you know, your mom could sleep at night knowing that you're gonna have resources if you needed them, and you were able to find a school that fit for you. Like, it wasn't just, oh, I have to go here because it's the only school that's gonna be accessible to me, which unfortunately still does happen. And, yeah, I think that it's I think it's really cool that you, like, got get the supports you need while also just, like, loving your educational experience.

Oliver Scheier:

Yeah. Me too. Yeah. I'm so I'm just so lucky. And for me, it's important to recognize that that I have the ability and the privilege to get the best of both worlds, but, also, as you said, there are not a lot of people that do get that. So I don't know. I I'm a firm firm believer that with any fortune or privilege you receive in your life, do not be ignorant to the fact that there's so many people out there that don't have that. If anything, I think it's a responsibility of people in places of privilege and fortune to work so that more people can experience that. Everyone can experience that.

Lily Newton:

Absolutely. And I mean, that like, you're doing that already with, like, even your filmmaking. Like, you felt an experience of, like, wow. I feel alone in this experience, and I know it's I'm not, so I'm gonna make that. And now, you know, there's some kid sitting on the couch feeling the same thing you felt that when they go to YouTube, they'll be able to find your movie and actually feel like, wow. I'm not alone in this, and that's really incredible. And, I mean, you used the privilege you had of being able to, you know, work with all the people who work with Gamut and tell their story. I think that's really incredible. And I think that, you know, from this back to school perspective, if you are an educator, I think it's really important to do what Oliver said and, like, use all the privileges you have to try to make education more accessible. So whether that's, like, inch you know, if you work on a college campus, ensuring that you have a disability resource center and that it's easy for students to find, I think that's super important. And I'm just so glad that you are excited to go back to school. Like, that's such a good feeling. I wish you the best for this year. We're out of time, but I wanna close out this interview with, like, do you have any advice or anything you want to say to other people who are going back to school? Maybe they're anxious for the start of the year or just anything like that. Do you have any thoughts for those people?

Oliver Scheier:

Yeah. Let me give a 2 part answer because they do. For the people who aren't going back to school in any sort of foreign not physically foreign, but foreign environment, going to their freshman year of college, 1st year of high school, or a new place, any any new environment, find your people. Follow your heart and find the people that light you up and see your light and appreciate it. Because if not for my friends and the connections that I made, I I would not be as excited as as I am. So friends, find the friends. They will you will find each other. It's not one-sided at all. And when you do find each other, that's when you know it's right. So friends. And to the people that are not in that situation. I'm just going back into it. Enjoy it. Come on now. Like, this shit is fleeting. Every moment is fleeting. That's a kinda scary way to look at it, but it's true. Enjoy every single moment, even the monotonous, the mundane. I think it's so important to appreciate every single moment of this life because nothing is guaranteed. This this life is not promised at all. And, it is the joy and the peace and the happiness and the love that we bring with us. So live it, baby, and let's do it. You know? I don't know. Have fun. Be in love. Who not? Why not?

Erin Hawley:

I love it.

Lily Newton:

That's a perfect way to end this episode. I'm so excited for your year this year. I hope you have an easeful move in process. And to all of our listeners, happy back to school season. I hope you have a if you're if you're going back to school, whether it's high school, college, pursuing higher education, I hope some listeners are getting their PhDs, doing very cool stuff. We are rooting for you here at Everything You Know. And, Oliver, it has been such a joy to chat with you.

Oliver Scheier:

Likewise. You guys are amazing. I'm so grateful for you. And this was fun. This was like a conversation.

Erin Hawley:

It was so fun.

Lily Newton (commercial segment):

This is a podcast brought to you by Easterseals.

Erin Hawley(commercial segment):

You know, we actually work for Easterseals, but maybe our listeners don't know what we do.

Lily Newton(commercial segment):

That's true. Easterseals is leading the way to full access, equity, and inclusion for disabled people and their families.

Erin Hawley(commercial segment):

And did you know we've been doing this for more than a century?

Lily Newton(commercial segment):

This includes helping disabled people find meaningful employment and addressing health care needs for all ages.

Erin Hawley(commercial segment):

We're proud to serve communities across the country and ready for the next 100 years. For more, check out easterseals.com.