I interviewed Katherine Magnoli about The Adventures of KatGirl, her book about a wheelchair heroine, and Katherine’s journey from low self-esteem into authorial/radio success and ongoing advocacy for disabled people.

Leslie: Tell us about The Adventures of KatGirl. What were your personal experiences that went into the early books? What did you leave out from your experiences and why?

Katherine: Hi, Leslie! Thank you so much for having me as your guest. To answer your question, The Adventures of KatGirl has more of a significance to my personal story than one may think. 

First and foremost, I am a person with a disability who experienced quite a bit of bullying and ostracizing in a time when there was very little representation in the media of people within my community. This left me feeling alone and confused. 

Then, as luck would have it, after a period of self-destruction that landed on me on dialysis, I met a man who would give me an opportunity to help others by becoming a teacher assistant for children within in the Autism Spectrum. This had a profound effect on me and helped me to reaccept myself and reignite a fire to not only fight for my space but help others who feel unseen. 

This was when I decided to write a book series that could both educate and entertain children about the importance of inclusion for people with disabilities.

Leslie: How did the The Adventures of KatGirl change and develop as a series? Tell us about what you have learned about writing during the creation of these stories.

Katherine: The Adventures of KatGirl changed and developed throughout the series by shifting the focus from teaching the aggressor to accept us to us showing ourselves what we can do in spite of what the world says about us.

Leslie: What have been the high and low points of your disability advocacy? What changes have you helped to achieve and what individual honours have come your way?

Katherine: There have been many highs and lows throughout my disability advocacy. Regarding the highs, I would have to say that it always warms my heart to see the positive effect my book series has on children with and without disabilities and literally watching their “aha!” moments. 

The low points, I feel, can be summed up in times when I realize that there is still so much work to be done for people with disabilities to truly be accepted into society as an equal component and one that has a vital perspective to contribute. 

My work has received several accolades, including: titleholder of Ms. Wheelchair Florida 2017, the Idelio Valdez Leadership and Advocacy Award from Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, many proclamations from different municipalities throughout Miami Dade County (including Disability Pride and Spina Bifida Awareness months). Lastly, I am the Chairperson for the Commission of Disability Issues Board for Miami Dade County. 

Leslie: Can you describe, please, a selection of people featured in your Abilities Program – what were their disabilities and what were their remarkable achievements? How did you discover them?  

Katherine: The abilities program was a collection of sixteen people with various disabilities that excelled in their field of interest. 

Three examples are : Franklin D. Roosevelt who was president of the United States of America for twelve years whilst living with polio.

Another example is Stevie Wonder who lives with blindness and has been a musician for over 60 years and has been nominated for over 70 Grammy Awards. 

Lastly, Michael Jordan who is arguably the most remarkable basketball player of all time that excelled whilst living with ADHD. 

Leslie: Tell us about the making of your radio programme Behind the Chair. What was scripted and what happened at the time in the studio? 

Katherine: Behind the Chair was a wonderful program that was hosted by me and my close friend Douglas Longhini. He and I would do our weekly show that showcases people with disabilities who were out making the world more inclusive. For the most part, our show was unscripted. We felt that would make the conversation flow more authentically. 

Leslie: What are the main barriers to inclusion faced by people in wheelchairs? What examples can you give of yourself and others overcoming them? What were the factors that supported these successes?

Katherine: I would say the biggest barrier for inclusion is attitudinal. What I mean is, how people treat you when you’re out and about. An example, would be staring, pulling children away and telling them not to look or my least favorites “God Bless You!” or wheeling me without my permission. All of these, I believe, stem from lack of knowledge and fear. So, I take it up on myself to educate the people I meet along the way that fall under these descriptions.

Leslie: As a result of your campaigning, how do you see inclusion now? Who are the excluded? Why them? What have you been involved in to address this ‘wider audience?

Katherine: I have seen a great shift with how children respond to disability. Once they are introduced to KatGirl they immediately shift from fear and curiosity to admiration and wanting to know more. 

As for adults, not to get too political but, I see a very scary shift towards hatred and division and although it has been scary for myself and others in the disability community. It, along with my other personal struggles, has ignited a fire that was once a simple flame but it’s without a wild fire to fight for our spot in this country. It is not enough to allow us in your building we need to be invited to the table!

ABOUT LESLIE TATE’S BOOKS:

1. Love’s Register tells the story of romantic love and climate change over four UK generations. Beginning with ‘climate children’ Joe, Mia and Cass and ending with Hereiti’s night sea journey across Oceania, the book’s voices take us through family conflicts in the 1920s, the pressures of the ‘free-love 60s’, open relationships in the feminist 80s/90s and a contemporary late-life love affair. Love’s Register is a family saga and a modern psychological novel that explores the way we live now.
   • A signed copy of Love’s Register is available in pounds sterling here.
   • The paperback in other currencies is available here.                                                 
   • Ebook for Kindle in £s here and in $s here.                                                           
   • For other ebook reading devices here (all currencies). 
2. Heaven’s Rage is a memoir that explores addiction, cross-dressing, bullying and the hidden sides of families, discovering at their core the transformative power of words to rewire the brain and reconnect with life. “A Robin Red breast in a Cage / Puts all Heaven in a Rage” – William Blake. You can read more about/buy Heaven’s Rage here.
3. The Dream Speaks Back, written by Sue Hampton, Cy Henty and Leslie Tate, is a joint autobiography exploring imagination and the adult search for the inner child. The book looks at gender difference, growing up in unusual families and mental health issues. It’s also a very funny portrait of working in the arts, full of crazy characters, their ups and downs, and their stories. You can buy a signed copy of The Dream Speaks Back here.
4. Ways to be Equally Human tells the inside story of coming out as a non-binary person, from being ‘othered’ in gendered toilets to stepping up on stage & radio and taking action with Extinction Rebellion. Full of lyrical writing, humour and quirky insights, this is a book for lovers of language, nonconformists and passionate thinkers. You can buy a signed copy here.