Black Disability History: Past, Present, & Future.

Henry Heard was born in Memphis on November 10, 1924. From a young age, he loved music and found inspiration from watching a famous dancer named Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. Heard started dancing at six and was performing in nightclubs by the age of 14. In 1939, he was in a car when a train crashed into it at a crossing without guards, causing him to lose his arm and leg.

Although his new disability presented a challenge, Heard refused to give up his dream of dancing. He was encouraged by a friend to train again, and he eventually became a solo dancer in nightclubs and shows.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Heard was well-known in various venues across the United States and Canada, entertaining audiences with his innovative dancing. He appeared in a movie called "Boarding House Blues" in 1948 and on a television variety show called "You Asked for It" in the 1950s. Black entertainers had limited Hollywood, television, and music opportunities at that time. Heard’s performances would start with him dancing using a crutch. Less than a minute later, he would throw his crutch offstage and continued to dance.

Heard, would visit hospitals, and participate in community events, challenging stereotypes about people with disabilities. He challenged the idea that people with disabilities couldn't live fulfilling lives. He proudly used the term "crip" as his stage name, reclaiming it from being an insult. He also volunteered with organizations supporting people with disabilities and encouraged others in his community to follow their dreams.

Heard eventually settled in Chicago, where he had a family and worked various jobs. He faced numerous challenges, including surviving a violent robbery and healing after a severe fall. Still, he continued to advocate for people with disabilities until he died in 1991.

Heard's legacy lives on through contemporary artists redefining dance and disability, making performances more inclusive for everyone.

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