Comic book heroine

Canadian graphic artist, Kuen Tang has many firsts under her belt: first quadriplegic woman to qualify as an elementary school teacher; first to try Functional Electrical Stimulation partnership rowing in North America; the only woman on Alberta’s “Murderball” team. And on the eighth anniversary of the accident that made her disabled she became the first quadriplegic to letter comics for DC Comics. Now she’s the first Canadian to answer our ten questions.

What’s the best thing about being disabled?
My newly enhanced ability to notice all the broken elevators, unnecessary steps, ultra-steep ramps, and overly-narrow doorways.

What funny things get said about your impairment?
Sometimes people ask me to simply “get up for just one second”

What makes you angry?
People parking right beside my van (where the ramp comes out) no matter how I park or what sign I place near my van to deter people from parking close.

If you were Prime Minister, what would you do to improve things for disabled people?
I would make Universal Design the standard for all building codes and all forms of communication (i.e. print, web, etc).

What invention could make your life better?
A wheelchair with Dr. Octopus arms.

What do you like most about creating comic strips?
I love the control. I can live my ideal life in a comic or I can use it to make a point or educate others through laughter. Check out my web comic at: zudacomics.com/absolute_magnitude

What do you like least about it?
Waiting. I am the letterer, so I am the last person in our creative team to get the script and the completed art pages.

Who’s your favourite disabled person ever?
Rick Hansen. He has the “can do” attitude which I admire and strive to achieve.

Do you have any special or hidden talents?
Many! I paint, draw, fold origami, learn more than one language at a time, multi-task, and turn wood. There isn’t anything I can’t do: I just need time to figure out how.

Can you sum yourself up in ten words or less?
Don’t let my disability scare you, let my ability impress you! (Sorry, that’s 11 words.)