CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Next month is Dysautonomia Awareness Month — various forms of this autonomic dysfunction affect over 70 million people worldwide.
One of them is a Chicago-based performer, writer and advocate for people with disabilities.
It happened quickly for Meredith Wells and during their freshman year of college, they were sick. By their sophomore year, while studying musical theatre, Wells was using a wheelchair. They were diagnosed with autonomic dysfunction, which affects nonvoluntary body functions, like your heart rate and sweating.
After years of performing, the mysterious illness had doctors telling Wells they'd likely never dance again. But "never" isn't in their vocabulary.
They wrote and starred in their own musical about their disability. Wells learned how to dance sitting down.
When Wells was studying costume design, they noticed that quick-change clothing that actors wear onstage was easy to take on and off, making it accessible for people with disabilities.
They kept that information in the back of their mind. When the pandemic shut theaters down and Wells couldn't perform anymore, they got to focus on clothing. Now, Wells has co-founded an inclusive clothing line called "Social Surge," designing clothes for people of all identities and abilities.
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