Ashley King is a dynamo: an actor, playright, storyteller and survivor. With a story that runs an unthinkable gauntlet from methanol poisoning to theatrical performance, the award-winning Mexican-Canadian, legally blind actor and playwright will blow your mind.
Ashley is based in Mohkinstsis (the Blackfoot name for Calgary, Alberta). In her artistic practice, she advocates for and centres her work around equal representation, accessibility and inclusion.
Listen along as Jenna and Ashley speak candidly and passionately about sharing diverse, authentic experiences and pushing for better inclusion and accessibility in their advocacy work from each of their corners of Canada.
“It was like the biggest therapy project because I really dived into what it was like to go blind. And every single night I would get up on stage and cry to a whole new audience about what happened to me.
Ashley King
But also I really used humour to cope with my experience to get through the darker moments. So, although the play I wrote is, inevitably, a little bit sad, I tired to keep it as light as possible – and keep the laughs coming…
I took the darkest, most depressing thing that’s ever happened to me and I wanted to turn it into the most positive, fun thing that I could do that would hopefully bring joy to other people despite it being a sad story at times.”
About this Episode
Episode Title: Spotlight on Representation: Putting Disability Center Stage with Ashley King (S1E5)
Episode Summary: In this episode of Finding Avalon, Jenna Barnable speaks with Ashley King, a Mexican-Canadian visually impaired actor, playwright, and advocate. Ashley shares her harrowing experience of surviving methanol poisoning, which left her with significant vision loss.
The conversation explores the importance of raising awareness about methanol poisoning, the impact of vision loss on identity and career, and the role of art as a form of advocacy.
Ashley discusses her autobiographical play, ‘Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir,’ and emphasizes the need for accessibility and authentic representation in the arts. The episode concludes with reflections on the misconceptions surrounding disability and the power of storytelling.
Takeaways from this Episode
- Ashley King survived methanol poisoning, which left her visually impaired.
- Methanol poisoning is often unrecognized and can often be fatal.
- Art can serve as a powerful form of advocacy and healing.
- Accessibility in the arts is crucial for inclusion.
- Representation of disabled individuals in media is often lacking.
- Diverse stories need to be told.
- Disability should not and does not define a person’s entire identity.
- Creative solutions are essential for overcoming accessibility challenges.
- Storytelling can fight stigma and change perceptions about disability.
- Misconceptions about disability can lead to harmful stereotypes.
- Everyone has the right to a fulfilling life, regardless of disability.
- “Most people do die from it (methanol poisoning).”
- “Accessibility isn’t just a ramp.”
- “Disability inclusion is a human right.”
Listen to Episode 5 here
Episode 5: Ashley King is available wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for supporting a disabled creator with a follow, share, comment, like and rate!
Learn more
- Ashley King website
- Static: A Party Girl’s Memoir Podcast
- Static preview:
Accessibility: All episodes have been uploaded with transcripts, but if you need an additional format, contact Jennifer.
Jennifer Barnable: Storyteller, Disability Advocate 
Leave a comment