Get Inspired By Maysoon Zayid, An Arab American Comedian with Cerebral Palsy

By SheSpeaksTeam Apr 03, 2014

Maysoon Zayid is a disabled Arab-American comedian who believes that laughter is the best medicine. At the beginning of her recent TED talk, she told her audience, "I have cerebral palsy. I shake all the time. I'm like Shakira meets Muhammad Ali."

In her fourteen minute talk, while sitting alone on a stage, she explains how her illness developed in infancy, how her father taught her to walk with her heels on his feet, how she became an actress, stand-up comic, phllanthropist and advocate....despite all her obstacles. Zayid also tells us not to feel sorry for her, or any disabled person, for that matter. Everyone has talent and power, regardless of their setbacks. "I've got 99 problems and Palsy is just one" she assures her audience.

She's proud of her achievements, and deservedly so. She has tap danced on Broadway. She appeared in a film with Adam Sandler (You Don't Mess with the Zohar). She worked with her idol, Dave Matthews. She was a delegate representing New Jersey at the Democratic National Convention in 2000. She performed in front of Muhammed Ali. She's considered one of America's first Muslim women comedians.

The audience at the TED talk was raptured by Maysoon's composure, wit and intelligence, and you will be, too. We urge you to watch it for a big source of inspiration AND to learn more about Cerebral Palsy (54 seconds into the video).

Tell us - do you use humor as a tool for healing?

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Comments

by DrROMIE | OCOEE, FL

Apr 18, 2014

Thank you for sharing Maysoon's inspiring journey...

by funnygirl2014 | ROME, GA

Apr 08, 2014

wow she is amazing

by basilandcatnip | GARLAND, TX

Apr 07, 2014

Love TED, have been a fan for several years, even attending a TED event and watch video's on TED site regularly.

by itqtpie | DOYLESTOWN, PA

Apr 04, 2014

Looked up and watched the entire TED segment of her talk and it was funny and inspirational. I'm showing this to my daughter who is 14. I think she's amazing.

by cheryllo | Unsubscribe, FL

Apr 03, 2014

Wow, what an inspiration she is ! I think the old saying that laughter is the best medicine is true. It's really , really hard sometimes but enjoying yourself and laughing help relieve the stress you're under. When I see people like her I'm even more determined to laugh off my minor problems.

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