Cerebral palsy is no joke, yet Josh Blue keeps fans laughing

Ashten Haswell

Josh Blue, winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing in season 4 and U.S. Paralympic soccer player, performed at the Kent State University Ballroom Monday during disAbility Awareness Month. Blue joked with audience members and a sign language translator who wa

Credit: DKS Editors

While performing on college campuses, comedian Josh Blue said he gets asked the same question at least once: “I want to know what you’re on.”

“You want my seizure medication? That will be $7,” Blue joked.

More than 700 people packed the Student Center Ballroom last night for an appearance by Blue, a comedian with cerebral palsy.

Blue came to Kent State to perform as part of this year’s disAbility Awareness Month celebrations.

Blue was the winner of the fourth season of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” in 2006 and has turned his disability into the force behind his comedy routines.

“I told my wife when she was pregnant that she should have twins, so I could have a practice baby,” Blue said.

Blue also plays on the U.S. Paralympic soccer team and is sponsored by Nike. Blue said he had to decide between Nike and Adidas.

“The deciding factor was because of, well, this (pointing to his arm) — I was born with a swoosh.”

With the election being only a week away, Blue also joked about the candidates.

“When John McCain goes out into the sun, he’s translucent,” Blue said. “He scares the shit out of the secret service guys.”

Halfway through his performance, Blue held a question and answer session. When a member of the audience asked what he would name Sarah Palin’s next baby, Blue responded by saying “I wouldn’t let her have one. I’d tell her to take care of the litter she already has.”

No matter the question, Blue made sure his response was funny. Blue said the best part of being a comedian is that it’s fun.

“Have you ever heard that laughter is the best medicine?” he asked the crowd, “Well, then shouldn’t I be better by now?”

People of all ages came out to see Blue perform; Some even drove for more than an hour. Jennifer Jackson, who is attending Kent State for her doctorate in special education, made the trip with some co-workers to see the show.

“As part of my rehab-rehabilitation class we had to choose an event to attend as part of disAbility month,” Jackson said.

Others wanted to see Blue because of the cost.

“Its free,” said Abbie Morneault, freshman integrated math major. “I also had seen him on Last Comic Standing and was looking forward to him coming here.”

Members of Student Accessibility Services were pleased with the turnout at last night’s event.

“Tonight was amazingly successful,” Mollie Miller, adaptive technology coordinator for Student Accessibility Services, said “I also think this year’s disAbility Awareness Month was really on par with our goals and that it went fabulously. We’re not sure how we will ever top this one.”

Contact student affairs reporter Ashten Haswell at [email protected].