Showing results by narrator "Kelly Brennan" in All Categories

The year is 1995, and my parents have finally allowed me to take the summer to tour in a VW van across the country with my boyfriend, Evan, and our band. Yes, my dream to be a singer became reality. Even with Clarissa, Evan’s jealous ex-girlfriend, as the lead singer, it’s my presence on stage that led us to a major record deal. There are moments you’ll always remember in life, but I can’t imagine anything more cool than hearing your song on the radio for the first time. But being a rock star isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Everything changed when the police officer knocked on the door to tell me – a 16-year-old – that my older sister Kristen had died of a brain aneurysm. Cue the start of my parents neglecting me and my whole life spiraling out of control. I decided now was the perfect time to skip town. It’s the early '90s: Kurt Cobain ran the grunge music scene and I just experienced some serious trauma. What’s a girl supposed to do?

I can’t talk. I can’t walk. I’m alive, but am I living? My name is Lily Cooper, and I have cerebral palsy. I can’t seem to control my muscles. My body refuses to cooperate. I may be confined to my wheelchair, but my mind is sharp, and I’m stubborn as hell. I will not allow my disability to define me. I will pave my own path in life. I choose strength. I choose to live.

Robert Kelly wants to be mature enough to own a sword. He tells the crowd about gay men being good neighbors, being too connected to a woman, and video games being a 37-year-old's obsession. Then, Nick Thune unleashes observations to the thoughtful strumming of his guitar. Finally, Neal Brennan soberly covers the bases of conversational comedy - and he's dressed for it.