About Erin Hawley
Hi! I’m Erin, the creator, writer, and editor of The Geeky Gimp. I’m disabled – Muscular Dystrophy, scoliosis, and anxiety. I am also cis and latina. I’m an accessibility consultant for analog and digital gaming. I adore Star Trek and Spock, and always have a Mariah Carey song on repeat.
About The Geeky Gimp
The Geeky Gimp started as my review blog in 2013; I focused on disability in comics, games, and TV shows. Since then, I’ve branched out onto social media, bringing a passion for all things geek and disability to those spaces. I also started a Twitch channel, and stream video games there a few times a week. You can also follow my channel on YouTube where I vlog about my life!
FAQs
Why did I choose to use the word GIMP, especially since it is generally considered a derogatory term for a disabled person? My use is an instance of word reclamation, which is when someone of a marginalized group uses terms that have been used negatively against them in order to turn the tables and make it something powerful. You can read more about it here.
I have a product I want you to review on the blog – how do I get it to you? Please read the Review Policy.
How can I get in touch with you? Just head on over to the “contact” page, or post a comment here.
How can I support The Geeky Gimp? You can donate on Patreon or Paypal, share the posts, share the website link, offer article ideas, purchase the games/movies reviewed through the Amazon links, or comment.
Where does donation money go? It’s used to maintain the website, hire transcribers for all audio content, and pay for equipment as needed.
Thank You
I want to shout out some amazing folks who have helped The Geeky Gimp become what it is today.
Noemi Martinez was the Communications and Outreach Manager here for a while, and helped me think of some creative ways to manage the blog. She’s always been a huge support, and I can’t possibly thank her enough. You can find her at Hermanx Resist Press.
Sherin, Day, and all the other fabulous women at Geek Girl Riot – thank you for your friendship and laughter.
Mids for being the absolute best life partner one could hope for. I am lucky.
And finally, BB – my favorite person in the world. My heart is full. I will play Human: Fall Flat with you until eternity if that’s what you want.
Read and really liked your post on the Killing Joke, and looking forward to reading more. I was struck by your mentioning this:
Just like how someone who is able bodied doesn’t wake up every morning and think about what they can do, I don’t wake up every morning and think about what I can’t do; my problems with disability stem from society and their reaction/treatment of me and people like me.
…because I’d just written about a similar concept a couple of days ago. Anyway, really looking forward to reading your work. 🙂
Thanks so much for the comment and kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed the Killing Joke review – it was fun to write, and I’m going to review more of that comic’s story line in future posts.
I just took a look at your blog, and I’ve bookmarked it for later reading. I know what you mean about being at a loss for words when people ask how your disability impacts your life. On the one hand, you’re like “how does it not? Where do I begin?” and on the other hand, you’re so used to the way things are that you don’t think of it as impacting your life because it is your life!
Thank you for taking the time to answer my tweet for reviewers Erin! =) I would be uber honoured if you looked at our game – I’ll do a blog post on it and it’s going through final playtesting in a month with a Kickstarter for August.
I’m no game guru and just recently discovered how much I like board games and, more importantly, the game community! =)
I am just re-discovering my love for Tabletop gaming too. (having been playing video & computer games for years.) It happened when I by sheer accident stumbled up Wil Wheaton’s video series Tabletop. I’m realized I have a lot of catching up to do.
Awesome. What games have you played recently, or what games are you interested in?
Me again, I see you mentioned ads. For a while, I tried Google ads on our OpenSim site and didn’t like the ads served up (none were bad, but they weren’t in tune with the readers). Then I did “manual ads” where I placed a text widget in the sidebar with a link to the advertiser’s site. You can see a similar thing on that site http://iliveisl.com/ and it’s the upper left image of a tree that says SoaS
That worked out okay while we were active and we had up to three ads that people paid $20 dollars a month for (in 6 month cycles to keep it from being a mess).
If you want more info, even the HTML I used, just ask. Heck, depending on what your rates are, I might want an ad here myself! =)
Hi David! Thanks for the comments. I’ll send you an e-mail in a few minutes, and we can discuss the ad stuff 🙂 Plus, I’m really looking forward to reviewing your pirate game. I love that everything fits in a tin box!
Hi
I was just recently made aware of your blog and I love it. I’m poring through it all now and wanted to say “Great job and Thank you!”
Thank you so much! Glad you’re enjoying it.
Hi
I am so thrilled so see such an amazing work and passion on your website. Congratulations on such an amazing job, keep at it. 😀
You’re an example to everyone
Thank you!
Hi Erin (which by the way is where I come from) discovered your blog today and have enjoyed what I have found here. Keep up the good work – I am a printmaker but also a disabled bod……..but like you, I do my “damnedist” to keep on keeping on. Just joined as a subscriber.
best wishes
Aine
Thanks for reading and I’m glad you enjoyed! Happy to have you as a subscriber.
Dear Erin, I came across your website quite by accident. I found a box of letters from the ’70’s while cleaning out my garage. There was a letter from my young nephew who was very excited that he just got an “Attire” which I assumed was an Atari. I did a web search to remind me what the heck those things were. That led me to one of your posts. Wow. Forget Atari. You are awesome. So happy you are in the world. S.
Hi Susan – thank you so much! That’s the best way anyone has found my blog, thanks for sharing that with me 🙂
Dear Erin, I’ve just found your blog and work because of the link to it in the article “Why the World Needs More Disabled Superheroes” on folks.pillpack.com. You had a featured quote, “I think I could have used someone like me in comics growing up—it would have made the transition to being proud of myself as a disabled woman much easier.” Well said!
Have you elaborated anywhere on Human: Fall Flat? I have a metaphorical version in mind, with a growth mindset approach to persevering.
Best Regards,
Kathleen Ann Porter
Erin I love your site and blog. I just happened to stumble on it seeking an understanding of what it meant to “disable button mashing and quick time events”. Do you do any commercial accessibility work outside of gaming?
Hi Pete! Thanks for the comment – I’m glad you like my blog. I do work on disability representation outside of gaming, and have consulted on event accessibility. I’ve also worked on XR access.
Hey Erin,
I came across your blog in researching for an assignment that I’m doing in school about disability in the media. You are truly amazing, and I’m certain that you’re an inspiration to a lot of people both abled and disabled. Keep changing the world, one blog at a time because it’s incredible what you’re doing.
Thank you for making my day just that much better,
– Shelby
Thank you!
Hi Erin. Cousin Danny here. There are no words in the English language that I can use to express how proud your entire family is of you. Keep up the good work Love you
Thank you so much! Love you too!
I find this really cool that you are addressing the issue of disability in comics, fanfiction, and what not, I think it is about time we bring everyone together. the world is unique let us enjoy the diversity. Thanks girl!