Milwaukee, WI

'Anything you do with your hands I can do with my feet': Navigating life without using your hands

Published

3 months ago

November 7, 2024

'Anything you do with your hands I can do with my feet': Navigating life without using your hands

MILWAUKEE — “I have people come up to me on the street and say, ‘Good for you for getting out in the world.’ Like that’s not normal. I’m just a person.”

Ebony Lewis is just a Milwaukee East Sider who loves art, theater, and her dog. She especially loves to paint. However, she can’t paint with her hands. She uses her feet.

“Feel what you’re feeling through your painting,” Lewis said.

She was born with arthrogryposis. It’s a muscle disorder. All of her limbs are clubbed. Her arm movement is minimal, so she uses her feet to text, heat up coffee, and write things down.

James Groh

Ebony Lewis poses for a photo inside her East Side apartment.

“Honestly, anything you do with your hands, I can do with my feet.”

But that has also brought challenges both growing up and now as she navigates life as a 20-year-old seeking independence.

Since elementary school, she has been involved with school plays. At Tosa East High School, she was a stage manager for many of the productions. After graduating, she wanted to earn her bachelor’s degree at a film school. She tried attending a university in Chicago, but there weren’t many adaptive options. Then she looked at schools in Los Angeles, but there weren’t affordable caregivers, so she stayed in Milwaukee. However, that presented its own set of challenges.

Watch Ebony Lewis’ inspiring story…

How a Milwaukee artist navigates life using just her feet

“I had my roommates move out on me because they said they couldn’t handle the level of care I needed, which wasn’t them taking care of me. It was caregivers coming in, but they didn’t like that,” Lewis said.

Now, she lives in a one-bedroom apartment on Milwaukee’s East Side. While she has a license, she is forced to rely on help getting around because she can’t find funding sources for a modified vehicle to drive.

“It’s just kind of been one slap in the face after another of me just trying to live my life and society not allowing it,” Lewis said.

To handle all the stress, she took up painting as a way to express herself. She paints landscapes, her dog, and anything else that comes to mind.

In addition to her painting, she’s also advocating for herself and her community.

Ebony Lewis Paintings — Paintings Ebony Lewis created.

“I want (life) to be more adaptable for us. I don’t want us to have to fight constantly to just live,” she said. “People view us as things that need to be helped and fixed and not as actual humans. And we’re all placed in the same bubble. It’s taken a lot to show people what I can do, and a lot of people have tried to stop me from just being a normal person. They want to keep you in this box, and you’ll try to change their mindset, but they’re so stuck on it, you know. It’s very hard.”

She also wants people to recognize that not all disabilities are the same.

“Because I have abilities other people don’t. Other people can do things I can’t do,” she said.

Lewis’ goals are to eventually attend film school, get more disabled people involved in filmmaking, and live a normal life.

“I’m very determined. I want to do what I want to do, and I don’t care if people tell me I can’t. I don’t care if I can’t. I’m going to try to figure this out. I’m very go-go-go. Nothing stops me.”

Given Ebony Lewis’ attitude, it won’t be surprising when she accomplishes all her goals.

Talk to us:

Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.

It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.

Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.

Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip

Source link

Click to comment

Milwaukee, WI

NBA Trade Rumor: Milwaukee Bucks' proposed blockbuster trade could bring $215 million Bull's All-Star on board with Khris Middleton as key asset | NBA News – The Times of India

Published

7 hours ago

January 26, 2025

Press Room

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine takes a free throw during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (Image via AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

The Milwaukee Bucks are eyeing a trade to bolster their roster for the 2025 season, and their sights are set on a few big-name stars. With the season halfway through, rumors have emerged about the team’s interest in Jimmy Butler, Zach LaVine, and Bradley Beal. According to The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, the Bucks may only manage to land one of these superstars, but LaVine could be the ideal option.
A proposed five-team trade scenario outlined by Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor involves the Milwaukee Bucks making a major move for LaVine. In this deal, the Bucks would acquire Zach LaVine, while the Chicago Bulls would receive Beal and draft capital. The Phoenix Suns would trade Butler to the Bucks, the Miami Heat would land Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton, and draft capital, and the Detroit Pistons would receive Bobby Portis.

Milwaukee Bucks’ Khris Middleton tries to get past Orlando Magic’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup tournament quarterfinals basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

One of the main hurdles in making this trade happen is the Milwaukee Bucks’ position with the NBA’s tax apron. Since they’ve exceeded the second tax apron, they cannot aggregate players in a trade unless it keeps them below the tax threshold. This situation makes players like Connaughton and Portis valuable trade assets. While Connaughton could be moved to a team like the Pistons to absorb his contract, Portis is more likely to go, given his role in the Bucks’ rotation.
The real appeal of Zach LaVine, however, lies in his youth and current form. Unlike Butler and Beal, LaVine offers the Milwaukee Bucks a star with more prime years ahead of him. This season, LaVine has been playing at a high level, averaging 24 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. He is also shooting career-highs across the board, with 51.3% from the field and 45.1% from three-point range.
In contrast to Butler and Beal, who are both older, Zach LaVine’s upside is clear, and he has been more effective this season. If the Bucks are serious about making a playoff run, LaVine could be the key piece to push them forward.
Also read: LA Lakers Trade Rumor: GM Rob Pelinka eyes $41 million Pacers center to support LeBron James and co. prior trade deadline; upgrade from prior trade speculations?
While no trade is without its complications, this proposal shows that if Milwaukee is looking to make a bold move, LaVine might be their best bet for both immediate and long-term success.

Source link

Milwaukee, WI

LA Clippers vs. Milwaukee Bucks – Game Highlights

Published

17 hours ago

January 26, 2025

Press Room

LA Clippers vs. Milwaukee Bucks – Game Highlights

Heat vs Bucks Game HighlightsThe Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Miami Heat, 125-96.

Milwaukee Bucks Top Performers
Damian Lillard – 29 points, 9 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, 5 3PM
Giannis Antetokounmpo – 25 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks
Gary Trent Jr. – 21 PTS, 7 3PM (season-high)

Miami Heat Top Performers
Kel’el Ware – 22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 3PM
Tyler Herro – 21 points, 9 assists, 4 3PM

The Milwaukee Bucks move to 25-17, while the Miami Heat fall to 21-22.

Source link

Milwaukee, WI

Bucks and Clippers tied 28-28 after first quarter

Published

1 day ago

January 25, 2025

Press Room

Bucks and Clippers tied 28-28 after first quarter

INGLEWOOD, California – The Milwaukee Bucks are tied as the NBA’s hottest team as they take a five-game winning streak (matching the Memphis Grizzlies) on the road and face the Los Angeles Clippers tonight.

Milwaukee led by as many as 11 points early in the first quarter but Los Angeles went 11-for-11 from the free throw line to tie it up at 28 after one quarter. The Bucks were called for seven personal fouls, including two each for Khris Middleton, Andre Jackson Jr. and Ryan Rollins. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 11 points for the Bucks while James Harden had 10 for the Clippers.

The Bucks made their first trip to the newly-built Intuit Dome in Inglewood, where the Clippers are 16-8.

Los Angeles (25-19) has won five of their last seven games heading into tonight’s contest. Milwaukee (25-17) is just 8-10 on the road this season.

Is Giannis playing?

Probably. The MVP candidate continues to manage pain in his right knee, but he has yet to miss a game with the issue he’s been managing since training camp.

What happened to P.J. Tucker?

Milwaukee fan favorite P.J. Tucker, a key part of the 2021 championship team, has not played a game this season despite being on the Clippers roster. Officially listed as “away from the team,” the 39-year-old forward hasn’t played a regular-season game for the Clippers since April 14 of last season as he’s wanted a trade out of Los Angeles for several seasons.

He is making $11 million this season, in the final year of a three-year, $33.2 million deal initially signed with Philadelphia in 2022.