Maria J. Clark-Adragna

News Articles

“Brittle Bones Give Her Strength.” Branchburg News. August 12, 2005.

Maria J. Clark-Adragna never lets her wheelchair slow her down.

Now the actress and former talk show host wants to teach others how they can take charge of their handicaps, instead of their handicaps taking charge of them.

“Seventy-five percent of the disabled population is unemployed,” she said. “There’s so much out there for them but the issues they’re facing are getting hired and getting to and from work.”

Clark-Adragna was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, “Brittle Bones,” a genetic disorder characterized by bones that break easily, often from no apparent cause. A person with OI can break a rib while coughing or rolling over in their sleep, according to the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation.

The genetic defect affects the body’s production of collagen. Clark-Adragna had collagen deficiency but after puberty the amount of bone breakage decreased.

She’s had six surgeries to correct her arms and legs which were bowed. Doctors had to remove her bones, slide the fragments onto a rod, and insert them back into her body. At 13 years old Clark-Adragna opted to have her legs operated on first and her arms a year later.

She went through painful recovery but directed her attention to achieving her goal of becoming an actress. She has been featured in musicals, Beehive, Godspell, and Anything Goes. She has also been featured Off-Broadway plays: Another person is a foreign country, The Perfect Life, Romance Mystery Theater and her own one-woman show about her life, “Maria.”

Clark-Adragna was even the creator and host of her own talk show; “The Open Circle” which aired on access cable stations throughout New Jersey.

“I like everything; Shakespeare, musicals,” she said. “But right now I want to educate others.”

A full time representative for Borders Books in Bridgewater, Clark-Adragna is confronted by people on a daily basis. Some people are able to properly address her, others choose to avoid her and then there are some children who can’t help but point and stare.

“I’m three feet tall so I’m their size,” she said. “I usually tell them, when they’re young, I say, ‘I’m small like you, but I’m older like you’re mommy.’ But, I had parents literally take their child and turn them around in the other direction. I’ll move so I’m in view of the child. When I have discussions with children and parents I stress to them – just because you’re different doesn’t mean something’s wrong.”

Sometimes adults will ask her questions, which doesn’t bother her, but once in a while someone will ask if she can have sex.

“My answer is yes, but not with you,” she said. “I think the majority of the population believes people who are different are lacking humanity. Sexuality is part of that. I have to lecture about that because – I am a woman, I’m single and I’m 36. Beauty and disability doesn’t seem to go together and that’s bad.

To Clark-Adragna, her handicap is merely an accessory – like glasses. But her condition has never stopped her from living- she drives a van, lives in an apartment that is not handicap accessible, and is employed full time.

“Borders is being extremely encouraging because, they know this is where my heart is, “she said. “I have something people are generally curious about. At some point you have to measure what you’re worth.”

She has received several honors including Cape Award for Best Talk Show, Miss Wheelchair New Jersey in 1996, and Best Talk Show Series, National Hometown Video Festival in 1995.

Clark-Adragna has also lectured throughout Middlesex and Somerset County, at numerous college campuses including New York University and St. Elizabeth College and for Johnson & Johnson and the Ocean County Chapter of the New Jersey Coalition on Woman and Disabilities. Other presentations and speaking engagements include Exxon/Mobile’s Diversity and Sensitivity Training, NJ Division of Disability Services, and the Office for the Disabled.

“I really focus on humor when I lecture. It makes it more comfortable and people learn, “she said.

Clark-Adragna is currently writing two books; one is her memoirs and a book for parents to help them discuss the subject of disabilities with their child.