CCJC Audio Podcast 00050, Season 2
Here at Cajun Chronicles Podcast Corporation we consider ourselves the “Dreamers” with a capital “D.” We have big collective dreams of better times, better awareness when it comes to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility for all. With several of our staff members rocking life’s obstacles and challenges one of those “dreams” is to turn a fictional story we have all known into reality eventually.
It may not be us who make this dream come true, but perhaps the porch folktale can inspire others to do just that. We often do storytelling rounds merging different versions of the same stories with the past and the present, adding the different cultural elements unique to various members. This story is one of them:
Rolling Along With The Krewe of Rolling Rhythm Riders
In the heart of the vibrant Crescent City of New Orleans, where the rhythms of shared life beat like a second line Jazzy and Blues chorus, there existed a Mardi Gras krewe unlike any other. They were known as the “Krewe of Rolling Rhythm Riders.” Each year this group of revelers who daily often rolled through the streets, not in clop-a-lot tourist love-buggy carriages, motorized chariots, or on horseback. They were in wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and all sorts of roll-a-tor walkers.
Their Rolling Rhythm Riders wheelchair float was built from the hearts and efforts of all of them. Truth be told, a magnificent spectacle of color, music, song, art, and laughter. Any other known Krewe could not match their spirits and determination.
At the helm of this extraordinary Krewe was our very own Vivienne Robichaux most recently. She’s a queen whose throne this time around is a custom-made wheelchair adorned with sparkling beads and the plumes of Peacock purple, Celedon green, and Scintillating gold. Vivienne, with her infectious smile and boundless energy.
She has rallied all of her vast network of contact allies and wheelchair users to bring awareness to wheelchair accessibility. Young and old many have joined her in recent years to celebrate Mardi Gras in their own unique way. The Krew of Rolling Rhythm Riders’s annual floats have become masterpieces of engineering and creativity,
This year’s envisioned theme of “Unity in Diversity,” a celebration of the merging of Louisiana’s most treasured accomplishment is something to behold. It’s meant to be a massive, multi-level structure, complete with ramps, lifts, and accessible seating for everyone. Once again proving that cultures, ages, and abilities (not the disabilities) are part of what makes NOLA so vibrant.
Picture This Future Dreamer Krewes!
As the float rolled down the streets, it was a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds. There were wheelchair dancers in colorful costumes, roll-a-ator musicians playing lively tunes, and a chorus of voices singing traditional Mardi Gras songs. “Hey Pocky A-way” ear strolled along. “Mardi Gras Mambo” led the way! And Al Johnson’s “Carnival,” followed up in the rear. People of all ages and backgrounds kept joining in allied celebration, their facres lit up with joy, unity, and admiration.
Among the revelers on the float was a young girl named Anastasie Dugas, who had been confined to a wheelchair because of Friedreich's Ataxia. Anastasie, now a young sixteen-year old had always dreamed of participating in Mardi Gras, but she never imagined that she would be able to do so in such a spectacular way. As she waved her Krewe Rolling Rhythm flag, watching the crowd cheering and dancing, she felt a sense of belonging and pride that she had struggled with since early childhood and had never experienced before.
The Krew of Rolling Rhythm Riders’s dream float is not just a symbol of celebration and tradition. It is a powerful statement about acceptance, inclusion, and accessibility. It’s all about a world we are working towards where people with disabilities could live full and King Cake commotion vibrant lives. A place where all can have joy and laughter and share it with everyone around them.
As the Bead-lam parade reached its conclusion, Vivienne raised her hand in a gesture of thanks to the crowd. “L’union, fait la force,” she laughingly squealed. Her voice filled with emotion, “In union, there is strength.”
To not be just an unlooker in life was now her greatest thrill. The onlookers above on balconies and below on the street erupted in cheers. Their hearts too were filled with the spirit of Mardi Gras and the Krew of Rolling Rhythm Riders.
Thus, the Krew of Rolling Rhythm Riders went on to roll through the streets of New Orleans, years after years, decades after decades. Its message of spreading hope, joy, accessibility, and inclusion that all began as a collective dream – became a symbol of the power of collective human spirit all working together to overcome adversity and discrimination.
J’espère que tu vas trouver le bèbè dans ton gȃteau des rois!
I hope that you will find the baby in your king cake!
Kè to gato roi genyen ti bèbè la!
I wish you to find the little baby in your cake!
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