User:StrayBolt/Jeff Erlanger

Jeffrey Clay Erlanger (November 30, 1970 – June 10, 2007) was an American advocate and activist for disability rights and is well-known for his appearance on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood when he was 10 years old, talking about his electric wheelchair and why he used it.

Jeff Erlanger's philosophy, summarized in a 2002 Wisconsin Public Television award-winning ad, was: "It doesn't matter what I can't do - what matters is what I can do."

Early and personal life
Jeffrey Clay Erlanger was born in Madison, Wisconsin on November 30, 1970 to Howard and Pam Erlanger. Jeff had an older sister, Lisa. His father is a professor at the University of Wisconsin - Madison School of Law. When Jeff was 7 months old, a spinal tumor was operated on, but still left him as a quadriplegic. He got his first electric wheelchair when he was 4. He required many surgeries while growing up. He graduated from Memorial High School and went on to receive a degree from Edgewood College in political science.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
When Jeff was 5, before having spinal surgery, his parents asked him what he wanted. He said he wanted to meet "Mister Rogers". His sister wrote Fred Rogers about her brother's wishes. Rogers happened to be traveling to Milwaukee, Wisconsin so Jeff's entire family drove to meet with Rogers for breakfast in a restaurant. Several years later, Jeff was invited to be on Rogers' show.

He appeared in Season 11, Episode 4 (#1478), which aired on February 18, 1981. Ten-year-old Jeff showed Rogers how his electric wheelchair worked and explained why he needed it. They talked about his parents, doctors, upcoming surgery and what you can do when your sad. Together they sang one of Rogers' popular songs, It's You I Like. The two of them kept in touch. Hollywood Reporter Daniel Fienberg wrote, "I can't watch Mr. Rogers sing with wheelchair-bound Jeff Erlanger without tearing up, can you?" Rogers showed in speeches Jeff's example "about overcoming obstacles and feeling comfortable about yourself."

When Fred Rogers inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1999, Jeff Erlanger was a surprise guest for Rogers' introduction. Rogers "leaped" out of his seat and straight onto the stage when Erlanger appeared.

In May 2003, he returned to Pittsburgh to honor Mr. Rogers at his memorial service.

Jeff's appearance was included in the 2018 PBS special, Mister Rogers: It's You I Like. The special's host and former crewmember, Michael Keaton, recalled Rogers saying his most memorable guest was Jeff.

Political career
Jeff Erlanger was an intern for Representative Tammy Baldwin and Senator Russ Feingold, who honored Erlanger in the Senate. Erlanger was very active in Madison politics holding a number of significant positions in the community including: member of the Economic Development Commission, chair of the Commission on People with Disabilities, and chair of the Board of Directors of the Community Living Alliance. In 2002, he ran for the Madison Common Council in the 8th District. One of his accomplishments was his successful push for the accessible taxicab service in Madison today. In 2004, he optimistically boarded a plane for Boston to attend, but without a ticket, the Democratic National Convention. Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, whose campaign Erlanger had worked on, was on that flight and got him in. Falk said, "Jeff was passionate about our nation on a big-scale level and equally passionate about our community," adding, "This is a man who devoted so many countless hours to making things better for other people."

In February 2000, Jeff Erlanger made a random connection in an America Online chat room at the end of the day with a woman in Boston who told him she was trying to kill herself. She said she had "cut herself and blood was going down her arms." Unsure if it wasn't a hoax, Erlanger decided to take action, but his phone was in use with the computer modem. He had to use a phone in the building lobby to contacted the police in Madison and Boston and then AOL to help with the rescue. Boston police found the woman with fresh cuts on her wrist and took her in for medical treatment.

Death and legacy
After choking on some food, Jeff Erlanger was in a coma for several weeks and died on Sunday, June 10, 2007. He donated his organs. Debbie Friedman sang at his crowded memorial.

The City of Madison Common Council created the annual Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility In Public Discourse Award in his honor after his death in 2007. Past recipients include: Torrie Kopp Mueller for her efforts to eliminate racism, empower women and decriminalize homelessness; William Greer, president and CEO of Journey Mental Health Center; Leslie Ann Howard, who at the time was the United Way’s president and CEO; and Nan Brian, who has dedicated her professional career to serving children.