There are many words you could use to describe Nicole Tompkins, the disabled protagonist of “Shaky,” Audible’s recent 9-part comedy audio series: passionate, wild, talented, messy. But she’s also kind of an asshole.
That’s not a role that disabled people have often been able to play in fiction—neither pure nor villainous, just a regular messed-up human who acts impulsively or lashes out at friends and loved ones during times of stress. Even today, disabled characters are rarely allowed to take center stage in their own stories; instead they become “inspirational” props to the able-bodied characters around them. Though “Shaky” features an ensemble of engaging characters, it’s Nicole, played by Rosa Salazar, who drives the plot throughout.
