In 2021, Deonte’ Bolden published “Differently Abled,” a children’s book aimed at helping kids learn to accept and love their peers with special needs. The book was inspired by the life of Bolden’s late brother, Jaquan, who had muscular dystrophy and passed away in 2006.
“After he passed, it kind of prompted me to start writing to express my feelings,” he said. “You know, dealing with grief, you’re never fully over losing someone close to you.”
Bolden’s desire to keep sharing Jaquan’s story has only continued throughout the years. “Differently Abled” became a musical in 2024, and now the Atlanta-based filmmaker and playwright is looking to continue sharing his show’s message with the world. After the musical premiered, he kept hearing the same question – when are you going to do this again?
In answer to that question, Bolden is in the process of financing a 2028 mini tour of “Differently Abled.” He is looking for partnerships and has set an initial goal of $75,000 to help mount the tour.
“Differently Abled,” which premiered at The Art Place in Marietta in 2024, follows a group of friends – King, Majesty, Adore, and Royal – with special needs. King, who has muscular dystrophy, is based on Bolden’s brother.
Bolden’s initial idea for his children’s book came from remembering how other children would treat his brother when the two were kids. His brother was in a wheelchair, and from his perspective, it seemed other children were nervous around Jaquan because of his perceived differences.
“It seemed like they weren’t trying to get to know him because of his disability,” Bolden said. “So that prompted me to write the book.”
He initially got the idea to turn the book into a musical from a reader. Though he had never written songs before, he thought that the message of “Differently Abled” could be amplified through a musical. He enlisted musician Isaac Jmusic to help him with the songs. Some of the songs, like “Short Bus” recontextualize something negative into a positive, while others connect with individual characters.
“These kids are frustrated. They’re happy. They’re having their joyous moments at times,” Bolden said. “All these kids have their own personal song which connects with them.”
When the musical first started, Bolden wanted to make sure that he approached the topic with sensitivity. People with disabilities make up the cast and crew, and toward the beginning of the process Bolden invited people within the special needs community with similar disabilities to the characters to see the show and offer their feedback on what worked and what didn’t.
“I see it from a lens of having a brother with a disability,” he said. “But there’s nothing like someone who is in those shoes to be sensitive with the type of wording that we use, and the language, and things like that.”
Bolden has been working on the prospect of mounting a 2028 tour since last year. He believes that productions like “Differently Abled” have the ability to make a difference in kids’ lives, particularly when it comes to how they treat and think about disability writ large.
“This is such a community experience thing, and the reason why I’m pushing it hard is because the message needs to get out there more,” Bolden said. “I think bullying would happen less if we had productions like this, that really speak and teach kids, while being [entertaining], that you can love people who are different from you and embrace them.”
