Barbara J. McKee has had a wide variety of "jobs" in her life: from full-time wife and mother of three; owner of R.S.V.P- a cheesecake and pastry company; a computer applications analyst; computer software instructor, technical writer, corporate ethics instructor and a disability feature columnist. Barbara was the first wheelchair user to graduate Suma Cum Laude with a degree in culinary arts from an accredited CIA (Culinary Institute of America) school. She is currently an undergraduate at the University of New Mexico, majoring in Theatre-Dramatic Writing with a minor in Theatre-Director.

Barbara is an active performance poet, having done readings for a variety of audiences, emulating the journey of the disabled experience. Her poetry book, "Trilogy of One and other poems" is an eclectic collection of her thoughts and experiences of life before and after her entrance into the disabled culture in 1975. Barbara's poetry and short stories have been published in poetry newsletters, anthologies, and university publications. Some of her early work in persuasive writing is now used as a template in Creative Writing classes at junior college in Michigan. 

Currently, Barbara writes feature articles and a weekly column for the Albuquerque Tribune. She is also a part-time computer support analyst for the Center for Development & Disability Medically Fragile Program for the University of New Mexico Pediatrics School of Medicine. She is also an active disability awareness speaker, having been the keynote for the 2003 Southwest Disability Conference. She has been chosen to kick-off two large events in October 2004 for "Disability and Employment Awareness" Month: one at Kirtland Air Force Base and the other at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department of the U.S. government in New Mexico.

Her production company--EPL Productions, Inc. produced books, music CD's & videos for disenfranchised artists, writers and musicians, emphasizing the disability community, closed in 2005.

Two websites have had national and international attention. Lenore Chinn: Break from Pulp and Disability Culture Timeline - A Brief History are being utilized as a teaching tools in several prominent universities.  The latter website was included in the Scottish National Holocaust Memorial Day website. 

Barbara's disability activism and journalism have been recognized in several awards. She was awarded the Christine Parkhurst Disability Advocacy award in October of 2003, presented at the Southwest Disability Conference in Albuquerque. Click here for videos of other community awards and advocacy.

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Barbara moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1998 for the weather and the vast opportunities for writers and performers. She lives with her husband Mark and their two dogs and cat in the Nob Hill area in the heart the city.  

Barbara strives for the expansion and promotion of her production company, to complete her M.F.A in Dramatic Writing and Directing, and to continue her disability activism for the extermination of the disabled myth "Better Off Dead".