Jeff Erlanger, best known to fans of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” for an episode of the children’s show in which he chatted with Fred Rogers about why he used an electric wheelchair, died Sunday in Madison, Wis. Gene J. Puskar, Associated Press
Jeff died at the age of 37. His epitaph reads: “It doesn’t matter what I can’t do…it’s what I can do. That’s how I try to live my life.” What drove his can-do philosophy? Jeff did not think of himself as disabled, but as a person with some limitations.
Jeffrey Clay Erlanger, 36, was in a coma for several weeks after choking on food. A quadriplegic from a young age following surgery for a spinal tumor, Mr. Erlanger appeared on the “Neighborhood” at age 10, but his relationship with Fred Rogers continued through the years.
Even after Mr. Rogers’ death, Mr. Erlanger stayed in touch with the staff at Fred Rogers’ Oakland-based Family Communications Inc., including Hedda Sharapan, director of early childhood initiatives. She remembered Mr. Erlanger for “his buoyant personality, his spirit, his sense of humor.
He is known for appearing on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood when he was 10 years old, talking about his electric wheelchair and why he needed it. Erlanger’s philosophy was summarized in a 2002 Wisconsin Public Television ad: “It doesn’t matter what I can’t do—what matters is what I can do.”
Jeff Erlanger. Jeffrey Clay Erlanger (November 30, 1970 – June 10, 2007) was an American advocate and activist for disability rights. He 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.
What episode of Rogers did Erlanger appear in?
Several years later, Erlanger was invited to be on Rogers’ show. Erlanger appeared in Season 11, Episode 4 (#1478), which aired on February 18, 1981. The ten-year-old showed Rogers how his electric wheelchair worked and explained why he needed it.
After Erlanger choked on some food, he fell into a coma for three weeks before dying on Sunday, June 10, 2007. He donated his organs. Debbie Friedman sang at his memorial service.
In 2002, he ran for the Madison Common Council for the 8th District. He helped gain the accessible taxicab service in Madison today. In 2004 Erlanger flew to Boston to attend the Democratic National Convention, although he did not have a ticket.
Surgery was used to remove it, but he was left as a quadriplegic. He received his first electric wheelchair when he was 4 years old. He required many additional surgeries while growing up.
Together they sang one of Rogers’ popular songs, “It’s You I Like”. The two of them continued to communicate. In speeches Rogers gave, he told of Erlanger’s example of “overcoming obstacles and feeling comfortable about yourself.”.
Erlanger’s philosophy was summarized in a 2002 Wisconsin Public Television ad: “It doesn’t matter what I can’t do—what matters is what I can do.”.
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Before Erlanger underwent spinal surgery at age 5, 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 the Erlangers drove to meet him for breakfast in a restaurant. Several years later, Erlanger was invited to be on Rogers’ show.
Who introduced Fred Rogers to the audience?
Almost twenty years later, when Fred Rogers was inducted into the TV Hall of Fame of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, who was brought in to introduce him to the audience? other than Jeff Erlanger. Fred was so delightfully surprised that he leaped up on stage.
But Fred Rogers insisted, “I want Jeff.”. They had first met when Jeff was five. Jeff’s parents, knowing he was about to have especially difficult spinal surgery, wanted to fulfill his wish to meet his longtime “television friend” Mister Rogers. When Fred was travelling to nearby Milwaukee, they had a chance to meet.
When did Jeff Erlanger die?
Nov. 30, 1970 – June 10, 2007. Jeff Erlanger, best known to fans of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” for an episode of the children’s show in which he chatted with Fred Rogers about why he used an electric wheelchair, died Sunday in Madison, Wis.
Jeffrey Clay Erlanger, 36, was in a coma for several weeks after choking on food. A quadriplegic from a young age following surgery for a spinal tumor, Mr. Erlanger appeared on the “Neighborhood” at age 10, but his relationship with Fred Rogers continued through the years.
Mr. Erlanger, who became involved in politics in Madison and once chaired the city’s Commission on People with Disabilities, returned to Pittsburgh in May 2003 to remember his friendship with the TV host at Mr. Rogers’ public memorial service at Heinz Hall.
