Disabilities Blog

• Enlarge

Category: Role models

First legally blind governor, Paterson, to run for re-election

Earlier this month, New York Gov. David Paterson formally announced his intention to run for re-election next year.

Gov. Paterson is the state's first African-American governor and the first legally blind governor in the country. He moved into office from his lieutenant governor role when Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in 2008.

It's clear already that this election will not be an easy one. Like most incumbents, the governor is facing a grumpy electorate in his home state still suffering from the economic downturn. His approval ratings are around 30 percent. Other polls show his likely primary opponent leading him by 40 percent. Heck, even President Obama has reportedly pressured him not to run.

In the face of this opposition, Paterson is either ignoring the facts, being incredibly stubborn or displaying a considerable amount of courage and commitment to public service (or maybe all three).

Either way, I wish him well. It's his job and he has the right to try to keep it. What do you think of Gov. Paterson's re-election bid? Are there people out there - with or without disabilities - who you wish would run for office?

• Enlarge

Category: Role models

Special Olympics boss talks advocacy

I read an interesting piece over the weekend in the New York Times in which Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver shares his perspectives on growing up with children with disabilities, his family and how to "get off the horse."

To read the column, click here.

• Enlarge

Category: Role models

Metro Detroit disability activists to be honored

Two local activists who have struggled and made significant changes in the laws regarding rights for people with disabilities will be honored Oct. 3 by the Michigan Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild.

Honored will be Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Deborah Thomas for her successful lawsuit against disability discrimination by the airlines and disability rights activist Micah Fialca-Feldman for his persistent and successful struggle to allow people with disabilities to attend universities. Both have a long record of campaigning for equal rights and access for all people with disabilities, according to a press release from the Michigan National Lawyers Guild.

This will be the organization's 71st annual dinner, which each year recognizes community members who rise up against injustices and stake a claim for basic human rights.

The awards ceremony and dinner, which is open to public, is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Mabry Center on Mound Road in Warren. For more information or to buy tickets, go to http://www.michigannlg.org.

• Enlarge

Category: Role models

Remembering Bethany Broadwell's spirit, determination

Today family and friends, co-workers and former teachers celebrated the life of Bethany Broadwell.

Bethany, who grew up in Metro Detroit, lived virtually her whole life with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2 (SMA or SMA2). When she was first diagnosed with the genetic disease, her parents were told Bethany would probably only live to be 5 or 6 years old. Well, Jim and Patty were blessed with 36 years with Bethany, who died last week near her Traverse City home after a brief illness.

What Bethany lacked in physical size and strength she made up for in spirit and work ethic. She was one of the most upbeat people I've ever met.

I first met Bethany when we worked together at iCan!, a Web site for and about people with disabilities. Bethany was just a tiny thing in a wheelchair modified with a desktop to allow her to work, a very important thing to Bethany.

Bethany loved to write. She graduated summa cum laude from Oakland University in 1997 and later earned a master's degree, all the while reporting and writing stories and columns that were published in a wide variety of media outlets. Most had something to do with disabilities, but others were Bethany's upbeat musings on her life and the world. Bethany also was a regular contributor here in the Disabilities blog.

Bethany has a quote on her Web site that sums her up perfectly: "Muscle may be a matter where I fall short, but the vitality I feel when I bring my lines to life gives me exuberance to dot every exclamation point I make with GUSTO!"

Bethany's challenges were many, but with the help of devoted parents and friends she savored every day, turning a rainy day into a ray of sunshine. She was incredibly inspiring - to me and so many others.

So today the funeral home was packed with flowers, memories and admirers, with a very long line to extend greetings and condolences to her parents who were eager to thank others for being part of their Bethany's life.

We thank you, Jim and Patty, for letting Bethany be part of our lives. She was special and will be missed very much.

• Enlarge

Category: Role models

Metro Detroit disability advocate McCarville dies

Roger McCarville, who passed away last week, was a great story teller and disability advocate in Metro Detroit. He'll be missed.

For more information about Roger, read the obituaries in the Free Press and Detroit News.

• Enlarge

Category: Role models

Congratulations, Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2009

Congratulations to Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2009 Amber Marcy who finished among the top five contenders for the Ms. Wheelchair America 2010 title this past week in Rapid City, S.D. She took the third runner-up place after a week of display presentations, interviews, speeches and fun activities.

Marcy was one of 26 women from around the country who participated in the 36th annual pageant. Erika Bogan of Huntsville, N.C., won the national crown. The goal of the MWA organization is "to provide an opportunity for women of achievement who happen to be wheelchair users to successfully educate and advocate for the more than 52 million Americans living with disabilities."

• Enlarge

Category: Role models

My memory of Sen. Kennedy

U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy's passing carries with it the weight of history. You can feel it. Like the election of President Obama or the slow disappearance of our nation's newspapers, the last year has been one of momentous transition. When Sen. Kennedy died this morning, you almost feel the landscape of the nation itself has changed; seemingly overnight one generation has given way to another.

To me, Sen. Kennedy was a voice on the phone.

In May of 2000, I was a political reporter with iCan.com. Nicole Fawcett, our health reporter, and I interviewed Sen. Kennedy about the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). On that day, his hearty voice filled our office "bullpen" as he talked about the law and the potential of people with disabilities.

Later that summer, iCan.com covered a multi-city tour designed to promote awareness of the ADA. I had scheduled a face-to-face interview with Sen. Kennedy, prepared a few questions and was looking forward to discussing issues in depth with him.

I had read several books on his career as well as that of his brothers and the rest of his family. I was curious about his perspective on current events in Washington, D.C., the nation's history, and, specifically, his part in it. A few days before the interview, my father passed away suddenly and I had to drop out of that leg of the tour. I never got to do the face-to-face interview. But my colleague, Karen, spoke with Sen. Kennedy. She explained my situation and he autographed the speech he gave that day along with a few words to me.

I still have that speech. I'll probably look at it in the next few days.

Last year, after he was diagnosed with cancer, I approached Sen. Kennedy's office again and requested another interview. I was going to D.C. anyway and thought we might finally cross paths. But the senator was too ill.

I not only admired Sen. Kennedy's accomplishments, but the way he accomplished them. Being famous, he spent amazingly little energy self-aggrandizing. He acted boldly, with members of both parties, in the service of the public good. Just as importantly, he understood that was his job.

• Enlarge

Category: Role models

Eunice Kennedy Shriver: one woman's legacy

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of the late President John F. Kennedy and founder of Special Olympics, died yesterday. It seems to me that her impact can't be underestimated.

Eunice Shriver changed America's culture for the better.

When she started the Special Olympics, there were virtually no organized programs that focused on individuals with disabilities. In fact, people with disabilities weren't a topic of polite conversation. When the topic of mental retardation - as it was called then - was brought up, it was discussed in hushed tones of embarrassment or shame.

For decades, an entire segment of the nation's population was effectively invisible. Shriver changed all that.

I never knew her or met her, but I felt her influence. In the '90s, I worked with people with disabilities in Wyandotte and oversaw a program that participated in Special Olympics. At the time, many disability advocates (including me) had mixed feelings about Special Olympics. We felt people with disabilities should focus more of their energy on entering the workplace. I considered ending our involvement in Special Olympics.

Word must have gotten around. You can't imagine the reaction I got from the community. I received hand-written letters and messages on my answering machine. People with disabilities called me and stopped me on the street. They each told me how important the Special Olympics were to them. Parents relayed how their son or daughter finally found something that they looked forward to, that competing in the Special Olympics gave them a sense of accomplishment and made them feel proud of themselves.

How's that for a legacy?

For each of us, there's been a person in our life who, because of their effort or extra attention, helps shape the person we ultimately become.

The formation of Special Olympics was an important stepping stone in the ongoing participation of people with disabilities into all aspects of every day life. Through her efforts, Shriver helped not only one person, but millions of people with disabilities cross the country become a more active and visible part of their communities.

On behalf of those families in Wyandotte, thank you.

• Enlarge

Category: Role models

Fox explores optimism and challenges

It sounds like Michael J. Fox's special about optimism, airing tonight at 10 p.m. on ABC, will cover some interesting material, including how the celebrity manages to stay upbeat and live with Parkinson's disease.

This news story delighted me because it described how Fox decided to take up golf after his diagnosis with a progressive condition. To me, that's spirit!

When was the last time you tried a new challenge? I would love to hear your stories.

Category: Role models

Mermaid tail helps New Zealander with disability

I'm in my 30s, and I know better...but a teeny part of me has always believed that I have a little mermaid blood flowing through my veins. While I fall short of a siren's sheer beauty, I share some of her characteristics. I cannot walk, so I know the feeling of being marooned. Regardless of obstacles, I still manage to go places. People often gawk at my "different" appearance. I am a curiosity, who delights in the surf and the sun. My family and friends would probably say I have both a playful streak and a wistful dreaminess.

Other women with disabilities have told me they have this same fascination with mermaids. I have a small collection of mermaid items and I am always interested in references about the bathing beauties; so it has been it has been a treat for me to follow the story spreading across the Internet about Nadya Vessey.

This New Zealander had both of her legs removed as a child because she was born with a condition that would not allow them to develop. As part of her rehabilitation, Vessey became an avid swimmer. Without the use of legs, however, propelling herself in water could be cumbersome. Vessey contacted Weta Workshops, a special effects company who has crafted creations for Oscar-winning movies, to ask if the team there might make her a mermaid tail that could function as a prosthetic. She is quoted as saying: "A prosthetic is a prosthetic, and your body has to be comfortable with it and you have to mentally make it part of yourself."

Weta Workshops produced a tail that is totally "glam." Vessey seems pleased modeling her new appendage. Some may think her desire for attention is fishy. I think it is mostly in fun. Please comment here to let me know your opinion.