Embracing Diversity in All Its Forms
We talk a lot about diversity being a strength here in Rockville and King Farm. I would like to talk about another aspect of diversity that we don’t think of often – diversity in dealing with disability.
We talk a lot about diversity being a strength here in Rockville and King Farm. I would like to talk about another aspect of diversity that we don’t think of often – diversity in dealing with disability.I am thinking recently about Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman (now Senator Fetterman) his stroke and the resulting comments by media and others. Senator Fetterman is dealing with the after-effects of his stroke. As a result in an interview or debate he needs to read closed-caption questions rather than hear them since his audio processing isn’t being done by his brain correctly. He might recover or he might permanently need closed captioning software.
Fetterman wasn’t asking for an advantage or for people to go easy on him, but just an accommodation so that he can understand the questions put to him.
I am dumbfounded by the number of media outlets, reporters and others who treat an accommodation like a closed caption system to take questions as somehow disqualifying or saying that “How can he be in the U.S. Senate if he can’t process what he is hearing?” Or make terrible comments like, “What is a brain damaged person doing running for the U.S. Senate?”
That to me is wrong. It is 2023. Have we not gotten past this kind of thing? Can deaf people not run for office or serve in elected capacity? Are they saying that only able-bodied people should run for elected office? Are they saying that people who use accommodations are somehow less qualified than able-bodied people. This would be news to members of Congress, Governors or others who do their jobs while dealing with an impairment.
I reject this way of thinking. I hope that you do too.
Honestly it seems to me that we need more diversity in public office not less. Women, people of all racial or ethnic backgrounds and people with various challenges help us make good legislative and governance decisions, not less. Why would we not want diversity of thought and experience in our elected officials? Judge people on their positions and on their records rather than on whether they need accommodations for an impairment.
For those of you who might not know, this is deeply personal to me because over 12 years ago I had a stroke. It isn’t something I talk about much, but I have lingering effects from it to this day. There is so much that goes through your mind after a stroke. Will I still be able to do my job? Can I drive? Will I ever be “normal” again?
It is a tough road that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. But once you are in it the only thing you can do is put one foot in front of the other and try to improve every day. You gain a new perspective on the world around you. What you once took for granted or things that once were automatic now were jerked away from you and now seem almost impossible. Like crossing the street to Safeway. What once was an easy walk that took 5 seconds or so was now a crossing that could not even be completed without the signal turning red. Same thing with driving. For almost 5 years I did not drive. Life becomes vastly different when driving yourself is no longer an option. Is it going to rain? Can I walk that far? How will I get to the Metro? How do I time that appointment so that someone can pick me up?
I ran for the King Farm Board of Trustees and President reluctantly as putting myself out there and talking to people felt strange, awkward and yes fear-provoking. But I did it because I felt like I still had something to offer - a different perspective on the world.
Yes, I wondered if the voters of King Farm would vote for a candidate who didn’t talk well or answered questions slowly. It was a fear but one that was unfounded.
I say all of this not to toot my own horn or to win sympathy or applause but because I want to make a point. Accommodations when they make sense and merely level the playing field or allow others to play are a good thing. I think we are stronger as a community or a City, state or country when we embrace different experiences, different cultures, different genders and have a tolerance and make allowances for people’s various disabilities.
Having diversity of all kinds in our community and in our leaders makes us a better place and a better people.