“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” – Christopher Reeve
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| Source: http://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/smashing-barriers-access-disability-activism-and-curb-cuts |
The main take away from Dr. Keisling's presentation on the history of disability in America and the Tedx Talk by Judith Hermann - "Our Fight For Disability Rights - And Why We Aren't Done Yet" paralleled the same narrative that we in America have came a long way fighting against discrimination against people with disabilities as well as fighting for equal rights but there is still so much more to do. It is hard to imagine children and young adults with disabilities being sent away to institutions but it was such a short time ago that this was the normal routine. Judith's story was so inspiring and her witty play on ways to stop a bus from moving (spoiler alert: it's by wedging her wheelchair underneath the bus so it cannot move) was heart felt but did not mask the fight that she has fought and is continuing to fight to this day.
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| Source: http://www.historybyzim.com/2013/09/capitol-crawl-americans-with-disabilities-act-of-1990/ |
The Era Presentations talked about some of the major legislation affecting people living with disabilities and their families as well as healthcare professionals but it is so easy to get lost in the dates or the jargon of politics. The picture above really put the jargon into a picture. People who have the same wants and needs out of life, deserve the same opportunities and treatment. We have become accustom to seeing wheelchair ramps and curb cuts but the people before us had to fight to get those in place, even crawl..
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| Source: http://mn.gov/web/prod/static/mnddc/live/ada-legacy/ada-legacy-moment27.html |
The capital crawl (pictured to the left) was a by product of no wheelchair assessable access to the capital and when people were protesting in 1990 (just two years before I was born, wow!) because of the Americans with Disabilities Act was stalled in congress. As future occupational therapists, and current occupational therapy students, we have a direct role in making sure that we are taking the necessary steps in the right direction and continue to fight for justice and equality for all, no matter the disability.
Until next time,
Sam the Student
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