Another article I wrote for The Phoenix back on November 18, 2005...
My thanks to a loyal reader named Margarette from Phoenixville for suggesting the following topic.
If you ever hear the name John Hockenberry, please stop, look and listen. John is an award-winning tv commentator, radio host and foreign correspondent. John became a paraplegic in an auto accident when he was 19. He now lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife and 4 kids.
I have read many of John's commentaries, and his view of the world, as a husband, father and just a so-called "regular" guy, who happens to be physically challenged, is amazing. He has been on "60 Minutes" and has even been a news anchor. For years, even his viewers had no idea he was in a wheelchair. When you are reading the news it doesn't matter if you can't walk.
I love his work because he can see things in such a simple, yet powerful way. For instance, I read a recent article John wrote about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) marking its 15th anniversary.
Wow...15 years already! I think of all the changes in my world since the act was passed. More handicapped parking places, more job opportunities, more ramps and cut curbs, more access to public buildings, more transportation options.
Is the law perfect? No. A truly inclusive world for the disabled will not only depend on the determination and courage of the disabled to keep fighting for what is right, but also for the non-disabled world to help us join them in sharing the freedom and independence which they enjoy.
Society at large must get involved to make sure things like the ADA kaw are upheld and expanded. After all, the Civil Rights Act of 1964- which had the backing of the courts, the police and the National Guard- still has not wiped out racism. Much work is still ahead. for instance, employment for people with disabilities has not improved significantly since the passage of the ADA. Disabled employment has stood near 70 percent for the past two decades.
John's article pointed out that social awareness of the ADA law, and just basic, simple, common sense viewpoints of the disabled are truly becoming more apparent in society. Today you are just as likely to see a disabled person on the ski slopes as you are at your workplace. The ADA law has helped disabled people become more accepted in life. Able-bodied folks seem more comfortable around people who are "different" somehow. Sure, there will always be some sort of prejudice, discrimination or just plain ignorance. Bit I have personally noticed over the years that things are better. Maybe because the media now isn't afraid to tackle disabled-related issues in movies or on TV. It seems to be the "in thing" to include someone with a disability on your work staff or in your movie script, when appropriate.
John noted this one particular personal point in his article. He was riding a subway in New York City when an emergency occurred and the conductor was ordered to stop the train and ask all the passengers to exit the train. He did so, including John in his wheelchair and several mothers with baby strollers. John found out that the station they stopped at did not have an elevator (one of many similar stations in New York City, he mentioned). The conductor never offered to help John up the flight of steps to ground level. John was prepared to hop out of his chair and crawl up the filthy steps on his bottom, suit or no suit. I have had similar instances in my life, and believe me, there cannot be a more humiliating experience, as others stare at you like you are an animal in a zoo.
But before John hopped out of his chair to the dirty ground below, several of the stroller moms spoke up."What's your plan for this man? Is he just supposed to stay down here forever? Is that your plan? We are not stupid people. There's a law that says you have to have a plan. Everyone knows that..."
The conductor went from ignoring a solitary man in a wheelchair to having to deal with a demanding group of New York moms. he finally decided to take the group to the next station, which he knew was accessible.
So, here was an example of social awareness, and of people who were brave enough to support a fellow disabled passenger. In that way, the ADA law will continue to serve its purpose and empower everyone, disabled or not, to make the world a better place for everyone to live.
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I recently celebrated my 40th birthday. After a few days of being 49, I soon found it to be a strange age. First, everyone always asks how old you are when you start to advance in age. But when you're honest enough to admit your age, not too many people believed me. "You're not really forty-nine,"was the typical answer. I guess that's a good thing. It must be the dimples. So I don't argue anymore if someone insists that I'm really 35.
49 is like the last exit ramp on the Great Turnpike of Life, before one hits the Big 5-0. The comic Jack Benny always wanted to stay 39, dreading turning 40. But I never had a problem with landmark birthdays. Life is what it is. You take each birthday, each decade as it comes. Think positive! Hopefully you are much more settled and wiser at 50 than at 20 ( we won't talk about the wrinkles and the gray hair).
In my situation, when the doctors didn't think I would make 16 let alone 49, I think of each additional birthday as a blessing. More years to enjoy life, to make life special, to do some good for other people.
The lifespan for someone with Osteogenisus Imperfecta is a mere 25 years, so for me, each additional year is gravy. I've beaten the odds for over 20 years so far. So, the Big 5-0 next year should be a time to look ahead and celebrate, not a time for depression or seeing life as becoming more limited.
To me, the best is yet to come. Still, I won't rush my last year in the 40s. There is a certain finality to it- my LAST year ever in the 40s. Gulp! But I hope to savor it, enjoy it, and hope it is a happy and healthy one.
49 has a nice ring to it after all.
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