Memories of the Disability Mentoring Day kickoff breakfast at Tavern on the Green that almost faded when the import of the words spoken and the feelings expressed that morning came home to roost. Across the conference table sat a scientist. He recounted the meticulous steps taken in his quest to convert swine waste into fuel. Before revealing his secret to success, hopeful of landing a grant for a prototype, there came a moment of enlightenment.
A year or so ago he had approached our Farm Pilot Project organization to explain his discovery and gather information to submit a funding application. That turned out to be a fateful day. As he explained “I was a bit distracted then. My daughter was in the hospital, having been diagnosed with an embolism at the base of her brain. We were hopeful that surgery would not be necessary. But, it was”. Somewhat hesitant to ask, we pressed on to inquire whether she had experienced any setbacks since.
What we heard was all too familiar. This brave 7 year old feared not, and had started anew as a child with a life-altering disability. Her left side was partially paralyzed, her speech impaired, and she was learning a bit slower than her able-bodied peers. The uphill climb with the school system. The encouragement not to shy away from new friends but, rather, give them a chance to get to know her. And, the development of a mantra so difficult for most of us, and almost impossible for a first grader; be patient with others, be patient with yourself and be patient for those things that are most important to you.
In less than a week of “preaching to a choir of believers” at Tavern on the Green and thanking Mayor Bloomberg for his support, we sat across the table from a parent wondering, hoping and praying that his daughter would be given a chance to experience the American dream.
In short order the scientist, as a father, asked, “What steps do you suggest we take?”
I said, "Do exactly what you have done in coming here today for your business, keep identifying resources and making the connection to access them. And, importantly, remember you are not by yourself; in fact, you are never more than 2 ½ persons away from someone who has or is experiencing the daily challenge of managing a life altering disability."
Richard Salem is the Chairman of Enable America, a national organization endeavoring to increase employment among persons with disabilities and social inclusion, civic engagement through building grass roots and grass top, community, business and vet “connections.” Join us at http://www.enableamerica.org
