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SOCIETAL ATTITUDES MUCH HARDER TO OVERCOME THAN PHYSICAL BARRIERS SAYS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CILCP "We have learned to live with our physical barriers, but societal attitudes are much harder to overcome. We just want people to understand us. We have more similarities then we do differences," Braddy said.   (Camp Hill, PA) - Theo Braddy was sitting outside a department store, enjoying a beautiful afternoon as the sun warmed his face. As a mother exited the store with her child, she stopped, glancing at the content man. After a few seconds she bent down and gave her child instructions while placing an item in his small hand. The child timidly approached Braddy and his wheelchair. The child held out his hand exposing the item. It was a dollar bill. Although the mother and child meant well, Braddy was saddened by the gesture that perfectly represented the misconceptions and social attitudes people have about persons with disabilities. Theotis Braddy, executive director of the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania, told this story as well as many others, at a recent forum at Dickinson College on "Disability Culture and Oppression". Joining Braddy was a panel of community leaders each with a disability along with a message for the students, professors and public that gathered. "I am here to plant a seed and hopefully that seed will grow," Braddy said. "Listen, we all have things in life that we need to deal with and overcome. We have learned to live with our physical barriers, but societal attitudes are much harder to overcome. We just want people to understand us. We have more similarities then we do differences." During the panel discussion, Braddy asked that the audience spend some time with people with disabilities. "As we walk and talk with people who are different then us, we begin to discover our similarities. By discovering similarities, we begin to dispel stereotypes. We all have hopes and dreams to live to our fullest potential. We all have obstacles. It's the fight to overcome these obstacles that makes us strong," he added. According to Braddy, Dickinson College invited panelists to the Liberal Arts college to speak on disability culture and oppression after Braddy's organization, the Center for Independent Living, protested Peter Singer's visit earlier this year. "We realize that Singer is a world renown bioethicist and professor at Princeton University, but we are against what he stands for," Braddy explained. In several controversial books, Singer states that parents should have an option to choose death for a disabled child because they will not live a happy life. "My ultimate goal is to fully convince people that regardless of our physical disabilities, we offer value to society," Braddy said. Sandra Weber, executive director of the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council, echoed Braddy's sentiments. Weber was born 53 years ago with Spina Bifida, a disabling birth defect involving the spinal column. Thinking that Weber's mother couldn't handle the reality that her newborn baby had a birth defect, her family advised the nurses not to bring the baby to her bedside. Two days after the birth, the nurses took Weber to her mother, laying her face down on her mother's stomach. With the tumor on the spinal column visible, Weber's mother simply asked the nurses to turn her over saying, "Let me see my baby's face. That's all that matters to me. We will deal with the rest later." In a time when it was recommended and common for parents to institutionalize children who were born with birth defects, Weber's mother fought to keep and raise her child despite little family support. Recently, after living with Spina Bifida for more than five decades, her mother asked her if she ever wished she hadn't been born. After giving it great thought, her response was-yes. "There were two times in my life that I wish I had never been born. But, both times had absolutely nothing to do with having Spina Bifida. A bad relationship and other health issues proved to be very difficult times for Weber to overcome. According to Weber, the most difficult times in life are usually situations that can happen to anyone. "Trust me," Weber said, "there are a lot of miserable able-bodied people out there who are struggling to overcome obstacles. My disability is not a struggle. It is a pain in my butt, but I'm use to it because I lived with it all my life." A lifelong wheelchair user, Weber is a testament to how people with physical disabilities can live rewarding, full and happy lives. Weber said that the "trip to Italy" theory has helped her explain to others her attitude regarding her disability. The theory is about a couple who booked a trip to Italy. They were so excited to enjoy fine dining, delicious wine, and everything the country had to offer. Much to their dismay, the travel agent made a mistake in planning the trip and they ended up in Holland. When they realized they were in Holland they were scared, confused and wondered how this could happen to them. They were soon faced with two options. First, they could let the situation ruin their trip because they didn't get a chance to see Italy. Or, they could appreciate and enjoy the beauty and all that Holland has to offer. Weber explained that her choice is to enjoy Holland, which she has found to be wonderful in its own right. Lou Diehl, the Community Action Coordinator for the Center for Independent Living Opportunities, said he is often asked why he isn't depressed because of his disability. Blind in both eyes, Diehl explains that he simply doesn't have time to be depressed or discouraged. Most people have spent their whole lives with their disability and have learned to overcome physical barriers. However, what is discouraging for Diehl is the public's perception that people with disabilities don't contribute to society. "More and more people with disabilities are going to work," Diehl explained. "We want economic independence just like everyone else." Diehl says the key is education. "Unfortunately, for every able-bodied person who drops out of school, two people with disabilities drop out of school." Diehl suggests that schools adapt and become better capable of offering education to persons with disabilities. Diehl also explained that educating and generating awareness of disability culture to those without disabilities is extremely important is dissolving oppression. "I applaud Dickinson College for developing a disabilities curriculum that will be offered next fall," he said. "This will be a tremendous outreach for young, able-bodied students and will help them gain understanding, acceptance and compassion for persons with disabilities." Josie Byzek, a lifelong activist for persons with disabilities, is the associate editor of "New Mobility" magazine and has participated in rallies across the country in support of the disability rights movement. She said that mainstream has become more acceptant of persons with disabilities, but there is a long way to go. "There is still a fight, but the fight isn't as hard as it use to be." For 40 years, the disability rights movement has been fighting for equal rights, opportunities and experiences. In July of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed. With the ADA as a starting block, the movement made great strides with the goal of making society accessible to all individuals. However, many Americans still assume that people with disabilities are unable to care for themselves and lead normal lives. Such stereotypes contribute to discrimination and oppression. In fact, people with disabilities enjoy successful careers, compete in athletics, and pursue a vast array of activities. The disability rights movement works at the grassroots level to campaign for empowerment and a more inclusive social environment. According to Byzek, who has multiple sclerosis, it was watching how others dealt with her younger brother's autism and visual impairment that motivated her to do what she could to dissolve oppression. I will never forget my mother pulling me aside one day and asking me if I was ashamed of my brother," Byzek said. "I remember thinking I never noticed anything unusual about my brother, but I should probably find out because it must be something pretty important." Byzek explained that once her brother began school, the kids noticed he was different and began to tease him. "My brother asked me one day why the kids didn't like him. I looked at him, not sure exactly how to respond, and simply said, I don't know why they don't like you because I think your cool." Byzek's story reiterated how physical barriers can be overcome, but societal attitudes are, many times, what makes life difficult and frustrating. "Could it be that society teaches us at a young age that we need to be aware of our differences?" she asked. Braddy thinks so. "As the child tried to hand me the dollar, I thought how sad, this child will grow up to think that people who use wheelchairs should be pitied and need assistance from others to live rewarding lives." Theotis Braddy is a graduate of Edinboro University and earned a Masters degree in Social Work from Temple University where he taught as an Adjunct Professor teaching Social Welfare Policy 1 & 2. In addition to being the executive director of the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania, an organization that he established, he is an Associate Minister at DaySpring Ministries in Middletown, PA. Braddy is married and has two children ages 12 and six. Although Braddy maintains a very busy schedule, he continues to work diligently towards ensuring that the Americans with Disabilities Act is fully implemented to allow for full participation of all citizens with disabilities. To learn more about the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania and how you can help to enhance disability culture while dissolving oppression, please visit the website at www.cilcp.org. The Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania is a nonprofit, nonresidential organization established for and by people with disabilities and serves Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, Mifflin and Juniata counties. CILCP's vision is to empower people with disabilities to fully participate in all aspects of society. For more information regarding this feature article, please contact Karen Gross at 717-975-2148 or via email at kgross@hersheyphilbin.com. Back to the Newsroom