The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

Several years ago, I underwent reconstructive facial surgery after having a very rare form of cancer.  The excision of the cancer caused a large portion of my forehead tissue to be removed down to skull-bone.  Over the course of a year, I had four major facial reconstructive surgeries, which included a skin graft, saline implants that required ongoing injections of fluid to expand my forehead skin tissue, and extensive surgery to reconfigure blood veins and create a new hairline/forehead.  With each surgery, I shaved my hair and wore scarves and hats to hide all the reconstruction wounds that were covering my head.  I felt very self-conscious and different than other “normal” people around me.  My surgeries left me in a great deal of pain – horrendous headaches and pressure.  I would get dizzy from changes in air pressure or from tilting my head down.  I wouldn’t say that other’s oppressed me or judged me, because they understood by my visible appearance that I must have cancer.  Instead, I received much sympathy, kindness, and accommodation because of it. 

I realize that other people with different sicknesses and disabilities are not as kindly accepted or equitably treated as I was.  I watched a movie this past week that really impacted me in regards to biases, prejudice and oppression due to disability.  This movie was based on the real story of Brad Cohen, who was born with Tourette’s Syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes a person to have uncontrolled ticks, body movements, and/or vocal noises.  Brad was discriminated against all his life by people who did not understand his disease.  His father and most of Brad’s teachers couldn’t accept Brad, and thought he purposefully made those noises and actions to be funny or to misbehave.  It wasn’t until a principal acknowledged Brad’s disability and made accommodations for Brad, that he felt successful and had hope to be able to overcome the challenge of Tourette’s Syndrome.  Through the inspiration of his mother and the acceptance he felt from an inspired principal, Brad battled prejudice and oppression, attending college and successfully earn an elementary education teaching certificate.  However, many principals would not give Mr. Cohen a chance to teach, fearing that his Tourette’s would distract the children’s learning.  After interviewing with over 20 schools, Mr. Cohen finally found a school willing to take a chance on him.  He proved that educating children about disabilities increased acceptance, and that everyone deserves a chance to overcome challenges.  Mr. Cohen later earned the Georgia teacher of the Year award and became a motivational speaker.

I feel deeply inspired by Brad Cohen and his motivation to not let his disability define who he is or limit his potential.  He overcame great challenge to be a successful teacher and to inspire countless others.  Mr. Cohen proves that there is limitless potential of each person when they are given fair access, equitable treatment, and a chance!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV1XH68OohM