Bobby was the tallest guy in school. He walked with confident strides, unless he was doing his “spaz” routine.
When Bobby twisted his arms and legs and staggered sideways down the hallway everybody laughed. After all, there weren’t any “spazs” around to get their feelings hurt, right? Wrong.
My mild cerebral palsy left me with a limp that passed for a number of ailments.
On the 15th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Ellen Birkett Morris reflects on how we can broaden our understanding of people with disabilities.
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Piece Description
Bobby was the tallest guy in school. He walked with confident strides, unless he was doing his “spaz” routine. When Bobby twisted his arms and legs and staggered sideways down the hallway everybody laughed. After all, there weren’t any “spazs” around to get their feelings hurt, right? Wrong. My mild cerebral palsy left me with a limp that passed for a number of ailments. On the 15th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Ellen Birkett Morris reflects on how we can broaden our understanding of people with disabilities.
Broadcast History
WFPL, Louisville, Summer 05
Transcript
Bobby was the tallest guy in school. He walked with confident strides, unless he was doing his “spaz” routine.
When Bobby twisted his arms and legs and staggered sideways down the hallway everybody laughed. After all, there weren’t any “spazs” around to get their feelings hurt, right? Wrong.
My mild cerebral palsy left me with a limp that passed for a number of ailments. The rumors were rampant – car wreck, polio, broken ankle. The truth was I was born three months early with a mild case of CP which shortened my Achilles tendons leaving me up on my toes.
At four I knew that I wasn’t going to become the ballerina that I read about in my book, even if I had the toe pointing part down pat. Surgery at five lengthened the tendons and let me shed the metal braces that kept me upright.
Bobby was guilty of ignorance, even cruelty, but I was complicit. I didn’t speak out. I didn’...
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