Recognizing Differences

Last Friday I found myself in an interesting conversation with a colleague at work. She was sharing her delightful experience of listening to a presentation of national speaker, Mr. Richard Pimentel. I’ve always enjoyed listening to this colleague share such an experience because of the passion that one can see in her eyes and hear in her voice. Clearly, Mr. Pimentel left that type of impact upon her.

Apparently we owe a great deal to this great man. Someone who was at the forefront of the Americans with Disabilities Act, someone who faced multiple challenges in his life, and someone who succeeded against all these odds. His story sounded remarkable and full of the drive and determination that helped him to persevere in the face of ignorance. I wish I could have seen this for myself but I had the pleasure of living some of the presentation through my colleague’s passionate description. A true champion for the rights of individuals with disabilities! Hopefully the advances that we know today will continue to prevent such atrocities that Richard had to experience.