It’s Women’s History Month and I want to highlight Judy Heumann; a significant disabled activist who recently passed away on March 4th. Much of the access disabled people have today is because of Judy’s work that began in the 70s. We both talked about one day meeting, so I’m sad to have missed such an opportunity. Whenever I’m feeling bleh, I like to express myself creatively so I sliced and diced some clips, photos and quotes for this reel. Take 4 minutes to watch and get a sense of Judy’s tenacious spirit.
(I put quite a bit of work making this reel. Feel free to share but please credit me)
I was heartbroken to hear about the passing of the indelible Judy Heumann. I like feisty people. I think some of the greatest heroes are those who didn’t set out to do great things, rather set out to be themselves and because of that did great things. And Heumann was just that. She was unabashedly herself and humble. She didn’t take no for an answer. She didn’t let injustice breathe in the light. It wasn’t about using her activism status to get rich or influencer famous. It truly was about the advocacy. She was the spark that lit the match that has and will inspire generations of disabled people to fight for their rights, while making us see there is nothing wrong with disability—what is wrong is the eyes looking down on us, trying to cast us into non-existence. But we exist.
“I am hopeful, that, yet more people will feel empowered to embrace their disability identity, and that everyone will finally realize disability is a difference, it is not a deficiency.” -Judy Heumann
As a child, Judy recognized the immorality of school segregation. She wasn’t allowed to go to school just because of her disability born from polio. Even as a child, her firm sense of self told her the lack of equity for disabled people was inhumane. This spirit followed her when she sued NYC for not allowing her to be a teacher just because she was disabled. She won.
Judy is fondly known as the “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement”, was an international legacy. She was part of and helped lead the first disability movement, from the historic 1977 Section 504 occupation of federal buildings by disabled people for 25 days that she helped organize, to the signing of the ADA. She served as the World Bank’s Advisor on Disability & Development, Assistant Secretary of Education for Special Ed and Rehabilitative Services for the Clinton Admin, and Special Advisor for the International Disability Rights for the Obama Admin. She authored two memoirs and a list of other contributions. (Do watch the Netflix documentary Crip Camp to learn more about Judy and the American Disability Rights movement)
When you see another speak up for themselves, it gives everyone who follows the permission to do the same. When you see another live against adversity or a society that doesn’t quite get it, it gives others permission to live as they are. This is why I share, this is why we share—to be reminded we are all in this human experiment together.
You went into history during women’s history month. 🌟 They better have ramps wherever you’re at or else they will hear about it. Thank you for everything you were and did. We shall continue. Rest in light and power.Much love 🖤
—————
*I’m a Korean American ♿️ traveler, artist, writer, advocate, industrial desigber and an adoptee.
For more #KamsWheelsTravel, disability and accessibility musings and mini-memoirs, follow Instagram.com/kamredlawsk
Kamredkawsk.com / Facebook.com/kamredlawsk
Twitter, Tiktok & LinkedIn @ kamredlawsk