Closed-Minded to Closed Captioning
Pennsylvania lieutenant governor and Senate candidate John Fetterman was chided for utilizing closed-captioning (which translates spoken words onto a screen in real-time) during a recent news cycle. Having suffered a stroke earlier in the year that affected his auditory skills (sometimes his hearing capability doesn’t process words accurately or as fast as the average person), Fetterman has found closed-captioning to be a useful tool in effectively overcoming what is hoped to be a temporary side-effect from the stroke.
Media outlets quickly publicized this novel way of conducting an interview (especially for a Senate candidate). Not surprisingly, political opponents and social media opportunists were equally rapid in citing the use of the technology as an example of Fetterman not being healthy enough or implying that his mental capacity was not up to where it needs to be to fulfill the duties of a U.S. Senator.
Politicians questioning each other’s mental acuity is nothing new. I’m sure there are countless jokes from the likes of Mark Twain, Will Rogers, Bob Hope, Mark Russell, and P.J. O’Rourke, citing the lack of intelligence in our governmental circles. However, all kidding aside, when it comes to singling out someone because of a need or perceived disability, we need to recall what Thumper the rabbit was taught by his father in the classic animated film Bambi: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.”
If someone simply saw John Fetterman sitting in a chair, no one would know he was suffering from auditory issues. The same is true of anyone who deals with neurodivergent challenges. What does it say about us as a society or a culture that we are so quick to judge based on appearances? Should we return to the days of people being self-conscious about wearing glasses (“Hey, four eyes!”) or single someone out because they use a hearing aid or looking at someone in confusion who is fluent in sign language?
People with neurodivergent challenges might need closed-captioning to communicate effectively as well. Should they be singled out like John Fetterman for being different? Is that all right? Of course, it isn’t! Not for the neurodivergent community and not for John Fetterman or anyone else who might need a little assistance. The fact that they have the courage to say, “I need a little help,” demonstrates greater personal character and fortitude than the person who ridicules them.
All of us at the I AM ABLE Foundation hope you’ll join us in helping people like John Fetterman and others find their voice and speak up next time they encounter an inequity. All of us building this foundation are champions of invisible struggles. Standing together in our collective truth, we will show the world that you are able, I am able, and together, we are able to make a significant change in almost all aspects of our personal and professional journeys.
