General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Two Questions: [View all]Zorra
(27,670 posts)Born a slave, she was a strong willed black woman who started with absolutely nothing, escaped slavery at 30 yrs old, and against all odds became an important and effective figure in the struggles for abolition of slavery, slave rights, women's rights, religious tolerance, prison reform, banning capital punishment, and other equality and rights causes.
I'm also partial to Chief Joseph, but I wouldn't say he was exactly produced by American society.
And then there's my old friend Butch, born with terribly crippling birth defects, who could not walk and barely had use of one hand, who got around in an electric wheelchair and worked to partially support himself.
Despite all this, Butch was the happiest person I ever met, had a keen wit and a kind and sunny disposition. I met Butch when I became executive director of a small non-profit corporation that provided recreational and leisure services to severely developmentally disabled persons. We had 26 clients, but I found that I enjoyed Butch's company so much I left the office behind every Thursday just so I could take Butch on outings in one of our company rigs. I used the excuse that I was "keeping in touch with what was going on in the field".
Butch was the strongest, most courageous person I ever met, and his personal happiness in the face of devastating physical handicaps that would have crushed me into a puddle of melted chicken fat led me to view him as the most courageous person I ever knew, and I don't do heroes, but if I did, my hero would be Butch.
I am the happiest person in the world, and a large part of the reason for this was the lessons that Butch taught me.
I'm still working on being kind, like Butch was, and he's number one on my list of the best of America.