Paterson To Be 1st Disabled N.Y. Gov. Since FDR

by Treadmarkz

David Paterson will take office Monday as the Governor of New York after the resignation of Eliot Spitzer. Legally blind since infancy, Paterson will be the first disabled Governor in New York since Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In the History of the U.S., there have only been two blind senators, and one blind congressman.

It is noteworthy that in this story, the author contends that Paterson’s becoming Governor is an inspiration to the blind, an example of what they can accomplish, and then he goes on to say of Maricar Marquez, a Helen Keller Center employee, that Marquez “is deaf and blind and communicates with the aid of two interpreters, but still manages to work as an instructor at the Helen Keller center.” The bold italics was added by me, for emphasis. Even in a story about a great moments for a disabled person, there has to be a patronizing statement like that. Unbelievable.

Paterson may not prove to be the greatest governor in U.S. history, and he should not be expected to perform twice as well to prove his equality to others. Nor should it be deemed “good enough” if he performs almost as well, just because he is blind. I would urge the people of New York to judge him on the same standards as you judged past governors.