25th Disability Awareness Event Deemed Success

California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) recently hosted their 25th Annual Disability Awareness Event; an opportunity for visitors to become aware about disability issues, and for vendors to show the various resources available to those with disabilities. The highlight of the event, however, was speaker Jonathan Mooney, a man who grew up with dyslexia and ADHD and overcame the difficulties and social stigmas that came with them. Mooney, a published author, spoke about his personal experiences as he conveyed his experiences on what is called "disability", pointing out that normalcy is a perspective and that many are “struggling against this myth that there is this mind we should have, that there is this body we should have.” In other words, disability is merely a term to describe those who do not fit in with the current social view of what it is to be normal, both physically and mentally. Mooney also shared his view on what to define as intelligence, a major factor in mental disability. According to him, “intelligence comes in many forms.” Empathy could be a form of intelligence, as would any particular ability a person is good at, and as a society he felt that “we need to recognize and celebrate” such intelligence. At one point Mooney took a few questions from the audience and when asked about his interests in sports, he talked about how “sports were a haven for me.” He went on talk about how schools treated them as a kind of privilege that can be taken away, something Mooney did not agree with. “Everyone has a right to that” was his view on extracurricular sports. After all, even if someone is called “mentally disabled” it does not mean that they cannot play a sport. Mooney also had advice for his audience: “Never give up on something.” Whether you’re what society deems “normal” or not, do not quit, especially on something you’re truly passionate about. When the event ended, Eric Rodgers talked about his own thoughts. He enjoyed listening to Mooney speak and revealed that he even follows Mooney on YouTube. He found much of what Mooney said to be meaningful. Brianna Sone, another attendant of the event, had this to say: “Everybody gets something different” out of the experience. A fair and accurate statement, as indeed no individual is the same. Everyone who came and heard Mooney speak, whether "able-bodied" or “disabled” took something with them when they stepped out of the room that day.