Four Huntsville Center employees with unique individual stories sat before a crowd of more than 50 to dispel myths and deliver reaffirmation during the Center’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month program Oct. 20.
Observed each October, the month celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates people about the value of a diverse workforce inclusive of their skills and talents.
Huntsville Center’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office produced the program. Instead of the normal event format, which often features a guest speaker from outside the Center, this event provided attendees with insight into the lives of four Center employees via a panel discussion format.
Colleen O’Keefe, Center contracting chief, mediated the event and explained why the format was chosen. “We considered bringing in an ‘inspirational’ speaker, but felt that we have enough inspiration here at Huntsville Center so our panel members would like to share their stories and open a dialogue with you,” O’Keefe said.
The panel included Pam Fuqua and Daniel Unsen, Center contracting; Arthur Martin III, Installation Support and Programs Management directorate; and Will White, Engineering Directorate. The panelists spoke candidly about their disabilities relaying their struggles and their accomplishments.
Unsen spoke about his hearing defect and relayed the importance of seeking assistance early.
“I waited until my late 30s to seek out resources to help and I hope that people seek help and assistance resources (early). Seek help. Don’t be afraid. Don’t wait,” Unsen said.
Fuqua spoke on her son Damian’s diagnosis with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, one of nine types of muscular dystrophy. Damian lost his battle with DMD and passed away in 2012. Fuqua explained how her spirituality and Damian’s attitude helped her through the ordeal. “Damian never lost his smile,” Fuqua said.
White was a 19 year old soldier serving in Vietnam when he lost his leg to a bomb during an attack on his base there in 1970. White said he never let it interfere with his ability to move forward in his life and his career. “A disability is a matter of perspective. Believe in your heart what you are and you won’t become disappointed,” White said.
Martin, who has worn a prosthetic leg since childhood, said in high school he decided a military career after graduation. He said a recruiter told him that he couldn’t join because he couldn’t meet the military’s physical requirements. “I figured if I can’t be a general in uniform, I’d be a general in a three piece suit,” Martin said. After graduating high school in 1986, he immediately began working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Martin, said when he was asked to be on the panel, he originally had reservations.
“Initially, I thought ‘why? I’m not disabled; so why would I want to sit on a panel and talk about disability when I spend all of my days being normal,’” Martin said.
However, Martin said after attending one of the Center’s disability employment awareness program committee meetings, he was an eager participant.
“I actually attended a (committee) meeting with my mind not being made up about participating on the panel. But after I heard the theme ‘Inclusion works, make it a core value’ it really played to the story of my existence so I had to be a part of the panel,” Martin said.
Sonja Rice, Huntsville Center EEO specialist, said today’s celebration was meant to remind people that inclusion of people with disabilities into the work force is a core value.
“Each person brings unique job skills and abilities. Equity, dignity, respect and cooperation among all individuals are essential values in the Department of Defense work environment,” Rice said.