President Obama’s pick for the US Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor, has Type I (Insulin Dependent) Diabetes. Sotomayor’s health and medical fitness for the top court position, along with diabetes more generally, is now the topic of hot political debate. The debate is likely to continue for weeks if not months, as Sotomayor’s diabetes becomes a national dinner table topic. Ominously, Time Magazine notes, “the potential for a catastrophic complication—by no means unique to her situation—highlights a serious deficiency in the nation's oversight of Supreme Court justices”.
It is difficult to read the increasingly alarmist coverage of Sotomayor’s health without catching strong whiffs of existential angst—that free-floating (and prejudicial) feeling of “discomfort, anxiety, defensiveness… experienced because of the fear of acquiring a disability”—so well described by Smart & Smart (2007). Clearly and regrettably the medical model of disability is alive, well, and being advanced by politicians and pundits of all sorts! What a shame so few of our opinion leaders and public figures are taking Sotomayor’s nomination as an opportunity to positively reframe not only diabetes, but also disability.
It is difficult to read the increasingly alarmist coverage of Sotomayor’s health without catching strong whiffs of existential angst—that free-floating (and prejudicial) feeling of “discomfort, anxiety, defensiveness… experienced because of the fear of acquiring a disability”—so well described by Smart & Smart (2007). Clearly and regrettably the medical model of disability is alive, well, and being advanced by politicians and pundits of all sorts! What a shame so few of our opinion leaders and public figures are taking Sotomayor’s nomination as an opportunity to positively reframe not only diabetes, but also disability.
Come on, pols and pundits! Sotomayor gives us a great opportunity to discuss what people with chronic illness CAN do. Accurately and fairly reported, her experiences may reduce some myths about diabetes and insulin, and put positive, hopeful, and realistic information about Type I diabetes in the public eye. Hmm... a discussion of job accommodations and the ADA would be appropriate right about now, too.
RELATED:
Sotomayor’s Medical History Sparks Wider Debate
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/13/sotomayors-medical-histor_n_203032.html
Sotomayor’s Diabetes: Will It Be a Handicap?
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1900962,00.html
Sweet Justice: Why Judge Sotomayor's diabetes shouldn't be ignored.
http://www.slate.com/id/2219373/
Don't Worry About Sonia Sotomayor's Diabetes
http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thehumancondition/archive/2009/05/26/should-we-care-about-sonia-sotomayor-s-diabetes.aspx
RELATED:
Sotomayor’s Medical History Sparks Wider Debate
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/13/sotomayors-medical-histor_n_203032.html
Sotomayor’s Diabetes: Will It Be a Handicap?
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1900962,00.html
Sweet Justice: Why Judge Sotomayor's diabetes shouldn't be ignored.
http://www.slate.com/id/2219373/
Don't Worry About Sonia Sotomayor's Diabetes
http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thehumancondition/archive/2009/05/26/should-we-care-about-sonia-sotomayor-s-diabetes.aspx
16 comments:
So because Sotomayor has diabetes, she's not a good candidate for the job?!?!? What's that all about? Ok, there are complications that are related to Ms. Sotomayor's ailment, but by no means should she be thought of as inappropriate or unsuitable for the job. Sure, the job entails inordinate amounts of stress, but then again, which job (all in all) doesn't?!? I think that a lot of the debate has to do with people who are misinformed about Type-I Diabetes, aka Insulin Dependent (diabetes). According to Web MD, there are approximately “ 23.6 million people in the United States -- 7.8 percent of the population --with diabetes,“ of which “17.9 million have been diagnosed, and about 5.7 million people have not yet been diagnosed. Each year, about 1.6 million people aged 20 or older are diagnosed with diabetes.” That’s a scary statistic. Imagine, if everyone with any type of illness/ailment and/or disability were publicly scrutinized for the disease or mality, then I think we’d all be in big trouble. Unfortunately, we as a society (as a whole), tend to look at one or two aspects or characteristics of a person and base our judgments and/or biases about them on just those two characteristics. For example, we know of a infamous decorated World War I veteran who was a handsome young man, raised in a good Catholic home, who went onto become ruler of the Nazi party, whom were responsible for the genocide of an estimated 6 million Jews. Or, who would have thought that a young man from humble beginnings , who also beings to go deaf in his early 20s and goes completely deaf before he reaches the age of 45, could have been such a musical genius? Would society have given him a chance to shine if it had based their decision about him based solely on those aspects of him. Beethoven suffered of a condition call “tinnitus” , a condition more commonly known as “ringing in the ears.” So now, ask yourself this, what would the realm of classical music be if someone would have said to him , “So sorry, Mr. Beethoven, we can’t have your Moonlight Sonata played here tonight under your conduction, we’re afraid we may be held liable if you go completely deaf tonight. We apologize for any inconvenience.” When we look at one aspect of the person we miss out on seeing the “whole” person. We need to guard ourselves of these biases on a daily basis, because it may be easy to fall into the temptation of seeing a person who suffers from Type-I diabetes, as a questionable candidate for supreme court justice, almost entirely because of immune system deficiency…None sense!! Type-I diabetes is manageable and people can live long and productive lives with medial treatment, the right diet and exercise.
Elizabeth C.P. (6300)
It is a shame that the media and America feel it necessary to focus on Ms. Sotomayor's ailments instead of her accomplishments thus far. People tend to feel the need to pick others apart when they see them trying to get ahead. Shame on Americans for choosing to do so and shame on us for listening. So many Americans suffer from diabetes and live full and happy lives. I think that what people are failing to say is that the real issue is that maybe the bias or prejudice is based on the fact that she is Hispanic or female or the fact that she was chosen by an unfavorable president (not my opinion). You rarely hear about other aging officials whom are male and ill who hold seats in the supreme court. By chosing to focus on her illness and not the real issue, people feel that they avoid sounding hypocritical when they couldn't be further from the truth.
J. Gonzalez
First of all, just because Sotomayor has Diabetes doesn't mean that she is unable to perform the job duties different than the others. What a coincidence that she also happens to be a woman and also a Hispanic. It saddens me to know that I am apart of this current trend regarding her disability. Many Americans of all ages are currently living with Diabetes and are happy and living life to the fullest! The majority of Americans need to stop being bias and respect,admire and encourage the fact that a woman and a minority is trying to succeed in life and become a great role model. Fellow Americans need to come together and realize that success comes in all sizes, shapes, and with no certain or specific characteristics.
Amy G.
I don't feel that Sotomayor's Diabetes will affect her performance on the job. I am sure that she has lived with Diabetes for a while that it has become a normal routine of everyday living. There are many other individuals in the Supreme Court that have disabilities, but for some reason or another it has not become headline news like it has with Sotomayor. The main issue here may not be that Sotomayor has Diabetes; it might be that America is not use to seeing a Hispanic woman in such a high position. It is sad to see that the press will focus on her disability rather on what she has accomplished as a Hispanic woman. Diabetes can be controlled by proper medication, dieting and exercising. I feel that discrimination is taking place in this situation. People are either discriminating against her because she has a disability, is a woman, or she is a minority (Hispanic). Only because you have all of the above does not make you unfit as a good candidate for the job and American needs to realize that.
It should be noted that Sotomayor's diabetes does not define who she is as person. And to place such a huge importance on that issue to me seems to be such a waste of time. Instead let us take a look at the task ahead and how her past career accomplishments and experience can improve the US Supreme Court.
Anabel Ponce / REHS 6300
I really am disappointed with the coverage of Sotomayor's medical condition. She has diabetes. So what? That definitely doesn't make her any less effective than her colleagues. In fact, I think it makes her stronger. Diabetes is not something that's easy to live with, yet, the woman remains highly composed. I think that Sotomayor could serve as a wonderful role model, not just for Latinos, but for everyone. I work as a middle school counselor in a low-income school. Unfortunately, diabetes is one disease that has affected my school community. Imagine how the kids will look up to someone who has the same thing they do and she is a Sumpreme Court justice? I know that my students were stunned when they were watching President Obama's inauguration. Many told me that they had hopes that one day a Hispanic could be elected to that highest position as well. With Sotomayor's seat on the bench, the kids will feel even more hopeful. I agree that public figures need to take this opportunity to speak about medical conditions and disabilities in a positive light. That's the only way to spin this bias around.
Vanessa C. (6300)
So much for “land of opportunity”…I guess what that means is only for a select few. Here we have a qualified woman, who against all odds is nominated for a seat on the Supreme Court, being examined not for her qualifications but based on her life with diabetes. In an article written by the United Press International, states that “the diabetes myths range from fear that Sotomayor may be too sickly to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court to worries that she may be taking too many medications to keep a clear head.” Wow, to think, if everyone was scrutinized the same way before being hired?
Sotomayor has been living with diabetes for the past 46 years and has been able to strive throughout her education and in public service as assistant district attorney, trial judge, and appellate judge. Other Supreme Court Justices have also been presented with health issues while serving-from cancer to being overweight and the question has been brought up of being “too ill” to serve. At this time there is no law (like the 25th amendment) that a Supreme Court Justice must answer to regarding an illness and service. So, if this is the problem, then make this the issue--not the illness.
In this life nothing is for certain and anyone at any point of their lives can be faced with a disability…even those in the eye of the public. From senators who are disabled war veterans-Max Cleland, a governor who happens to be blind-David Patterson, to presidents who were unable to walk-Franklin D. Roosevelt. Sonia Sotomayor, if accepted, would be another great representation of the diversity of America…a Hispanic woman with a disability.
-Karla P. (6300)
"Sotomayor pick reveals diabetes myths" http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/06/09/Sotomayor-pick-reveals-diabetes-myths/UPI-65421244550853/
It goes to show that our country that seems to made such progress in racism, disabilty and sexism still have a long way to go. Ms. Sotomayor is a very qualified canidate and can do her job but we still live in a country with many biases! The U.S.A. likes to pride themselves in not being racist, look down on disability or sexist but our additute on those issues still got a long way to still got to go. We have just become a bit better at hidding our biases. E. G.
I think Ms. Sotomayor is just a target of the political arena. So far she looks healthy and doctors think she is doing fine. I believe her life had been under stress before, so why panic now?
My personal believe is that diabetes is just and excuse.The real cause for this debate is ethnic and sex related. She will be the first female Hispanic to be seated at the the High Court, and I believe not every body in the USA is very happy about that. She is not just the prototype of the person everyone thought was going to be nominated (rich white men).
I like the statement of Dr. R. Robertson, president of the American Diabetes Association, "The advancement in the management of Type 1 diabetes have been just amazing over the last two decades, and the ability of people to manage their diabetes successfully have been proven,people with diabetes can function and live a long and healthy life".
We should take this as an opportunity to speak up about different medical conditions and how to overcome them.
Mary Carmen T.
Bias as such makes a lot of people look at the "possible" downfalls of her situation instead of the how she has overcome some great obstacles, including this medical condion, in order to get to such a prestige job. I personally think some people are just "haters" and are envious that a minority woman, with a medical condion is going to lead the judicial system. Besides like a point brought up by one of my classmates, what job does not come with stress and if employers asked people about their present health in an application and based it on that, then its sad to say but not very many people would have jobs now. Ultimately, I to think like the article, people should use Sotomayor's situation as a push to "what people with chronic illness CAN DO" and "put positive, hopeful and realistic information about Type I diabetes". Adriana Correa
I'd like to comment on Mary Carmen's comment, I belive like Mary Carmen is right by stating that Ms. Sotomayor is a target for the political arena. She has been given a clea bill of health. I am sure there is white men in congress more ill than her but she gets picked on for these reasons...she is a women and hispanic. Her diabetes does not hinder to be in congress. The rich white men need to get with the program to our ever changing world. E.G.
I do agree and don't agree with J. Gonzales comment. I do agree with the comment part that states that many people with diabetes live happy lives but I do not agree on the part of the statement thatMAYBE
it is because they are been bias because she is female and hispanic when you can plainly see it. E.G.
I totally agree with E.G. This topic clearly shows discrimination against gender, culture, and disabilities. There should be no discrimination against any disability. Nontheless, Diabetes is a disability that I am sure will not have a negative effect on Sotomayor's work development.
Gabriela L.
Here it is again, Sotomayor. WHy do so many people have a problem with her? Diabetes...ugh, dont like half of the white men who she'd be side by side with also have some sort of illness or ailment? and diabetes is controlled and treated. YOu can live with it. More people die from heart attacks than from diabetes anyway. Whats the big deal with her having diabetes? I really do feel that the issue is really her being hispanic AND a woman. Aren't we living in a different world now where anyone can become anything they want and where one can strive for success? What's really happening to America? Why can a woman be on top? (please dont take that last sentence wrong) Aissa S.
Comment on Elizabeth C.P's comment:
you have some really good insight and I totally agree. You really went far and beyond commenting. I like how you spoke about the Nazi leader...how he was raised and how he turned out. I liked the mention of the musical prodigy...who was in fact deaf who all musicians look up to and praise. I really enjoyed reading your comment. SUPER interesting. Aissa S.
Although i a am not a big fan of Sotomayor, i believe the diabetic diagnosis she has is not nor should it be a concern for her position. This goes back to the core of essential job fucntions. She can perform her job just as well as any other justice has existed. The diabetes should not, and hopefully will not be a media meat market for scruitny.
Eddie Reyes
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