David: I found your background most inspirational and should help to 
modify the thinking of we so-called normal people.

I am also reminded of a conference I attended in Sydney, NSW around 
fifty years ago that included a topic (may not be the precise words): 
"At one time or other we are all disabled."  The theme was developed to 
demonstrate that at some stage in our lives, we all have some kind of 
mental or physical disability that should not prevent us from working in 
an appropriate job. While it may limit the range, there is always 
something out there. You have well demonstrated this.
Best wishes
Desmond Kennard
Museums in the making

David Lewias wrote:

> Howdy all -- (waving my crutch) --
>
> I was born with multiple birth "defects" -- including, among other 
> things, severe scoliosis, (curvature of the spine), and a misformed 
> right foot and leg which was amputated just above the knee shortly 
> after birth. I now walk/run/dance the jig with one crutch and an 
> artificial leg. Although most of my childhood was spent in and out of 
> hospitals, I'm delighted to say I've been "hospital-free" for years. 
> Through it all, I have NEVER thought of myself as "handicapped" and I 
> have never let my "disabilities" influence my "abilities" or my 
> aspirations. I am totally independent, mobile, and in most respects, 
> "normal" -- with the exception that I DO get to park (legally) in the 
> handicapped spaces at the mall. I've never regretted my disabilities. 
> My disabilities are me, it is all I know, (I've never walked on two 
> "real" legs). They have helped define me, they've helped make me who I 
> am -- and I like who I am!
>
> As a kid, I wanted to be a fireman when I grew up. The fact that I had 
> numerous medical problems that would prevent this never entered my 
> mind nor dampened my dream. Countless firefighters whom I met in my 
> younger years, fanned this childhood dream into a full-fledged 
> “obsession.” Now, thirty years later, it has become a lifelong 
> avocation and an
> important part of my vocation. I progressed from a kid who played with 
> fire truck toys, to a collector, and now to a historian and researcher 
> and curator of a fire museum.
>
> Honestly I've never had any issues with my disability (possibly 
> because I don't have many limitations).  Sure, I'm short, and can't 
> carry a lot of weight, but so too are many female museum curators.  I 
> often get curious looks and questions when I give school tours, but I 
> answer them honestly and succinctly and move on (just as I do when 
> standing in line at the grocery store). 
>
> I know I am "lucky" - lucky to have employers with open minds, lucky 
> to have an optimistic personality, and lucky to have a sense of humor 
> for those times when all else fails -- (like the times when the 
> director threatened to run my crutch through the saw-mill-museum where 
> I was interning for a summer).  *grin*
>
> WARNING - I'm standing on my soapbox in this next paragraph. . . .
> I agree with the previous poster.  I don't think your friend needs a 
> "disabled" mentor, just as I'd hope an African-American wouldn't 
> *require* an African-American mentor.   The reality is this person is 
> applying for a museum job, and a good (experienced) mentor (of any 
> race, color, creed, or ability) should be able to offer support, 
> direction, and guidence.   On the other hand, it *is*  true, sometimes 
> it's nice to have a friend who's "been there" (where ever "there" 
> happens to be -- be it disabled or African-American) -- and should 
> your friend desire, he/she is welcome to email me.
>
> - David -
> David Lewis, Curator
> Aurora Regional Fire Museum
> www.AuroraRegionalFireMuseum.org 
> <http://www.auroraregionalfiremuseum.org/>
>
> (630) 892-1572 Museum
>
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