Rising to the top: Donald Riley doesn't allow physical limitations to stop his aspirations.Donald "DJ" Biley was a teen when he had to stop using crutches and start using a wheelchair as his primary mode of transportation. A debilitating de·bil·i·tat·ing adj. Causing a loss of strength or energy. Debilitating Weakening, or reducing the strength of. Mentioned in: Stress Reduction genetic birth defect birth defect Genetic or trauma-induced abnormality present at birth. A more restrictive term than congenital disorder, it covers abnormalities that arise during the formation of an embryo's organs and tissues and does not include those caused by diseases (e.g. called Morquio syndrome Morquio syndrome Mucopolysaccharidosis IV Metabolic disease An AR mucopolysaccharide storage disease characterized by 6-sulfo-N-acetylhexosaminide sulfatase deficiency and excretion of keratosulfate in urine Clinical Coarse facies, short stature, and skeletal, , which affects muscle development, forced him and his sister to be homeschooled. "When I started walking on crutches, the school and my doctors determined that there might be some health dangers and liability," says Riley. "But today, there's Section 504 [of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans With Disabilities Act Americans with Disabilities Act, U.S. civil-rights law, enacted 1990, that forbids discrimination of various sorts against persons with physical or mental handicaps. , which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities], so now you have the right to reasonable accommodations reasonable accommodations A standard of providing for a worker's or customer's needs, as mandated by the ADA, which requires that a business make appropriate changes in the environment to accommodate those with mental or physical disabilities as long as such and every right to be with normal people and have a normal life." Although physical limitations have hindered Riley from what some may call a normal life, he's accomplished plenty, including earning two master's degrees in social work and public administration. "I've been able to take my physical disability and make lemonade ... and I'm trying my best to share it with as many people as I can," says the 46-year-old Riley. One's ability to overcome adversity comes down to your adversity quotient (AQ) says Paul G. Stoltz, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of PEAK Learning Inc. (www.peaklearning.com) and author of Adversity Quotient: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities (Wiley; $16.95). "It's your hardwired pattern of response to life's tough stuff," says Stoltz. "What we've discovered is that most people have adversity quotients that allow them to do well most of the time, but when there is a lot of adversity, only about 10% have the ability to come back." You could say that Riley has a high AQ. He hosts and produces an Internet radio Listening to audio broadcasts via the Internet. There are more than 4,000 broadcasts available on the Internet that can be streamed and played by a software media player in the computer or in a stand-alone Internet radio with the software built in. talk show called What's Going On What's Going On is a record by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on May 21, 1971 (see 1971 in music), What's Going On reflected the beginning of a new trend in soul music. and is making plans to finish research on self esteem for the physically challenged physically challenged adj. Having a physical disability or impairment, especially one that limits mobility. See Usage Note at challenged. n. (used with a pl. and chronically disabled at the graduate level. "The World Wide Web [and radio] gave me a passport to a view of what's happening in society that many people like me don't get. So now I have unlimited access to encourage and uplift." As he discusses plans to advocate for the rights of disabled youth and adults, Riley never uses his disability as an excuse. "I maintain a positive outlook by staying grounded in the fact that my limitations and obstacles are not mine personally, but ours collectively," Riley says. "I have to see myself as part of a group and understand that I'm not the only person who has to face these things and has accomplished [great things] in spite of it." SELF-ADVOCACY RIGHTS 1 Know the law. Federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Amendments Act are here to protect you. 2 Develop your resources. Reach out to government, elected officials, and advocacy groups. 3 Assert yourself. Contact resources via letters, telephone, and e-mail. 4 Ask for change. Write letters, arrange meetings, make specific requests. 5 Follow up. Always follow up with key organizations and leaders. Excerpted from Taking Action: A Step-by-Step, Self-Help Guide to Becoming a Self-Advocate & Making a Difference (www.unitedspinal.org) |
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