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Frank Ricci becomes an extraordinary champion for those with dyslexia
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As Ricci v. DeStefano drew public attention for the involvement of Supreme Court Justice nominee Sonya Sotomayor and the questions it raised about racial justice, those who face a disability in learning how to read gained a champion.
Multiple articles on the case detailed the effort that plaintiff and fireman Frank Ricci, a man diagnosed with dyslexia,invested in a plan of study. His was a demonstration of supreme effort. Other than fulfilling his duties as a fireman, he took on the commitment of studying. His strategies included having the prep books read onto audio tapes. His effort was rewarded when he finished sixth on the exam.
Then the rules changed with the City of New Haven deciding that since no one finishing in the top 10 was African American or Hispanic, the City would most likely face a race-based discrimination lawsuit if they appointed anyone so they chose to appoint no one. On Monday, the Supreme Court of the United States validated Mr. Ricci's efforts by reinstating the promotions based on the final test scores.
So dyslexia, a disability that negatively impacts an estimated one in 10 persons, can be overcome successfully if someone dedicates themselves to achieving a goal. He'll be joining a group of ordinary people who have become champions.
Susan Boyle opened her mouth and became the champion of arts programming for the masses, talented people who are shy, church volunteers and caregivers. Dana Bowman became the first double amputee to re-enlist in the U.S. Army, and then became the first soldier with artificial limbs to officially jump again as a a member of the Army's Golden Knights. His original injury came during a jump that killed a fellow knight; his rehabilitation took him back into the skies.
Without PR professionals or marketing strategies, each of these people steered the national conversation to the ordinary elements of their lives. It is against these backdrops of the routine and the common that makes their ultimate success so distinctive.
For more information:
On dyslexia: http://www.interdys.org/
About Susan Boyle: http://talent.itv.com/finalists/finalist-detail/item_400003.htm
About Dana Bowman: http://www.danabowman.com
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