Comments about ‘Magnifying abilities: U. doctoral candidate continues to defy the odds’

Way to go Tina!! The combination of your amazing desire and discipline, along with the love and support of family and friends has been a great blessing in all of our lives. Congrats!!

"Both groups are "unable to undertake simple recreational activities such as eating out, going to movie theaters or visiting family members."

I found that quote very offensive as the daughter of two disabled parents.

Yes, eating out or going to movie theaters is a challenge, but it's economical. Last time I checked there were very few disabilities that prevented someone from viewing a movie (even if they're blind, they can usually still "see with their ears")as long as they have money for a ticket.

And sure maybe some accomodations need to be made in some situations, but it doesn't make them unable to preform that activity altogether.

In response to SLC GAL@0721. I am a disabled women and I can not go out to eat, see a movie or travel to visit friends. The reason is not that I am disabled but because I live on $717.00 per month. No I can not afford to eat out or buy a ticket for a movie. I do not live in SLC I live in a small ranching community. Here there are not transportation services available other than during a persons working hours or when I need medical appt. So I am glad your parent have the money for entertainment, but this lady is right disabled women who have to live on SSDI have two disadvantages. Who would like to take me out to a movie and dinner? I would love to go even to Church but my ward is to busy to ask me or call me etc. So reread this story it is poverty due to disability that she is speaking of. Just my story not everyone's.

achick - if you read my comment again, I meant that it is due to economic factors, not becuase your disability prevents you from doing anything.

If she meant that, due to economic factors, the disabled cannot do such and such, then it should have been reworded to come across that way. Or Deseret News should have reworded it so it came across that way.

To just say people cannot do something becuase of a disability as a blanket statement is terribly ignorant and uneducated.

Great article and great job, Tina! As a scholar and an advocate, you are going to improve the lives of thousands of individuals around the world. Keep it up!

The part where she talks about being qualified but not but not invited back for interviews once her physical disability became apparent resonates with me. We are deaf and intelligent and in no other way disabled, and we have degrees yet it is very difficult for us to get hired. My husband has an advanced degree but very few people call him when he sends out resumes even though he is highly qualified and adept at what he does. People are afraid of those who are differently-abled. Sad but true. Discrimination still exists, but is difficult to prove. We know it's there though.

congratulations on a job well done. I'm sure Tina will be an asset now and in the future. I can't help but notice the flag in the background and how much it bothers me when people feel free to change MY flag to "advertise" their own agenda. If you want a flag, create one. Just please don't change mine...it is as sacred to me as the Quran or Bible or any other symbol are to others.