Open Letters to President Obama

Much has been made of President Obama's late night gaffe a couple weeks ago. While the initial brouhaha was simply reactionary, a few letters and opinions have caught our attention, graciously shared by those within the cerebral palsy community.

First, a letter from Rich Donovan, the United Cerebral Palsy National Board Trustee, along with fellow trustee Duncan Wyeth and disability advocate Dustin Longstretch urges President Obama to use this gaffe to shed light on and find solutions for people afflicted with disabilities in their day to day life.

Second, Sam Gill, a columnist at Politico.com, recognizes that the remark was offhand, yet views it as a prime opportunity to change a culture of "benign, thoughtless neglect" as to those with disabilities.

Third, Gary Karp, a disability advocate, author and speaker, has weighed in at the San Francisco Chronicle, remarking that this is an opportunity for change and advancement for the disabled, his support for Obama's policies on disabilities unwavering.

Our take: a faux pas for sure, but optimism for change is what ushered Obama into the White House. Awareness is a great start, and the swelling reaction from the disability community highlights just how important disability policy is to the nation.