Disabled vet says focus on strengths

By Dijon Rolle, USAG Baden-Wuerttemberg Public AffairsMarch 11, 2011

Disabled vet says focus on strengths
Dr. Rory Cooper speaks with Sgt. 1st Class Larry Gray, NATO Equal Opportunity Advisor, during the U.S. Army Garrison Baden-Wuerttemberg Equal Employment Opportunity Disability Awareness Summit in Heidelberg, Germany March 3. Cooper, a former 5th Sign... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HEIDELBERG, Germany - It's been a little over three decades since Dr. Rory Cooper lost the use of his legs and gained access to a world he never would have imagined, at least not for himself.

Cooper shared his story with the crowd of Soldiers and civilians gathered in the ballroom of the Patrick Henry Village Pavilion during the Equal Employment Opportunity Disability Awareness Summit March 3 in Heidelberg.

In July 1980, Cooper was a 5th Signal Command Soldier stationed in Worms when he suffered a spinal cord injury in a training accident.

The event left the young Army sergeant paralyzed, yet determined to overcome his injury and live a normal life in spite of his disability.

"It was a challenge adjusting to having a spinal cord injury and using a wheelchair," Cooper said. "And on the other hand I was grateful to be alive and fortunate that there were great people who helped to mentor me ... they helped me to get through it, attend college and take advantage of all of the opportunities that were still available to me."

Cooper was a cross-country runner who qualified in the 1980 Olympic trials.

After his injury he channeled his love of athletics into other sports like wheelchair basketball to aid in his recovery.

He went on to earn a bronze medal in the 1988 Paraolympics games in Seoul, Korea.

Cooper also earned degrees in electrical and computer engineering and began working as an advocate for individuals with disabilities.

He spoke to the audience about how individuals without disabilities could better support those who are disabled, attitudes and discrimination he had encountered and some of the misconceptions employers can have about disabled people.

"With employers I think the biggest misconception is that having a disability means you're disabled and unable to work and unable to contribute.

But what it really means is that you have different abilities and you have to focus on those strengths that you have," Cooper said.

He urged disabled individuals to focus on their education and to not allow friends and family to do everything for them.

The summit was organized by the U.S. Army Garrison Baden-Wuerttemberg Equal Employment Opportunity office.

"We want to raise awareness of people with disabilities and to show people who are able bodied how people with disabilities get along, and that there is a thin line between persons who are able bodied and persons with disabilities," said Bonnie Ballard, USAG BW EEO. "It doesn't take but a minute or a second to become disabled. So we wanted Dr. Cooper to show how he has lived a successful life with a disability," she said. "Individuals with disabilities is one of our special emphasis programs and we want to ensure that persons who have disabilities are protected by the law and things are accessible for their needs."

Many years after his own accident, Cooper continues to work on behalf of disabled veterans and individuals. The Pittsburgh native has no intention of slowing down.

"Seeing the impact that the work I do has on other people with disabilities and seeing how their lives can be improved is motivating. I'm also inspired by the impact I can have on students in creating the next generation of people to help improve the lives of people with disabilities.

It's wonderful to be here and it's always great to reconnect with my Army family," Cooper said.

Cooper is a professor at the University of Pittsburgh and a director of the Paralyzed Veterans of America Research Foundation.

He also serves as a member of the U.S. Secretary of Veteran's Affairs Prosthetics and Special Disability Programs Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors of Easter Seals.

During the event guests were treated to a musical selection from Jimmy Godfrey, Mark Twain Village Chapel music director and Staff Sgt. Marvin Taylor from the Heidelberg Health Center.