TuDiabetes

Ann Bartlett

On Judge SotoMayor: Have We broken the Glass Ceiling?

Last week a jury decided that the FBI was discriminating against Jeff Kapche for having type 1 diabetes, instead of qualifying him on the merits of his ability to do the job. And today with the announcement from President Obama for his support of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, this begs the question, have we broken the glass ceiling? I think we are seeing improvement. Here is part of my blog on HealthCentral.


Last Thursday, a jury ruled that Jeff Kapche, a type 1 diabetic, had been discriminated against when the FBI refused to hire Jeff as a Special Agent because of his type 1 diabetes. Jeff Kapche was not a stranger to discrimination from law enforcement. In 1994 San Antonio police refused to hire him for the same reason. His argument was that he should be judged on his merits and not stereotyped for his diabetes.

Today, President Obama officially nominated for the Supreme Court, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, a type 1 diabetic. Judge Sotomayor has been serving as a judge for the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. During the Presidents nomination speech, he noted that as a child, Judge Sotomayor was inspired to become a detective like Nancy Drew, but was told that she could not join law enforcement because of her diabetes. The President's comment could not have come at a better time! Thanks to the jury's decision last Thursday, the answer now is she CAN decide what she wants to be without limitation!

Both of these stories are about the diabetes glass ceiling. Should we be barred from jobs that we qualify for because of type 1 diabetes? In regard to sitting on the Supreme Court, does this position fall under the American Disabilities Act? I would assume that it does. But isn't the larger question, who is immune from potentially serious health problems? Is there a difference between Judge John Roberts, who is suspected of having epilepsy and Judge Bader Ginsberg who is recovering from cancer surgery and Judge Sotomayor?

To finish the blog click on the link in the first paragraph.

Tags: 1, diabetes, discrimination, inspiration, judge, news, sotomayor, type

Comment

You need to be a member of TuDiabetes to add comments!

Join TuDiabetes

Peter Comment by Peter on May 27, 2009 at 5:57pm
No one should be kept from any job because they are Diabetic Type I or II. A soldier in Iraq can pass out from the heat 120+ degrees, whether he or she is Diabetic. An airline pilot can be too drunk to fly and have been doing the job for years, before he of she gets caught, if they do get caught. People who are not diabetic pass out all the time at work and they are not usually disqualified or fired because of it. Why are Diabetics held to a higher standard? It is preconceived that Diabetics will pass out more often? with greater frequency? with worse results? Its OK to pass out as long as it is not Diabetic related?
Ken Winters Comment by Ken Winters on May 27, 2009 at 8:27am
Ryan, Judge Sotomayor has never ruled on a case directly relation to Abortion and in the 1 remotely connected case (i.e. Center for Reproductive Law and Policy vs. Bush) she ruled against the pro-choice position. She should be evaluated based on her actual judicial record and abilities, not on what political pundits assert.

While battle field conditions clearly aren't conducive to T1 Diabetes or many other diseases, there's no reason why a T1 under good control shouldn't be an airline pilot. T1's who lose consciousness clearly aren't under good control.
Ryan Comment by Ryan on May 26, 2009 at 9:32pm
Depends on the job. An airline pilot or a soldier on the battle field, I can see the problems with type 1 diabetes!!
Ann Bartlett Comment by Ann Bartlett on May 26, 2009 at 5:34pm
Ryan, regardless of your opinion on abortion, what is your opinion on diabetes being a determining factor if you are qualified for a job?
Ryan Comment by Ryan on May 26, 2009 at 5:24pm
She is an activist judge that supports the murder of innocent babies in the womb!!! She doesn't need to be on the court!!!

Our goal by Sept. 14



Donate to Diabetes Hands Foundation



Community Ad

Spread the word

Loading…

Get Badge

Our Programs

EsTuDiabetes
Word In Your Hand
Drawing Diabetes
Diabetes Supplies Art
No-Sugar Added Poetry

Groups

Diabetes Resources


TuDiabetes Team

Founders
Manny Hernandez
Andreina Davila
Lead Administrator
MelissaBL
Administrators
Bradford
Gerri
Lorraine
Scott
Teena

Other Volunteers


TuDiabetes Elsewhere

TuDiabetes on Twitter
Diabetes Hands Foundation Facebook Page

Tell Others About TuDiabetes

Receive our Monthly TuDiabetes Newsletter
Newsletter Archive

© 2010   Created by Diabetes Hands Foundation, P.O. Box 9421, Berkeley, CA 94709.
Diabetes Hands Foundation (DHF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations to DHF are eligible to be deducted.

Disclaimer
The contents of TuDiabetes is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, including without limitation diabetes. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on TuDiabetes.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. The Diabetes Hands Foundation does not endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, services, procedures, opinions, or other information that are advertised or mentioned on the web site.

TuDiabetes®, TuDiabetes.org®, Word in Your Hand™, Drawing Diabetes™, Diabetes Supplies Art™, No-Sugar Added Poetry™, Making Sense of Diabetes™, The Big Blue Test™ and HealthSeeker™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Diabetes Hands Foundation.

Badges  |  Contact Us  |  Terms of Service