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.
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.
-
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!!!
-
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?
-
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!!
-
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.
-
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?
Comment
Advertisements
Groups
TuDiabetes Team
DHF STAFF
 Manny Hernandez(Co-Founder, Editor, Patient) |
 Andreina Davila(Co-Founder, Patient Spouse) |
 Emily Coles(Program Manager, Patient) |
 Emily Walton(Office/Volunteer Coordinator) |
DHF VOLUNTEERS
Lead Administrator
 MelissaBL |
Administrators
 Bradford |
 Gerri |
 Lorraine |
 Marie B |
 Teena |
Spread the word
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
© 2012 A community of people touched by diabetes, run by the Diabetes Hands Foundation.
You need to be a member of TuDiabetes - a community of people touched by diabetes to add comments!
Join TuDiabetes - a community of people touched by diabetes