WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.326 --> 00:00:04.836 >> I am a wife and a mother who currently works 2 00:00:04.976 --> 00:00:07.806 as a victim witness advocate 3 00:00:07.856 --> 00:00:10.846 for the Mercer County Prosecutors Office 4 00:00:10.946 --> 00:00:11.666 in New Jersey. 5 00:00:11.846 --> 00:00:16.166 >> After I was injured in 1986, I got involved in athletics. 6 00:00:16.286 --> 00:00:18.476 So I did a lot of sports. 7 00:00:18.776 --> 00:00:24.166 >> I am fortunate that I'm married, my wife Sara. 8 00:00:24.166 --> 00:00:27.326 I have a wonderful son Allen. 9 00:00:27.326 --> 00:00:29.576 You know, blessed to have a family 10 00:00:30.256 --> 00:00:35.566 that is a tremendous personal support and value to me. 11 00:00:35.566 --> 00:00:38.296 >> Having a disability doesn't mean that you're dead. 12 00:00:39.126 --> 00:00:43.726 Doesn't mean that you don't want to have a leisure life too. 13 00:00:44.346 --> 00:00:47.556 Doesn't mean that you don't want to do -- 14 00:00:47.796 --> 00:00:51.496 and don't have the same thoughts and feelings as everybody else. 15 00:00:51.856 --> 00:00:56.756 >> Although we've come a long way in society, and there's, 16 00:00:56.926 --> 00:01:00.676 you know, much more emphasis on disability rights today 17 00:01:01.346 --> 00:01:03.426 and independence for people with disabilities. 18 00:01:04.046 --> 00:01:07.556 There's still a lot of stigma that people 19 00:01:08.456 --> 00:01:10.176 with disabilities can't have families. 20 00:01:10.746 --> 00:01:11.566 Can't be married. 21 00:01:11.986 --> 00:01:13.196 Can't have children. 22 00:01:13.826 --> 00:01:15.926 Can't work a full-time job. 23 00:01:16.956 --> 00:01:20.116 You know? I've had even people with disabilities ask me, 24 00:01:20.116 --> 00:01:21.416 "Well, why are you working?" 25 00:01:22.076 --> 00:01:23.296 Well, I want to work. 26 00:01:23.376 --> 00:01:24.376 I want to work. 27 00:01:24.456 --> 00:01:27.126 I want to contribute to society. 28 00:01:27.126 --> 00:01:28.206 I want to make money. 29 00:01:28.336 --> 00:01:30.896 I want to be successful in my and to me 30 00:01:31.466 --> 00:01:33.246 if I can work I want to.