CHICAGO – When Jessica Anacker was in junior high, a teacher pulled her out of English class one day after she was bullied by a student because of her learning disability.
Instead of disciplining the tormenter, “she blamed me for being bullied,” Anacker said.
An angry Anacker fired back, telling the teacher, “It’s your job to take care of it.”
Now, president of the Texas Democrats With Disabilities caucus and a delegate at this week’s Democratic National Convention, Anacker is thrilled that there could soon be someone to “take care of” such issues at the highest level of government.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the vice-presidential running mate of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, has spoken openly and lovingly about his 17-year-old son Gus, who has ADHD, along with a non-verbal learning disorder and an anxiety disorder. Walz and his wife, Gwen, both former teachers, said recently in a statement to People magazine that they never considered Gus’ conditions an obstacle.
“Like so many American families, it took us time to figure out how to make sure we did everything we could to make sure Gus would be set up for success as he was growing up,” the couple said.
“It took time, but what became so immediately clear to us was that Gus’ condition is not a setback — it’s his secret power,” they added.
When Walz delivered his acceptance speech inside the packed United Center arena Wednesday night, Gus watched from the audience with his mother and sister, Hope, and sobbed.
“Hope, Gus and Gwen – you are my entire world, and I love you,” Walz said.
Gus Walz sprung from his seat, moved by his father’s words.
He pointed his index finger, saying “I love you, dad.”
Advocates for Americans with learning disabilities believe the Walz family’s openness about their son and their willingness to speak publicly about the experience will raise much-needed visibility that could help others who are going through similar issues.
“It’s a good thing when people in politics, who are running for office, are comfortable discussing disability issues and don’t view it as a topic that is taboo or something that we shouldn’t discuss,” said Zoe Gross, director of advocacy for the Washington-based Autistic Self Advocacy Network.
When public figures are open about their experiences with disability or those of their family, that can lead more people to feel comfortable disclosing their own disabilities or talking about their family’s experiences, Gross said.
“That’s helpful,” she said, “because in order to talk about the needs of the disability community, we need to be comfortable discussing disability as a society, just like we talk about the needs of any marginalized population.”
