New Yorkers Adapt To Blind Governor
By: Tommy Elder, Jr.
As the first officially blind governor in the United States of America- New York Governor David A. Paterson blazes a prominent trail for people living with disabilities. Jeremy W. Peters of the New York Times writes that Governor Paterson moves about the state with a half-dozen assistants. The number includes the governor`s aides and body guards. ``The bodyguards gently steer him, often with a hand on his back or arm, toward an exit or into a waiting vehicle.``
At news conferences- the governor`s press secretary calls on reporters who want to ask a question. They must state their names and the entity they represent before asking their questions.
Each day to prepare for his work- Governor Paterson- ``listens to very long articles or books on a special tape recorder for the blind that plays at speeds so fast it is difficult for others to comprehend.``
When speaking of how he performs his duties- Governor Paterson said- `The secret is how to adjust.` He continued- `I ask myself how am I going to fit into this world and how am I going to do it without killing myself.`
Often Governor David A. Paterson runs through his old environment in the Guilderland Community adajacent to Albany. He jogs on the same path each time. Addressing his life- Governor David Paterson said- `The secret is how to adjust.` He continued- `I ask myself how am I going to fit into this world and how am I going to do it without killing myself.`
Upon becoming governor- New York Governor David A Paterson ordered that the official New York State Website use enlarged type on the screen.
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