New Jersey Catholic is advocate for rights of the disabled

Published: 2006-01-20

CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J. (CNS) -- One of Dawn Parkot's missions is to speak out for the rights of those with disabilities. The 34-year-old computer scientist from Morristown, who has suffered from cerebral palsy since birth, has spent a lifetime quieting the naysayers -- among them her own doctors -- by building an outstanding resume that would put many able-bodied people to shame. A high school honors student, she earned bachelor's and master's degrees with honors from the University of Notre Dame and in 1999 was named Ms. Wheelchair New Jersey for her contributions to disability awareness and her personal witness to what people with disabilities can do. In a recent impassioned talk at her home parish of Notre Dame of Mount Carmel in Cedar Knolls, Parkot delivered a strong message to U.S. judges and doctors: "We don't want you to have the power over whether we live or die." Parkot said that if she can achieve great things despite severe physical problems -- which also include arthritis, asthma and legal blindness -- then other disabled people can as well.

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