In events of mass violence, who protects people with disabilities?
My late daughter's Rett syndrome heightened my fear of such tragedies
Most people from my parents’ generation remember where they were when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Sept. 11, 2001, was my generation’s “Where were you when …?” I was driving to an 8 a.m. class when I heard on the radio that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Classes at the University of Illinois were canceled, and my roommate and I spent the rest of the day glued to the TV.
There have been many other acts of mass violence in my lifetime, including shootings at Columbine High School, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook Elementary School, and, recently, Church of the Annunciation, where students were attending a schoolwide Mass. The 2022 shooting at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, was not only close to home (I live 45 minutes away); I knew several people who attended the event.
It was the Highland Park tragedy that made me spiral. I worried what would happen if my children — especially my daughter Cammy, who passed away due to complications of Rett syndrome in December 2023 — were ever in such an emergency.
My fear of senseless acts of violence escalated because of my daughter’s profound special needs. As a teenager, Cammy was still completely dependent upon everyone else. She would have been unable to scream or communicate in the event of a crisis such as a mass shooting. Cammy would’ve been unable to run and hide for her safety. She would’ve been completely reliant upon school staff or a family member to help her take shelter.
On 9/11, firefighters ran into fatally damaged buildings, strangers guided people to safety, and countless others selflessly put their own lives at risk to help their community. During mass shootings, many people go into fight-or-flight mode and do what they need to do to protect their loved ones.
Of course, my husband and I would risk our lives for our children, but how can we expect school faculty to do the same? They have their own families and loved ones, and yet, they are expected to shield our kids.
As I reflect on these tragedies, I cannot help but think that, more than likely, there were people with disabilities present. There must have been folks with mobility challenges who relied on others to get them out of harm’s way. There must have been people who had difficulty processing what was happening or needed assistance due to sensory overload.
These tragic events, and their anniversaries, always make me think about the innocent lives that were lost or harmed. But it wasn’t until I had Cammy that I began to deeply reflect on what these crises must be like for people with disabilities and their families.
Note: Rett Syndrome News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Rett Syndrome News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Rett syndrome.
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