Thank God DEI took no part in my disabled life

As a retired businessman who happens to be a double-amputee, DEI is an affront to every single thing my life has stood for. DEI begins with the premise I need help and everyone around me needs to be hobbled so I can compete. The idea is completely offensive and nothing less than a slap in the face. A system of meritocracy lays a foundation for self-esteem and dignity, while DEI makes any success meaningless.

I was born in the 1960’s when doctors called what I had, ‘weak bones’. It was in fact, osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disease which causes bones to be brittle, crack or break with little or no apparent trauma. Crippled kids grow up wanting to be a cowboy too. My dreams were the same as my peers and ultimately, my fathers. The difference in the 1970’s and 1980’s was there was no special programs for me. I didn’t need them. I competed in every activity I was able, to the best of my ability, alongside my able-bodied classmates in public school. I learned what I excelled at and what I did not. Due to the condition of my legs, they were amputated at mid-thigh when I was 18. In college in the 80’s, I competed on an even playing field in the classroom. When I began to purchase the family business, its success hinged on my grit, not any program.

Now I am retired and thankfully have similar memories with other retired businessmen, and my disability has nothing to do with it. We all struggled, but kept putting in the hours. Our business was our life and we made it what we wanted out of it. We overcame obstacles and paid off our debt, grew our inventory, improved buildings and land, and made friends for life. We did all this despite constant encroachment and ever-changing government regulations – not with their help.

There is much pride in being part of building a family business. Had DEI been part of my life at any point, it would have erased any pride I rightfully earned by competing with my peers at every stage of my life. I honestly do not understand why anyone would promote such a horribly, self-defeating idea. DEI removes any chance to someday sit back and recall with pride how hard fought your success was. The misplaced, misguided compassion from which DEI comes from is poison to the human spirit.