Valor Becoming An Officer
Posted September 27, 2013 at 7:00 pm
By Thomas Stearns, ResearcherJust a couple of days after contacting author John W. Quinn on Facebook, the Museum of disABILITY History received a signed copy of his autobiography Someone Like Me: An Unlikely Story of Challenge and Triumph Over Cerebral Palsy. Inside, the title page contained a hand-written message of pure determination: “Work Hard. Never Give Up. Dream Big!”—words that will undoubtedly serve as a powerful source of inspiration to everyone who visits the museum and encounters his book, for Quinn embodies the message to an extraordinary degree.
Someone Like Me brings to life the story of John W. Quinn, a now-retired Senior Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy who served for two decades without ever disclosing the fact that he had a disability. Born with cerebral palsy, “a group of chronic conditions affecting body movement and muscle coordination,” Quinn faced challenges from the beginning. As a child, he recalls wearing “clunky” orthopedic shoes to help correct his “scissor-like, shuffling gait” and donning “thick, heavy glasses” to help correct his poor eyesight. In addition to their therapeutic purposes, these devices also prompted him to develop emotional armor in order to cope with the resultant bullying.
Quinn’s symptoms became more pronounced as he grew older, but his parents refused to let him be defined by his disability—even going so far as to (unsuccessfully) insist that the doctors at Children’s Hospital make no mention of his cerebral palsy on any official medical records. They did not want the label of “handicapped” or “disabled” to stigmatize their son for the rest of his life.
Although he does not encourage anybody to hide who they are, Quinn followed his parents’ decision to keep his disability a secret and was therefore able to pursue a dream that would otherwise have been unattainable—a career in the United States Navy.
The odds were certainly stacked against him, but Quinn persevered—enduring immeasurable pain and more than a year’s worth of preparation in order to pass the military entrance physical exam, and then excelling through the ranks by means of hard-work, intelligence, and an abundance of grit.
During the course of his naval career, Quinn served aboard dock landing ships, a battleship, a guided missile destroyer, and two Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, was stationed at an Air Force Base in Florida, and even received a special assignment to Navy SEAL Team THREE—“the first naval special warfare team in history to have non-SEALs assigned to its unit from its inception”—where he participated in grueling physical training exercises alongside some of the fittest military men on the planet.
The most remarkable aspect of John W. Quinn’s autobiography—aside from the fascinating accounts of his achievements—is the fact that it reads like fiction. Friends, family members, and events come to life with vivid descriptions, providing an engaging (and frequently heartwarming) backdrop for Quinn’s journey. It is easy to become absorbed in the narrative and feel as if you are standing right beside him.
Furthermore, Quinn does not shy away from discussing even the most painful times of his life. He writes candidly about his awkward childhood and teenage years, his struggle to find a viable career option, his experience confronting alcoholism and coping with deaths in the family (including the suicide of his older brother, Steven), and a particularly wrenching heartbreak—just to name a few.
Quinn battled symptoms of cerebral palsy throughout—including muscle spasticity, rigidity, and fatigue—as well as nearly constant, excruciating pain. And what’s more, he always needed to be cognizant of his actions and appearance lest someone discover his disability and push for his discharge from the U.S. Navy. The result is a captivating book with emotional depth and no shortage of excitement.
It also speaks volumes about the idea of inclusion, which Quinn defines as “the opportunity to succeed.” If he had disclosed the fact that he had a disability, he would never have been permitted to serve his country in the capacity that he chose. However, because he kept his cerebral palsy a secret, he was able to demonstrate just how powerful the human spirit can be when given “the opportunity to succeed.” Quinn’s desire is for society to continue moving forward in the 21st century so that everyone will have that opportunity. He wants the focus to be on people’s abilities, rather than on their disabilities (a message that the Museum of disABILITY History wholeheartedly supports).
Since the 2010 release of Someone Like Me, Quinn has been traveling the country as a motivational speaker and disability advocate. He takes pleasure in meeting with his readers and delivering presentations to schools, organizations, and corporations in an effort to expand awareness about a variety of different topics—including disabilities, bullying, teamwork, and life challenges. Described as a "natural storyteller," this sailor turned author has left audiences captivated and inspired.
For anyone who wishes to purchase a copy of Someone Like Me, please feel free to visit our Museum Store in person or online at http://store.museumofdisability.org/—we would be more than glad to help you!
For more information on John W. Quinn, please visit his website at http://www.johnwquinn.com/ or read his blog at http://johnwquinn.blogspot.com/. He also maintains a video blog at http://www.youtube.com/user/authorjohnwquinn, which features some fascinating topics of conversation.
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