MSNBC: Pennsylvania Senate race 'offers a key teaching moment about disability'

Brett T. | 6:23 PM on October 25, 2022

OK, so they’re admitting it: Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman is disabled. As Twitchy reported, on the day of Fetterman’s debate with Dr. Mehmet Oz, the New York Times published an opinion piece by a neuroscientist on “what society can learn from John Fetterman’s stroke.” Apparently, Fetterman is better prepared to recover if surrounded by supportive and compassionate people — which sounds to us like he’d be better off at home than in the Capitol.

What else can society learn? MSNBC says that the Pennsylvania Senate race “offers a key teaching moment about disability.” Keep in mind that we’ve had disability advocates speaking up for a week now, and some people comparing having a stroke to wearing glasses.

Many disability rights advocates have criticized how Fetterman’s opponents and some reporters have highlighted his need for closed captioning during interviews.

Keep in mind: Reasonable accommodations should not disqualify a candidate. https://t.co/yaVtTYT9bC

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) October 25, 2022

Please, MSNBC, teach us:

Media portrayal of Fetterman’s recovery from a stroke has been the subject of controversy in recent weeks. Many disability rights advocates have criticized the way in which Fetterman’s opponents and some reporters have highlighted his need for closed captioning during interviews as he deals with auditory processing issues in the aftermath of his stroke. Keep in mind: Reasonable accommodations should not disqualify a candidate.

As Liz Plank wrote for MSNBC Daily earlier this month:

“Disabled Americans have the right to be represented, and most importantly, to work, and that includes working for the U.S. government. An employer wouldn’t be allowed to refuse to hire a person because they have a hearing or speech difference, so why is it acceptable when it comes to holding office?”

Yes, we need more mentally disabled people in the Senate.