Students, faculty and staff gathered around the steps at Lankford Student Union on Wed., Jan. 19 to hear excerpts of a Christopher Reeve speech and to focus on how civil rights is more than just race or religious struggle. The event was part of Longwood University's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day observances. This year, the theme of the observances was "Superheroes for Social Justice."
Remarks were made by current Longwood student, Clint Mooney, '14; Farmville Police Chief Doug Mooney, Clint's father; Dr. Walter Witschey, professor of anthropology and science education; and Ryan Follett, Employment Services Manager at STEPS, Incorporated. The speech focused on disability in civil rights and was entitled "An Evening with Christopher Reeve," excerpts from the late actor's 1999 speech on disability as a part of civil rights.
Mooney used to run cross-country for Longwood before suffering a debilitating accident. The weekend of Oktoberfest 2009, Mooney wrecked his truck on River Rd. in Prince Edward County on his way to Cumberland to a cousin's house. Mooney was trying to avoid hitting a deer, when he went off the road into loose gravel and was ejected from the vehicle after it had flipped several times.
Among a slew of injuries, Mooney broke his eye bone, jaw, both collarbones, six ribs, and his back. He credited his friends and family for him being able to get to where he is today. Because of the injuries, Mooney has paralysis and has to live day-by-day in a wheelchair. "It's a tough transition to get used to," said Mooney. He described surviving as his "second chance."
While Clint said he couldn't remember much from the night of his accident, his father does. Chief Mooney said during the course of his career in law enforcement, he has had the opportunity to help many people, just like many of his fellow officers. "I've also had the misfortune of having to tell people bad news more times than I want to remember," he said. The night of his son's accident, he was on the other end of that misfortune.
Mooney said when he arrived at the hospital, he was greeted by the chaplain-usually a sign of the worse. However, he quickly learned that his son and nephew, who was a passenger in the vehicle, had both survived.
Still, he said he could tell by the look on the trauma doctor's face that the news was bad. "Usually, I'm on the opposite end of that conversation and I have the same look," he said.
Mooney said through his son's recovery he has learned to cope differently. "You don't have to see how it affects people. The only way to learn this, unfortunately, is to live through it."
The chief said at the hospital there were many others with injuries similar to his son who were not giving up. "It seemed like they were telling you that the disability was no more than a challenge to succeed."
He said his parents had instilled in him as a child to "stand up for what is right" and to keep moving forward. "One of the lessons that I've learned is no matter what your life story . keep trying, keep plucking ahead, keep trying to succeed, no matter what the problem is."
The remarks made by Clint and Doug Mooney led to the reading of Christopher Reeve's speech. Reeve was cast to play the role of Superman in the original movie at the age of 26. Many saw him as invincible, thanks to his iconic character. However, in May 1995, Reeve was thrown off his horse in Albemarle Co., Va., and became a paraplegic.
A number of students, faculty, and staff all read parts of the speech, which spoke about the importance in recognizing disability support in regard to civil rights.
Follett then gave closing remarks and led a march down Brock Commons, from Dorrill Dining Hall to Beale Plaza and then back. The marchers chanted "Civil Rights Now" during the march.
Follett said he was honored to come out to Longwood. He said we should all "embrace our diversity and make sure we are including them in our world because it is their world as well." He added the importance to share the message with students since they will be leaders in the future.
"It's really close to my heart to know that I am helping to impart knowledge on people who will be the future business leaders who will then hopefully be more in tuned to the fact that they can hire and rely upon persons with disabilities to be part of their business and part of their team and know that they'll be doing a good job for them, just like anyone else," said Follett.
Charles Wongus, sophomore, said, "I feel like we have a very large population of students that have a disability, and I feel like Longwood needs to do more to make it easier for them on campus."
Follett said that most people "grow up" in history books and learn that civil rights are a racial or religious pursuit. "I think it's really important to show this to people because we don't get trained.
