Journal 7 by Fatima Cisse

- Frida Kahlo ( to the top pictured above) was disabled by polio as a child. When she was 18, she suffered a bus accident that caused lifelong pain and medical issues. Kahlo was a well known artist.

- Nelson Mandela ( picture below) was a great example of someone who was determined to bring justice into apartheid South Africa. He was locked up for 27 years for fighting for equality. He didn’t let that stop him from doing what was right. He was a determined person 

Philosophers section- ph 221 waitress and blues singer Miranda Louise

Groundbreaker section - chef and restaurateur Laura Martinez 

I found both stories to be very meaningful. I love the messages that both woman in the books convey to the reader. In both stories the woman go after what they believe is their perfect jobs. For Miranda Louise, it is working in a dinner whilst working music gigs in an environment where she’s treated like family. In the case for Laura Martinez, it’s finishing schooling despite her disability. I related to her, I came to the US as someone who didn’t speak a word of English, but I eventually did. I too love cooking, and relate to the part where she would observe her mom and aunts cooking.

In both stories I read in the Book “callings” by Dave Isay. I noticed I enjoyed them particularly because I noticed fascinating similarities and differences. Firstly in regards to similarities i noticed that both Miranda Louise , the blues singer and waitress as well as Chef and restauranteur   Laura Martinez work in food service. Miranda Louise works as a waitress in a restaurant. In regards to Laura Martinez she is a restauranteur. They both have other jobs, which you could identify as them being entrepreneurs. Another similarity I noticed is both people have determination. Miranda Louise promised her blind coworker that she would provide transportation to her if her vision worsened. Laura Martinez had to prove to the culinary school she was enrolled in that she was capable of working although she was disabled, and she ended up graduating. 

In regards to differences I also noticed quite a few when reading both of these stories first one being Laura Martinez is a blind woman. Miranda Louise is not blind. Another being Laura Martinez had to look through many jobs and constantly get rejected because of her disability. In regards to Miranda Louise this was not the case because she got to work in a single dinner for over 20 years. In regards to Laura Martinez she waited, and eventually opened her own restaurant.

One research question that I was able answer due to the readings was “ Do disabled people have a harder time getting access to things such as jobs and things of this nature? I stated yes. After having read, I was indeed correct. Laura Martinez was turned down many opportunities because of her disability. Even whilst in school, people didn’t believe she had the skills to do what she was capable of doing.