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Alex Bohr

Mrs.Goodale

American Literature

Period F

1/22/16

The Battle Against Discrimination

Have you ever thought of the backbone of your freedom? Many people take the

Constitution for granted, and dont understand the true meaning of this document. Could one say

that it is true that our constitution is lying to us, citizens of the United States of America? We

live in a nation which was built on the idea of equality for all men, and later, all women. Our

founding fathers wrote this document for the sole purpose of creating a new nation that

guarantees all people live free in a land comprised of different individuals, whether that be of

race, sex, or ability. Today,however, our nation does not follow those principles, citizens of the

United States. I am not referring to the race riots or racism that is already occurring across the

country. No, what I am referring to is the silent battle that is raging across this nation. Men,

women, and children are in this fight; all because of one similar characteristic: they are missing a

limb, whether it be through birth or amputation. This nation has begun to discriminate against

these individuals in ways that seem incredulous, and I am one of those individuals. I stand here

to talk with you about the necessity to change the ways that Americans think of amputees, and to

lift laws that unfairly limit the potential and freedom to pursue their dreams.

I was born on June 29, 1999, and I wasnt any ordinary child at birth. I was born without

my left hand, a condition called symbrachydactyly. Now, I never wished this to happen to me; it
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just happened, but, more importantly, I never let it stop me from doing anything. When I was

young, I had this dream to join the United States Army and serve my country. This dream was

the only thing I wanted to do with my life, all the way up to the middle of my sophomore year in

high school. That was the year that I learned that the United States Army would not let me join

because I am missing my left hand. This was a huge upset to my dreams, and later I learn that I

could not even join law enforcement, because of my missing left hand. But, why cant I join. I

can accomplish anything that you can, just in a different manner. Missing a limb should not be

why you stop someone from serving their country abroad or on the homefront. Life does not

come without challenges, and for me, well, I just have had a little more challenges in order to

achieve my accomplishments.

The U.S. militarys website, Military.com, defines medical conditions in which will

disqualify a person from joining the U.S. military. As I am missing my left hand, the website

states that absence of hand or any portion thereof except for fingers as noted above will

disqualify you from serving your country.1 Though, why is this a problem for this nations

armed services? If someone wants to serve his/her country in battle, why should he/she be

denied that opportunity? There are members in the United States Armed Services now who have

lost limbs in battle, yet, they continue serving, despite their condition. According to US News, at

least 167 soldiers who have had a major limb amputation (complete loss of an arm, leg, hand, or

foot) have remained on active duty since the start of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, with some

returning to battle2. Many others have returned overseas to work in support roles behind the

lines. Is that any different than me, or any other person who wants to join and are missing a

1
http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/disqualifiers-medical-conditions.html
2
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/05/25/new-prosthetics-keep-amputee-soldiers-on-active-duty
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limb? How is that different than my situation? Obviously, a man, or woman, who lost a limb in

battle will have to re-learn how to fight and operate equipment. That would be the same for me,

or anyone who wants to join the military already missing a limb. We would have to learn how to

overcome and adapt to any situation. According to the United States Marine Corps website,

there is an axiom, Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.3Furthermore, those three words

symbolize the flexibility, resourcefulness and quick decision-making ability found throughout

the Marine ranks.4 Furthermore, this axiom symbolizes exactly what any Marine or Soldier has

to do when they join the military. I, or anyone who is similar to me, will need to adapt and

overcome situations, and, growing up without my left hand, I have certainly learned to overcome

many situations; it is not new to me.

In the U.S. Constitution, there are two amendments which directly relates to this

situation. Those are the fifth and the fourteenth amendments, which state that no American shall

be deprived of life, liberty, or property. The fifth amendment states exactly that, in which no

person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. In addition,

there has been no hearing about amputees serving our country, as far as I know, and according to

the constitution, that is against the law. There has been no due process of the law on this matter.

(The fourteenth amendment states the same as the fifth, but it also presents other laws.) In

section one of the fourteenth amendment, it states No state shall make or enforce any law which

shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state

deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any

person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.5 As I see it, this government is

3
http://www.marines.com/history-heritage/traditions
4
http://www.marines.com/history-heritage/traditions
5
U.S. Constitution
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depriving me and other amputees the right to serve our country without due process of the law.

This is completely against what our Founding Fathers had expressed into this document, which is

supposed to protect all citizens, no matter who they are or their ability.