Every American should expect their leadership to fight for the right of everyone to participate fully in society.  With regular interactions of diverse populations America will continue to develop its own rich culture, expand its empathy, become less conscious of difference and more aware of the implications of our policy and action. 

Readers of Andrew Solomon’s book Far from the Tree are challenged to think critically about topics that American culture has traditionally categorized as “disabilities” and/or “life limitations” deafness, blindness, dwarfism, Down’s syndrome, atypical sexual preference.…