Disabled Person
1981
Citation:
Background Information was quoted from A Diadem for Detroit: The Continuing History of Mercy College of Detroit, 1966-1990 by Mary Justine Sabourin, RSM. "In celebration of the United Nations' Year of the Disabled Person, the 1981 Mercy College of Detroit Commencement exercises focused on this issue. The Commencement speaker was a writer and author on the topic of disabilities. Formerly a staff reporter for the Washington Post, Robert Meyers wrote a poignant narrative of his brother Roger's struggles to become 'more normal.' The author's brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Virginia Meyers, both of whom had mental disabilities, were the recipients of honorary bachelor's degrees from the College on May 9, 1981. "They were two people who never wrote themselves off, who overcame physical and mental handicaps of their own as well as the ignorance and arrogance of others,' said Mr. Meyers. 'They moved from restrictive institutional environments into supervised apartments and then into apartments of their own in the regular community....' After the inspired address by Robert Meyers, President Mansour conferred honorary degrees on Roger and Virginia Meyers "In recognition of your courage in overcoming physical and mental disabilities, and of your determination in achieving an independent life, and In gratitude for the education and inspiration you have provided through your example, Mercy College of Detroit confers upon Roger Meyers an honorary bachelor of arts degree this ninth day of May, 1981.'" Commencement, Mercy College of Detroit, May 9, 1981.