Harriet McBryde Johnson facts for kids

Harriet McBryde Johnson (July 8, 1957 – June 4, 2008) was an American author, lawyer, and important activist for disability rights. She had a condition that affected her muscles and nerves, so she used a special motorized wheelchair to get around.

Harriet's Life Story

Harriet McBryde Johnson was born in Laurinburg, North Carolina on July 8, 1957. She was one of five children. Her parents were college teachers. Even as a child, Harriet was very strong-willed. Her sister once said that Harriet tried to get a bad teacher fired, calling it "the start of her hell raising."

Harriet lived most of her life in Charleston, South Carolina. She studied history at Charleston Southern University and later earned a master's degree from the College of Charleston. She then became a lawyer after studying at the University of South Carolina.

Speaking Up for Disability Rights

Harriet was well-known for her strong voice in the disability community. In 2002, she had a public discussion with a famous thinker named Peter Singer. He believed that parents should be able to end the lives of their disabled children. Harriet strongly disagreed with this idea. She argued that disabled people have valuable lives and should be treated with respect.

Her experience with Peter Singer was written about in an article called "Unspeakable Conversations." This article was published in The New York Times Magazine in 2003. It even inspired a play called The Thrill.

Harriet also wrote a book about her own life called Too Late to Die Young: Nearly True Tales From a Life (2005). She also wrote a novel, Accidents of Nature (2006).

One very important article she wrote for The New York Times was called "The Disability Gulag." In this article, Harriet described places where disabled people were kept, often stuck in their wheelchairs with nothing to do. She wanted things to change. Harriet believed that disabled people should be able to live at home with help from family or friends, instead of being forced into institutions.

Harriet's Work as a Lawyer and Activist

As a lawyer, Harriet helped people who couldn't work get Social Security benefits. These benefits help people who are unable to work because of a disability.

She was also involved in politics. She was the leader of the Charleston County branch of the Democratic Party. She once described herself as a "disabled, liberal, atheistic Democrat," showing her beliefs and identity.

Harriet also spoke out during the controversial Terri Schiavo case. This was a difficult case about a woman in a coma. Harriet felt that the discussion around the case often missed an important point: it was about disability discrimination. She believed that disabled people's lives should not be seen as less valuable.

She also disagreed with the annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. Harriet felt that the telethon used "pity-based tactics" to raise money. She believed that disabled people should be seen as strong and capable, not just as objects of pity.

Harriet McBryde Johnson passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 4, 2008.

Awards and Honors

In 2003, Harriet McBryde Johnson was named "Person of the Year" by New Mobility, a magazine for people with disabilities.

Published Works

• Too Late to Die Young: Nearly True Stories From a Life (2005)
• Accidents of Nature (2006)