Ruth Sienkiewicz-Mercer facts for kids
Ruth Sienkiewicz-Mercer (born September 23, 1950 – died August 8, 1998) was an amazing American woman. She was a quadriplegic, meaning she had limited control over her body. Ruth became a strong voice for disability rights, helping people with disabilities live better lives. She is famous for her book, I Raise My Eyes to Say Yes, which she wrote with Steven B. Kaplan.
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Ruth Sienkiewicz-Mercer's Life Story
Ruth Sienkiewicz-Mercer was born in Northampton, Massachusetts. When she was just five weeks old, she became very sick with a brain infection called encephalitis. At 13 months, doctors said she had cerebral palsy. This condition affected her body, making it hard for her to move or speak clearly. Only her face and digestive system worked normally.
Because Ruth couldn't communicate in the usual way, some people mistakenly thought she wasn't smart. When she was five, she was wrongly called an "imbecile" because they didn't understand her.
Ruth lived mostly with her family until she was eleven. Her family struggled financially, so she couldn't stay long at rehabilitation centers. As she got older, it became very difficult for her mother to care for her at home. Her parents decided to send her to the Belchertown State School. This was a place for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Sadly, like many others there, Ruth was not treated well. For eight years, she spent most of her time lying in bed. The staff were often overworked and sometimes force-fed her.
How Ruth Learned to Communicate
Things started to change in 1967 when new staff members arrived. Ruth began to learn how to communicate with some of them. She formed close friendships with these new attendants. The school tried to start physical therapy and education programs for her. Through these efforts, a special tool called a word board was created. This was the first time Ruth had a reliable way to communicate her thoughts.
In 1973, the large building where Ruth lived was being fixed up. She moved to a smaller, temporary building with 19 other patients. The staff there were kind, and the atmosphere was much better. With the help of many friends, Ruth and some other patients left the State School in 1978. They moved into their own apartment. Ruth later married one of these former patients, Norman Mercer. The next year, her autobiography was published. It received a lot of attention and praise.
Ruth's Work for Disability Rights
After leaving Belchertown, Ruth became a dedicated disability rights activist. She gave "speeches" all over America. She used an assistant, and later a speech synthesizer, to share her words. Her hard work and advocacy helped lead to the closure of Belchertown State School in 1992.
Understanding Wordboards
Ruth Sienkiewicz-Mercer used four special wordboards to talk with people. These boards had words and letters on them. An assistant would hold the boards so Ruth could see them. Ruth would then use her eyes to point to the words she wanted to say. The assistant would speak the words aloud. This amazing method allowed Ruth to create sentences, paragraphs, and even her entire book!
Ruth Sienkiewicz-Mercer's Death
Ruth Sienkiewicz-Mercer passed away in Northampton, Massachusetts on August 8, 1998. She was 48 years old.
