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Vote Neva For Eat Right President

in The Too Busy to Diet Blog on February 15, 2017

Neva Cochran is running for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics President this year. I heard about her mentoring a fellow North Suburban Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics member, Tracy Williams. I have also read her many posts on Facebook, and  we have emailed back and forth so I feel like she is a friend. Neva has taken Tracy under her wing even though she is extremely busy not only with her job, but with her volunteer work with the profession. But this has not stopped her from reaching out to help another Academy member who needs guidance and support

I am hoping that Neva becomes the next Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics President. I have seen her compassion and her desire to be more inclusive with the Academy’s goal to be more diverse. This is an important mission for any professional organization.

I feel that the Academy has worked hard to expand diversity within our ranks. This would include increasing males, religions, ethnic backgrounds, and sexual orientations. However; I feel that the one area we are not expanding to are those with disabilities.

Since I have had diabetes for over 50 years, I do know how difficult it has been to meet the demands of a chronic disease along with my career pursuits. But my disability is hidden and therefore easily disguised when making applications to college, graduate school, going for interviews for internships, and applying for jobs. But there are many among us who have a real passion for nutrition and dietetics who are passed over because they have visible disabilities that cannot be hidden. This may be using a wheelchair, a walker, or having speech, hearing, or visual issues. Tracy Williams is one of those disabled members who has cerebral palsy. She has difficulty with mobility and also with speech. But her passion for nutrition and also for embracing life to its fullest is amazing.

Those with disabilities may not receive  a dietetics internship because their disabilities have placed them at a distinct disadvantage at the start. It is important to remember that those with disabilities can take longer to study or complete projects due to varying degrees of stamina. But they are able to do well with their course work even though they may require more time and effort to complete their assignments. They may not be at the top of their class, but their efforts place them at another level of success and could easily be considered the top of the class if viewed in a different manner.

I feel strongly that the Academy must begin to look at the issue of disability as the next area to expand our diversity efforts. I feel that as Academy members we need to become more compassionate, more understanding, and more tolerant of those whose shoes we have not walked in. And we need to remember that those shoes could easily become the ones any of us might wind up wearing.

I support Neva Cochran for Eat Right President and I ask that you consider her as well. She will be the one to make the difference! Her dedication to our profession and her compassion and understanding for all members will serve our profession well. And the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics will become the standard for all professions when dealing with those with disabilities!

Jacqueline King, MS,RDN, CDE, FADA, FAND