Life has a way of teaching lessons that no classroom ever can. Having lived without sight, I have learned to notice the small yet powerful ways that challenges shape empathy, insight, and determination. Those lessons have guided my work in law, public service, and disability advocacy. While much of my work on the Michigan Supreme Court focuses on justice and accessibility here at home, I have come to understand that the principles I fight for are universal.
Over the past decade, I have been fortunate to travel to countries including Israel, Ecuador, Australia, and the United Kingdom. I met people who are dedicated to advancing the rights of individuals with disabilities. Each journey reminded me that advocacy is both local and global, and that the lessons we learn from one community can inspire change in another.
Learning From Israel
In 2010, I traveled to Israel through the OneFamily Fund, which supports survivors of terrorism. Many of the people I met had suffered life-changing injuries and were living with permanent disabilities. In Jerusalem, I shared my own experiences and the strategies I had used to advocate for equal rights in Michigan.
What struck me most was the resilience I saw. Families and individuals were determined to thrive despite enormous challenges. We spoke about policy, infrastructure, and the role of community in supporting inclusion. I came away convinced that disability advocacy requires both legal knowledge and human compassion. I also realized that these lessons are not limited by geography.
Ecuador: Education and Inspiration
Later that year, I was invited to Ecuador to speak at universities, government forums, and public events. My goal was to highlight the abilities of individuals with disabilities and show how inclusive policies and thoughtful design can unlock potential.
Meeting students and educators at institutions like the Colegio Americano de Quito reminded me that meaningful change starts with understanding and dialogue. It takes courage to challenge existing norms, but that courage can inspire progress. Ecuador showed me that advocacy is never static. It grows and adapts with each culture, each context, and each conversation.
Lessons Across the Globe
Traveling internationally reinforced some important truths. True equality requires change not only in law or infrastructure but also in society’s mindset. Accessible design and inclusive policies are critical, but so are the stories of ordinary people creating extraordinary impact.
Whether it is a student advocating for an accessible classroom, a civic leader redesigning public spaces, or a parent insisting on opportunities for their child, progress happens when people act with purpose and vision. Visits to Australia, the United Kingdom, and Brazil showed me new ways communities approach inclusion. I returned to Michigan with fresh ideas and the understanding that learning and sharing are ongoing processes. Advocacy is a cycle, and we all benefit when knowledge crosses borders.
The Power of Example
One of the most important lessons from my travels is the impact of visibility. Showing what people with disabilities can accomplish, whether running marathons, completing Ironman competitions, or leading legal initiatives, challenges assumptions and inspires action. Visibility is more than representation. It shows communities and policymakers alike what is possible when barriers are removed.
Continuing the Mission
As a justice, I try to ensure that every decision I make recognizes the dignity and potential of those affected. My global experiences remind me that justice is neither abstract nor confined by borders. Advocacy takes persistence, empathy, and imagination. It is a lifelong effort, one that requires both humility and courage.
An Invitation to Engage
Disability rights are human rights. They transcend geography, culture, and language. I hope that students, lawyers, educators, and community members will see opportunities in their own lives to advocate, innovate, and inspire. Every conversation, policy, and action has the potential to open doors, shift perceptions, and advance justice.
Meaningful change often begins with listening and understanding. Every step toward inclusion is a step toward a more just and equitable world. If sharing my experiences encourages even one person to speak up, challenge a barrier, or imagine what is possible, then the effort has been worth it. Justice may be blind, but fairness, dignity, and opportunity are things we can all see, feel, and create together.