REDEFINING DISABILITY: BEYOND WHAT MEETS THE EYE
In a recent conversation, Barish offered powerful insights into
the realities faced by disabled individuals and the broad, often invisible,
definition of disability itself. “You don’t have to be in a wheelchair to be
disabled,” she explained. “There are mental, emotional, and chronic illness
disabilities—things like cancer, lung disease, or diabetes—that can limit a
person’s ability to live a so-called normal life, and you don’t see them on the
outside.”
For Barish, personal experience
informs advocacy. A lung cancer survivor, she describes how even simple tasks,
like climbing a flight of stairs, can become a struggle. Yet, the public
remains largely unaware of these unseen battles. “It’s about having a little
more patience and being conscious of certain issues,” she urged. “We’d get
along much better and help one another more.”
Barish believes society’s
understanding of disability remains far too narrow. The assumption that
disabilities are always visible undermines the daily realities of countless
individuals. “Unless you know what that disability is, you don’t know,” she
said. And this limited awareness leads to policies, services, and attitudes
that fail to meet the needs of those they intend to support.
Job‐related injuries and environmental exposure: an overlooked
crisis
Turning her
attention to occupational hazards, Barish voiced particular concern for
frontline workers exposed to environmental toxins. The long-term effects of
9/11 remain a haunting example. “Most people don’t realize the issues our
firefighters face,” she explained. “What are they breathing in? Who’s there to
wash them down, to get rid of those toxins? It’s a major problem and it’s not
being addressed.”
Barish’s concern extends beyond
high-profile disasters to everyday job-related injuries and environmental
exposures that disable workers. She argues that insufficient protections and
outdated workplace standards continue to put lives at risk.
The State of
When discussing
disability care in
“The government doesn’t look at
the little people,” Barish added. “And unfortunately, a lot of our service
people do the job of the major people, and then get left behind.”
Learning from 9/11: A Case Study in Unmet Needs
Recalling the chaos of 9/11, Barish described watching the tragedy
unfold while stranded on a bridge, helplessly witnessing lives being lost. The
event, she explained, was not only a disaster in the moment but continues to be
one in its aftermath. “We didn’t have to be geniuses to know the toxins were
dangerous,” she reflected. Yet, government assurances downplayed the risks.
“The devastation was there. You saw the people coming out covered in dust and
toxins, and the government didn’t do its job then—and they’re not doing it
now.” For Barish, the lesson is clear: disasters demand long-term planning and
care for survivors, not just immediate response.
The Case for National Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
One of Barish’s
most urgent calls to action is for a national disabilities collaboration — a
network where advocates, survivors, professionals, and policymakers can share
ideas and resources. “We need to be open and above board in these kinds of
things,” she insisted. “When I go to conferences and hear what other states are
doing, I ask, ‘Why don’t we have that here?’ I thought we were ahead of the
game. We’re not.”
The Local Fight:
On a local level,
Barish channels her advocacy through the Nassau County Disabilities Advisory
Council, a group tasked with advising county leadership on accessibility,
public safety, and disability services. “Our job is to let the county executive
know what’s needed,” she explained. “Whether it’s accessible buildings,
emergency services, or public transportation, we advocate for the community.”
Each council member, appointed
by a legislator or the county executive, helps identify areas for improvement,
collaborates with local services, and works to ensure the disabled community’s
needs remain visible and addressed.
CONCLUSION
Geri Barish’s
advocacy is rooted in lived experience and a fierce commitment to justice. Her
candid reflections expose the everyday challenges faced by those living with
disabilities — challenges often invisible to others and underserved by existing
systems. From the lingering health effects of 9/11 to the insufficient care
provided to disabled workers and cancer survivors, Barish’s voice calls for a
national reckoning. Her vision for a national disabilities council and
continued community advocacy is a roadmap for change. It is a reminder that
true advocacy means listening, acting, and standing alongside those whose
struggles too often go unheard. As Barish poignantly concluded, “Knowledge is
power. We gotta start using it.”
Foreword
It is my distinct
honor to write this foreword in recognition of my dear colleague and remarkable
advocate, Geri Barish. Over the years, I have witnessed countless individuals
rise to face personal adversity, but few have transformed their private battles
into a lifelong crusade for the wellbeing of others quite like Geri. Her
tenacity, wisdom, and compassion have left an indelible mark on both the cancer
community and the wider disability advocacy movement.
What began as a fight for
cancer awareness evolved into a far-reaching mission to elevate the voices of
those marginalized by illness, injury, and circumstance. Geri has long
understood that disabilities come in many forms — often invisible and
misunderstood — and she has fought relentlessly to shift public perceptions and
push for systemic change. This article captures the essence of her advocacy:
the insistence that no one should be left behind. From protecting our frontline
service members to addressing the long-term health crises spawned by 9/11, Geri’s
vision extends beyond individual cases to the greater need for national
collaboration, public accountability, and human dignity.
It is through voices like Geri
Barish’s that we are reminded of the human stories behind every policy, the
lasting consequences behind every crisis, and the undeniable truth that
advocacy is both a duty and a privilege. May her words in this piece inspire
others to listen, to learn, and to lead.
- Dr. Robert L.
Bard, MD, DABR, FASLMS
Cancer Imaging
Specialist, Medical Advocate, and National Health Policy Contributor
