Senator Tammy Duckworth is the first United States senator to give birth while in office. She is also the first United States senator to cast a vote on the Senate floor with a newborn baby in her arms. But, with all of her accomplishments, one that has been less noticeable is their importance to prospective parents and parents with disabilities.
Senator Duckworth is a parent with a disability. She is a double amputee veteran who uses a wheelchair.
In fact, Senator Duckworth’s disability was a consideration that came up when determining if she would be allowed to bring her newborn daughter on the Senate floor. Some Senators were reluctant in allowing Senator Duckworth to carry her daughter on the Senate floor. They suggested she instead vote from the cloakroom, a lounge just outside the chamber. However, Senator Amy Klobuchar questions,“Yes, you can vote from the doorway of the cloakroom, but how is she going to get to the cloakroom when it’s not wheelchair accessible?”
The discrimination that Senator Duckworth faced is not uncommon for mothers with disabilities.
“Working mothers with disabilities face a number of challenges related to both their disability and role as mothers.”
The original article references a survey from Working Mother. The author states,“48 percent of mothers with disabilities encounter problems managing work and family demands, compared with 29 percent of mothers without disabilities.”
“Will working make it even more difficult for me to care for a newborn? Absolutely. Yet, with the right supports and policies, I strongly believe that parents with disabilities and their families can be successful.”
Senator Duckworth is paving the way for other parents with disabilities. “Working as a mother is difficult. Adding a disability into the mix can make it seem insurmountable. However, thanks to Senator Duckworth, and the countless disabled mothers who came before me, I know that it is possible,” says Robyn, author of the original post.