I was pummeled by many Limbaugh fans as being insensitive, unfair, “intellectually incestuous,” and even bigoted. Such readers felt that I was being unkind to Mr. Limbaugh in writing about his deafness.

        “All you've shown the world by your column is that leftists are consistently mean-spirited in their treatment of people they disagree with,” wrote Loren Pankratz of Colorado Springs.

        While Mr. Limbaugh's supporters bristled at my reference to the talk show host's having made disparaging remarks about people with disabilities what riled them more than anything was the suggestion that he has joined the ranks of Americans with disabilities.

        “I'll bet you dollars to donuts,” wrote Larry Schweikart, of Springboro,“that Rush does NOT learn sign language, that he is anything but a standard bearer for the deaf.”

        The common thread, in other words, from supporters of the icon seemed to be saying “He will never become one of you” (that is, a person with a disability) and that I was being cruel to offer such a suggestion.

        Other readers, however, saw something positive in my message. “It showed your continual compassion, even toward a dolt like Limbaugh,” wrote Dr. Steve Sunderland, University of Cincinnati professor of social Work.

        Disability rights advocates responded from yet another direction. John Kraimer, director of disability services for Raymond Walters, and himself a wheelchair user, wrote: “I always cringe when someone rich and famous joins the ranks (of people with disabilities).”

        Let's face it, multimillionaires with disabilities tend to be shielded from the daily realities that most Americans with disabilities face.Rush Limbaugh's employers are going to make sure their cash cow has everything he needs to get the job done.

        Unfortunately, being born into the disability experience with a proverbial silver spoon, Mr. Limbaugh will fail to realize the importance of all the disability rights laws he has lambasted through the years. I could be wrong — there may be some fundamental change in him.

        But I suspect not, and as a result, he will never be a role model for me.

        I am saddened by Rush Limbaugh's loss. Sound, particularly the sound of human speech, is a beautiful thing, and it is painful to think of anyone missing out on it. I am thankful for every decibel of my own hearing, and thankful for those who listen to what I say, whether they agree with it or not.
        Contact Deborah Kendrick by phone: 673-4474; fax: 321-6430; e-mail: dkkendrick@earthlink.net.

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