My Chronic Life

I posted a video but little else this morning about Brian Sterner, the man who is a quadripalegic and was abused in a Tampa Prison. Now that I’m feeling a little better I wanted to take the time to write about this utterly disgusting act committed by a Sheriff’s Deputy.

Just to review, Brian Sterner was arrested on January 29th for a traffic violation. He is paralyzed from the waist down and has limited mobility of his arms and hands also. He is able to drive. After being brought into the Orient Jail in Tampa, Florida he was asked to stand up while being booked. When he said that he couldn’t he was dumped out of his wheelchair onto the floor. This was caught on surveillence video and has been seen around the world on TV and on the internet.

Just today Hillsborough County deputy Charlette Marshall-Jones, 44 was charged with abusing a disabled person. Sheriff David Gee apologized to Mr. Sterner personally and has placed Sgt. Gary Hinson, 51, Cpl. Steven Dickey, 45 and Cpl. Decondra Williams, 36 on administrative leave pending an investigation.

I hope that any of the deputies involved will be charged and/or terminated from their positions. I did see a video on one of the local news stations that showed a deputy who saw the incident walk away with a smile on his face. He was not seen in the beginning of the video where this tragedy takes place. He walks very close to the camera and his face is visible.

I’ve read that all bookings of persons with disabilities are going to be viewed to determine if other acts of abuse or neglect have taken place. I’m grateful for Hillsborough Sherrif Gee has acted swiftly in this case. His apology to Mr. Sterner and his speaking out to the media has made somewhat of a dent in the public disgrace that now hangs over the department.

Please let’s make some headway for Mr. Sterner who has suffered from this incident. Post about this on your blog. Share the video. We can make a difference by stating that we will not allow people with disabilities to be treated with such cruelty.