Against All Odds - Athletes with Disabilities Train for Marathon

Marathon Runner Richard Bernstein Helps Kids Succeed Against All Odds

WDIV Detroit News - May 4, 2007

News Anchor Carmen Harlan:

"Against all odds. Local 4 introduces you tonight to a man with a career in law and education, and dedication to the disabled. Richard Bernstein does all this despite being blind. Our Roger Weber found that for Richard Bernstein, disability is only a word and certainly not a hindrance."

News Reporter Roger Weber:

"Blind justice is only a figure of speech, but for Richard Bernstein, blind lawyering is a fact of life. If you were to look at Bernstein’s resume before you looked at him, you’d never guess that he’s blind. Member - Wayne State Board of Governors. Professor - University of Michigan. Runner in three marathons."

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"The biggest curse that disabled people sometimes have is the curse of lowered expectations."

News Reporter Roger Weber:

"He’s the son of lawyer Sam Bernstein and his wife Susan."

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"I was brought up in a household that said you can be able to do whatever you want and that there is nothing that you’re not going to be able to do."

News Reporter Roger Weber:

"That’s the impression I got as I tagged along for a day."

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"In my world, you never know if you’re going to get hit by a truck or a bus, so when you get through the day and you’re still standing, that’s a really great day! "

News Reporter Roger Weber:

"But actually, Richard Bernstein achieves great days by helping the disabled. This meeting involves a TV ad campaign to help safeguard pedestrians."

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"We will be able to really make a difference for pedestrians."

News Reporter Roger Weber:

"Next stop, Saint Hugo Elementary. He tells the kids, without a hint of complaint, what it’s like to be blind."

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"So what I’ll do with money is that I will basically keep the money organized in a certain way, so I know what bills are what."

News Reporter Roger Weber:

"Meanwhile, lawyer David Cohen is working only a few feet away. He’s assigned full time to Bernstein, who doesn’t read braille."

Attorney David Cohen:

"I will prepare him for the case by reading to him basically everything in the file, every line of every dep transcript, which could be hundreds of pages."

News Reporter Roger Weber:

"One of their biggest victories came against the City of Detroit. Transportation officials were forced to improve accommodations for the disabled."

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"Most disabled people do not get to enjoy the kind of life that I get to enjoy and that’s solely not because they don’t have the talent, not because they don’t have the ability. They don’t have the resources."

News Reporter Roger Weber:

"Bernstein was born with congenital cataracts. He can see shapes - but no detail."

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"If I didn’t have a disability, I might not spend the kind of money, resources or time on disability issues."

News Reporter Roger Weber:

"This man, who lives in darkness, knows how to light up a room, often by poking fun at himself."

News Reporter Roger Weber:

"Your dad has a fascinating picture in his office of you two skiing together. How did that go? "

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"It was one of those things where, let me put it this way, I don’t do it any more."

News Reporter Roger Weber:

"There’s something else he’s not able to do, but he’s itching to try."

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"All blind people, we all want to drive cars. That’s like our thing. In "Scent of a Woman", Al Pacino went and drove a Ferrari. That would just be a really cool, kind of an exciting thing."

News Reporter Roger Weber:

"Could doctors find a way to give Richard Bernstein sight? "

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"I think that there will definitely be something one day. But here’s the deal. I’ve kind of become so adapted to my situation that I kind of like things the way they are."

News Reporter Roger Weber:

"Meanwhile, between the courtroom and the classroom, marathons and motivational speeches, he’s too busy to worry about a cure."

News Reporter Roger Weber:

"Where do you get this energy? You’re wearing me out just talking to you."

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"I think it just comes from the idea that you really have to use each day to the absolute fullest potential."

News Reporter Roger Weber:

"And this Sunday, Bernstein will be on a tandem bicycle pedaling 42 miles through New York City. There’s just no stopping this guy."

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"Even though your body might be challenged, your spirit will always find a way to soar."

News Reporter Roger Weber:

"I’m Roger Weber, Local 4."