A mile in their shoes

In 1987, as he was being dragged from a burning wreck, Tony Fitzgerald made a conscious decision to maintain a positive attitude.

“I was crying to God to let me live and then I remembered the book I had read on positive thinking just the week before. I went from ‘please let me live’ to ‘thank you for letting me live,’” Fitzgerald said to a spellbound audience of Oceanside High School students on OHS’ Human Relations Day on March 14.

Fitzgerald is a member of the Nassau Kings Wheelchair Basketball team, ranked 10th in the nation. Several of his teammates whirled around the court in their chairs, dribbling and shooting as he talked.

“This is not about feeling sorry for us,” said Fitzgerald. “We are happy, productive people with fulfilling lives. My philosophy is if the sun comes up and you’re reasonably healthy, it’s a good day.”

Turning tragedy into triumph was the message of this year’s Human Relations Day, which featured more than 50 speakers on topics ranging from disabilities to surviving the Holocaust and living through war. Begun in the 1980s, Human Relations Day offers students perspectives on life that they might not otherwise get. This year’s theme was Empathy and Interconnectedness.

“The Nassau Kings were definitely my favorite. It was awesome seeing them play basketball in wheelchairs,” said Anthony Briguglio, a 9th grader. “It made me realize that people with disabilities really can do anything."

Students were also impressed with Albert Rizzi, who came along with his guide dog.

“He had us wear blindfolds so that we could see what it was like to be blind,” said Lisandra Degen. “I saw life in a whole new way.”

“They absolutely loved his presentation,” said OHS teacher Stephanie Bragman of Mr. Rizzi. Bragman, along with fellow teacher Cristina Savarese, recruited speakers and organized the day.

The day was inspirational for everyone who participated: speakers, staff and students alike. Stanley Ronell, a Holocaust survivor who was a child in Poland, told Bragman that OHS is one of his favorite schools to visit because the students are interested and the staff is wonderful.  

Joe Slaninka of the Henry Viscardi School, whose students have significant physical disabilities, said that coming to Human Relations Day at OHS is one of the highlights of their year.

For many years, Human Relations Day was an opportunity for students to hear from outside agencies, organizations and individuals, but beginning last year, students and staff began to take part, too. This year, students from ESL classes talked about what it’s like to be a newcomer, speaking a foreign language in America. There were also students from Best Buddies, the Gay Straight Alliance, the World Interest Club, Recycling Club and Habitat for Humanities, which builds new homes for people in need. Several alumni also spoke, including Victoria Ruvolo, a 1980s era graduate who became famous as the victim of a prank gone horribly wrong when a turkey tossed through her windshield nearly killed her. Ruvolo forgave the young man and asked the judge for leniency because she felt that he deserved a second chance.

Ellen Forsyth, a junior, said that she’s learned a lot about different people and ways of life from participating in Human Relations Day over the years. This year was her chance to give back, by making a presentation of her own.

"Giving a presentation was scary at first, but talking to kids our age about really important matters that affect all of our daily lives was effective and enlightening for them, I hope."