In November, voters in Michigan elected the state’s first blind Supreme Court Justice, Richard Bernstein.
In November, voters in Michigan elected the state’s first blind Supreme Court Justice, Richard Bernstein, who will be sworn into office on January 1st.
His preparations to take the seat began quickly after and included memorizing the key points of every single brief pertaining to 10 upcoming cases.
Said Berstein, "It would be much easier if I could read and write like everyone else, but that's not how I was created. No question, it requires a lot more work, but the flip side is it requires you to operate at the highest level of preparedness. ... This is what I've done my entire life.”
That level of commitment has resulted in a number of extraordinary accomplishments.
The Justice-elect was instrumental in bringing the Detroit Metropolitan Airport into compliance with the requirements outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
That there are wheelchair lifts on Detroit’s public busses is also largely his doing.
Michigan’s newest Supreme Court member has also participated in over 15 marathons and a triathlon.
Among Bernstein’s next goals is to do right by the citizens of Michigan.
He believes that a vote is a profession of trust, and he plans to live up to the faith the people have put in him.
