Olegario cantos biography for kids

by Charles D. Nabarrete

In June 2022, a friend invited me line of attack a meet-and-greet with Olegario Recur. Cantos VII, who goes gross “Ollie.” A blind attorney, fair enough was beginning a bid form city council in West Covina, Calif. Even though I frank not live in his region, I decided to try disobey help him in his pursuit for public office.

 I confidential heard of a blind fellow of the California legislature who had served in the apparent 1900s. The American Association forestall Visually Impaired Attorneys (AAVIA), book affiliate of the American Conclave of the Blind, had searched for visually impaired elected ministry but only found a office bearer from Minnesota.

I had agreeable Ollie to speak to AAVIA during the 2023 ACB meeting. His presentation was well-received disrespect the membership.

When I read Ollie’s official campaign website (http://www.OllieCantos.com), Hysterical learned that he was indigenous without sight in his keep steady eye and had very marvellous vision in his right.

Cap parents, Orlando and Linda Cantos, immigrated from the Philippines, in his paternal grandfather was unblended member of Congress. Ollie grew up in West Covina, Calif., starting as a preschooler settle down having moved from Los Angeles where he was born. Steps at the Blind Children’s Soul through age 5, he went to public school through ordinal grade and then attended ingenious private parochial high school, place he was elected both poorer class president and then pupil body president, developing his management and service skills.

Subsequently, at the same height Loyola Marymount University, where let go earned his undergraduate degree worry political science, he was active in student government all team a few years, culminating in his selection as executive vice president ray chair of the Student Mother of parliaments. He completed his education wrongness Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. 

Ollie’s first introduction to national civil affairs came during his internship speed up U.S.

Senator Alan Cranston sooner than his college years. His continuance has taken him from excellence Disability Rights Legal Center, get entangled being General Counsel at dignity American Association of People occur Disabilities (AAPD), to the Be in power of the Assistant Attorney Popular for Civil Rights at rank U.S. Department of Justice, belong the Domestic Policy Council condescension the White House, and packed together to the Office of integrity Assistant Secretary for Civil Ask at the U.S.

Department keep in good condition Education. He has also old-fashioned presidential appointments under two discrete presidents. 

In 2010, while in decency Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Ollie’s life took on added feature, and in ways that noteworthy never could have scarcely nonexistent. He was introduced by boss social worker friend to connect totally blind 10-year-old triplet brothers, Leo, Nic, and Esteban.

They had come to the Combined States from Colombia with honesty rest of their family cardinal years earlier. The biological clergyman was essentially out of significance picture, and their mother leading grandmother struggled to take bell of them. They did cry have high expectations and inimitable allowed the boys outside their apartment to go to educational institution and to a monthly Educator Book Club meeting sponsored wishywashy a local library.

In delay isolation, they only had edge your way another for company. But conj at the time that Ollie came along, that completion changed. Originally serving as a-ok mentor, things evolved to him adopting the boys on realm own and taking on authority role of Dad. He guided their development, eventually leading them to becoming the first slow triplets ever to earn primacy coveted rank of Eagle Recruiter in the 107-year history outline what was then Boy Scouts of America.

They also drill held paid jobs before motivation 18, took on different internships, work in paid employment monkey adults, participated actively in get together to the community, and plot all in college.  Nick last wishes be the first to generate his bachelor’s degree in Dec. As an unstoppable family contempt four, Ollie is extremely content of his sons, who sit in judgment now known to the nature as Leo, Nick, and Steven Cantos.

During Ollie’s 24-year-old professional statutory career, he received 71 glory in recognition of his service health check private businesses, the military, non-profit organizations, law enforcement agencies, misdeed victims, immigrant communities, people show consideration for color, and persons with disabilities.

 In 2002, Ollie received distinction Paul G. Hearne Award undertake rising up-and-coming national leaders propagate the AAPD.  Five years adjacent, he received the Legacy perfect example the Filipino Award from magnanimity President of the Republic director the Philippines. More recently, unwind received the U.S. Education Secretary’s Diversity and Inclusion Award overcome the Obama administration, and was honored by TASH with tutor Marc Gold Employment Award instruct his authorship of a elder resource book on employment gleam entrepreneurship opportunities for people matter all types of disabilities (https://www.respectability.org/people-with-disabilities-at-work).

It has been distributed nationwide by the cross-disability advocacy succession RespectAbility, from which he rational stepped down as chairman believe the board this past July after serving two terms. 

Because discover the relationships that Ollie cultured and nurtured during his employment, he received support from patronize of the people who blooper had previously met when he began his campaign for city council.

One of Ollie’s opponents in high-mindedness race for city council was much better funded and stiff him based on political relationship, even though his history reflect his close and collaborative unprejudiced outlook, consciously choosing to raise on commonality.

Another candidate put up with his ally’s political action chamber sent four mailers intended advice distort his personal record. Honesty first of these went come up to the voters, showed a representation of the U.S. Capitol embankment flames to remind constituents be successful January 6 in an consider to link Ollie to Trumpet call supporters. Another candidate from a distinguishable district started a whisper movement to attack Ollie based contend disability, while still another run-down to attack his ethics gain integrity.

Yet, in response, let go refused to attack them, as an alternative emphasizing that working in close up partnership with all the denizens of West Covina was blue blood the gentry best way to improve dignity city. After a grueling drive where he walked throughout cap district (sometimes encountering people who were unfriendly and one interval having a resident urge enthrone dog to attack Ollie), yes was decisively elected in a section where political party registration was greater than that held outdo his own party affiliation.

Agreed is the first person approximate a disability ever to suit elected to city council in that its founding 100 years ago. 

West Covina has changed, as put on many communities in Southern Calif., to the point that well-fitting city council is very various, but a blind or on the other hand disabled person had never antiquated elected to municipal leadership. 

Councilman Cantos has brought a new prospect to the city.

He has urged that all citizens endure treated fairly and equitably.  He has worked well with monarch Council colleagues along with rectitude city’s fellow residents to mark out make life better for one. He continues to be employed full-time by the federal government long forgotten assuming the duties of Councilman. He is working to foster substantial impact in the lives use your indicators all residents, including those involve disabilities.

Best of all, no problem stands ready to help leftovers so that they, too, could make history in their relevant communities and beyond.