Duane Cohen is a native Westporter. He still lives here. He writes:
With the recent dismantling of government agencies by the Trump administration, I felt compelled to dig up a memory I would rather keep buried.
However, my story is important to recognize the progress we have made, understand how far we have come, and realize how scary it is to have Trump dismantling our protections.
In December 1970, at age 17, I enlisted in the US Navy. At age 18 while on active duty, I was injured when I fell 10 feet on my back during a storm that also caused our ammunition ship to lose its radar antenna, and crack the hull.
Duane Cohen, in the Navy.
When we returned to the States, I sought medical treatment. It was determined I had hearniated a disc in my lower back. I still have it, 50 years later.
The disability was determined to be 10% disabling. With therapy and exercises I gained and maintained work to support myself and my family.
In the early ’70s, returning veterans were able to take a Post Office entrance exam at any time, and were given a preference for hiring.
I took the entrance exam. I was hired in a probationary job, loading and unloading trucks at the Danbury Post office for 90 days.
At the end of the probationary period, I was offered a position as a mail carrier in Norwalk.
I accepted the position, and was hired by the Norwalk postmaster on a Friday afternoon. I was told begin work on Monday morning.
When I reported for work on Monday, I was told to leave. I did not have a job. The medical examiner (who never examined me) said I was “not a candidate” because of my disability.
I was told I had no recourse, because there were no laws against discriminating against a disabled person
Duane Cohen, then …
I had nowhere to go, no one to help. I wrote letters. I went to the VA, Disabled American Veterans, and many military and legal organizations. I was told every time, “If the PO won’t hire you, it’s for your own good. You can’t do the job. Find something else.”
But I knew they were wrong. That is when I found someone at legal services in Norwalk who took my case for free.
My doctor and I certified that I could do what was required, carrying up to 35 pounds of mail.
Somehow, the story was picked up by the New Canaan newspaper. After the article came out, people started helping.
Letters were sent to Rosalynn Carter, the president’s wife, who was advocating for disabled veterans.
I received a letter from Senator Ribicoff, who asked to meet with me in his office. He arranged for me to be examined by the Post Office medical dxaminer, for the first time. I passed the exam.
My case went before a judge. It was determined that the Norwalk Post Office had hired me, and was now discriminating against a disabled employee by not allowing me to do my job. It was determined the postmaster had hired me before the chief medical officer was able to determine his discrimination, which he would have gotten away with. If the postmaster had not hired me, in those days they could have discriminated against me for being a disabled person, let alone a Vietnam veteran.
I won the case with all my back pay, night differential, and all benefits from the day I was hired, including seniority.
… and now.
When I was asked where I would like to work, I wanted to be as far away from the Norwalk postmaster as I could be. I elected to work in Stamford.
Within a few months, the Norwalk postmaster was promoted. He became the Stamford postmaster, in charge of Darien, Westport and Greenwich.
He then unjustly fired me twice. He had to rehire me both times, with back pay. Fortunately, as a civil servant I was protected by the Equal Opportunity Commission and the Merit Systems Protection Board.
The EEOC and many other agencies in place to protect us from bullies like the postmaster are being eliminated by Trump.
That is why I dusted off this memory. We cannot go back!
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