Leaders of strength and grace
by Miki SaxonI have a friend whose preferred reading involves “grace under pressure” and another who reads/watches anything spotlighting “strength of character.”
I think they go hand-in-hand—strength of character may be visible in many different acts, but without it, I doubt anybody would demonstrate much grace when adversity strikes.
Lee Thomas is such a person.
Thomas, who is an anchor and entertainment reporter for a Fox Broadcasting Company affiliate and is black, suffers from Vitiligo, a disorder in which pigment-making cells are destroyed and white patches appear on different parts of the body, tissues in the mouth and nose, and the retina—the same disease that Michael Jackson has.
“There is no cause. There is no cure, and it’s very random. I could turn all the way white or mostly white.”
He openly talks about vitiligo and how it has affected his life and career, and has written a book about his journey titled Turning White: A Memoir of Change
. Along the way, Thomas says he’s met others with the disorder and has become a celebrity spokesman for the Columbus, Ohio-based National Vitiligo Foundation.
It’s not fatal, but experts say vitiligo robs people of self-confidence, evokes ridicule and unpleasant stares, and pushes some into unforced seclusion…Vitiligo attacks the soul and psyche, foundation executive director Robert Haas says.
Thomas was diagnosed at age 25, but by using makeup he was able to keep the condition a secret.
He didn’t let it slow down his blossoming career. …Thomas found his way to WJBK in Detroit in 1997. He has carved a niche in the Motor City market with his quirky, upbeat and humorous reporting style; his confidence, constant smile and positive air on the set mirrors his demeanor off the set as well.
Even though Thomas uses makeup to conceal his skin discoloration, he realized the vitiligo was becoming more obvious when he couldn’t hide it from a preschooler during a story about a playground. His two-toned hands frightened the girl, who began to cry.
“I thought my career was over,” says the Emmy award winner who routinely travels to Hollywood for one-on-one interviews with celebrities including Will Smith, Tom Cruise and Halle Berry.
So he gathered himself one day and approached the station’s news director, prepared to walk away from television.
“She said, ‘Let’s just see what happens,”‘ Thomas recalls. “As it got worse, she kept encouraging me to tell my story.”
Thomas did tell it in 2005 and received overwhelming support from viewers.
“As all those things happened, the tone of the book changed. I was writing for all those people who were afraid to come outside… Having this disease forces me to focus on what I am: kind, caring, honest.”
Strength of character and grace under pressure—whether large or small—are uplifting to behold.
Who do you think exemplifies these traits? Tell me about your own experiences of “grace under pressure.”
Comments—priceless
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December 22nd, 2007 at 10:30 am
Miki- very, very nice post. It made me think of several radio announcers over the years that had lisps or other speech issues but obviously overcame them. I always thought “why would someone with a lisp want to be an announcer?” The answer must have been “because they wanted to!” How you respond to difficulties, whether you are a father confronting wayward kids, or someone dealing with perceived limitations or barriers to pursuing your goals, is everything. Our response to life challenges is not only important to us as individuals but to all who rely on us as examples- which could be anybody.
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Thanks, Bob. What you say is very true. However, I doubt that people going through tough times or overcoming challenges think of themselves as role models.
I think most of us “do what we have to do” and it isn’t until after that we sometimes realize that our action was extraordinary, let alone inspiring—most of the time we have to be told and even then we often can’t see it.
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Interesting comment on role models. I agree that most do not see themselves as role models in tough times. Obviously, I see it differently, looking for the learning that occurs through failure and realizing that others are paying attention to how I deal with the pressure. I want them to see someone who reacts well through the good and the bad, always looking for the inevitable victory.
December 22nd, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Bob, I think we may be talking about different types of events.
When Thomas finally went public he immediately took a weeks vacation and knew nothing of the outpouring of support until he returned; I don’t think (Dec 20 post) gave a damn about perceptions—he just wanted to walk again; my best friend who was just diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, has no insurance and can no longer work is focused on surviving, not being a role model. I think there are thousands of similar stories out there.
It seems to me that the kind you’re referring to are more on the business side and are less emotional and life-affecting. I could be wrong (I frequently am:)
December 22nd, 2007 at 2:41 pm
I love batting this around with you Miki. The direness of events in life relates to experience and maturity. Surviving is a reaction to dire events and an example to others of how to deal with the event. A person may not care that it is; I do because I know that many, that I will not hear about, are influenced by what I do. I think Thomas cared too- he may not have cared about receiving feedback- to me, that’s a different issue.
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Me too, Bob, Thomas hid for his condition for 13 years. I believe that it wasn’t until he went public and became a spokesman that he started seeing himself as a role model. I didn’t see myself as a five year old role model when my father was killed, but others did.
Objectivity and pain don’t mix well. Personally I think that during the process the focus is on getting through it. It may not apply to you, but many people care because they are sensitive to what’s being said about them in our overly judgmental world.