# William Louis Rush

William Louis Rush (1955–2004), commonly known as Bill Rush, was an American author, journalist, and disability rights advocate. In addition to his autobiographical book, Journey Out of Silence, also posthumously co-wrote Our Life Our Way, A Memoir of Active Faith, Profound Love, and Courageous Disability Rights with his wife, Christine F. Robinson. Rush's work mainly focused on promoting the rights and representation of individuals with disabilities. Rush was unable to walk, talk, or sit in his wheelchair without supportive braces and restraining straps.

## Early life and education

Rush was born in 1955 in Omaha, Nebraska, to Lois and James Rush. Complications during his birth, including a displaced umbilical cord that restricted oxygen flow to his brain for nearly an hour, resulted in cerebral palsy. The condition, caused by damage to the cerebral cortex that controls voluntary movements, affected his speech and mobility but was neither fatal nor progressive. He attended J.P. Lord School, excelling academically despite significant physical challenges.
In the late 1970s, Rush became the first quadriplegic student to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). While on campus, he partnered with Mark Dahmke, a software developer who helped develop a voice synthesizer. The device allowed Rush to communicate by typing words phonetically, which were then vocalized, providing him with a functional "voice". In addition to the synthesizer, Rush used a headstick—a long stick attached to a headband—and a language board to communicate. He also utilized a Selectric typewriter for completing homework and writing articles. His room was equipped with environmental controls, enabling him to operate various electrical devices remotely.
Rush graduated with honors in 1983 from UNL's journalism program, becoming a symbol of resilience and advocacy for accessibility in higher education.

## Career

Rush began his career as a journalist and advocate, working for the League of Human Dignity as a staff writer for its newsletter, On the Level. He contributed articles, op-eds, and letters to publications such as the Omaha World-Herald, the Lincoln Journal, and the Lincoln Star. In these writings, he highlighted barriers faced by people with disabilities, advocating for accessible schools, public transportation, and public spaces in Nebraska.
In 1986, Rush published Journey Out of Silence, a memoir chronicling his life, education, and advocacy efforts. Written painstakingly using a stick attached to his forehead, the book resonated widely, gaining attention for its candid portrayal of living with a disability in the pre-Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) era.
Rush served on the Nebraska Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities and the board of Nebraska Advocacy Services. He also contributed to public information campaigns, including the creation of brochures aimed at promoting dignity and understanding in media representation of individuals with disabilities. Rush testified before Congress in support of the ADA and lobbied for legislation allowing people with disabilities to marry without losing Medicaid benefits. He also authored a manual for newsrooms, encouraging respectful and accurate reporting on disability issues. Through his writings, activism, and public speaking, he helped shape policies, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). His writings include Journey Out of Silence and articles like "Bus Not Meeting Everyone's Needs" and "Failure to Pass Americans with Disabilities Act Too Costly".

## Personal life

In 1988, Rush met Christine Robinson, a Canadian occupational therapist, at a conference on alternative communication methods. Their relationship grew into a partnership that culminated in their marriage in 1999. Rush campaigned successfully for policy changes allowing him to marry without losing critical Medicaid benefits, setting a precedent for others in similar situations.
Despite his physical limitations, Rush embraced activities that challenged societal expectations. In a 1984 article, he described his experience dancing, an activity he pursued despite the risk of alarming onlookers. His words captured his determination to live life on his terms:
"The band was playing rock 'n' roll, and I wanted to dance. Push me out on the dance floor".

## Death

Rush passed away at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska, on December 13, 2004, at the age of 49, from pneumonia and complications related to severe neck injuries originally sustained when he was struck by a car in 1998. He was remembered as a pioneering advocate and a champion for disability rights.

## Awards and recognition

In 1980, Bill Rush was prominently featured in Life magazine's January issue in an article titled "The Expanding World of Bill Rush," written by editor Anne Fadiman. The seven-page article detailed Rush's journey as a journalism student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and his collaboration with Mark Dahmke, who developed a voice synthesizer to aid Rush's communication. The article received the United Cerebral Palsy President's Award, which was presented to Fadiman in Kansas City for its insightful portrayal of disability and innovation.
In 1993, Rush was honored with the Nebraska State Victory Award, part of the nationwide awards program sponsored by the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C. The award recognized Rush for exemplifying strength, tenacity of purpose, integrity of effort, and courage in overcoming the challenges of cerebral palsy. As part of this honor, Rush represented Nebraska at the seventh annual Victory Awards gala on April 27, 1993, in Washington, D.C., and was subsequently nominated for a national Victory Award in 1994.

## Television adaptation

Following the publication of the Life article, Bill Rush and Mark Dahmke sold the movie rights to the Konigsberg Company, a California-based production house. In August 1980, CBS announced plans for a television movie inspired by Rush's life and his partnership with Dahmke, stating the film was expected to be ready for television by the next season. The movie, produced by Frank Konigsberg, was scripted by Nick Arnold, a writer with cerebral palsy, to ensure an authentic and sensitive depiction of the subject matter. The project was envisioned as a fictionalized portrayal of Rush's life, with events rearranged for dramatic effect. Both Rush and Dahmke retained creative input, with plans to contribute additional material during the summer of 1980. However, despite the initial announcements, the filming never commenced.