By
OCTOBER 19, 2007
(Special to the Asian Journal)
Blind FilAm in Key Gov’t Post
Ollie Cantos is highest-ranking person with a visual disability at the Justice Department
(First of Two Parts) recordings, receiving special education
TEN months ago, President Arroyo awarded itinerant instruction at school, and working
Atty. Olegario “Ollie” D. Cantos VII the Pamana with his parents who helped him read his
ng Pilipino Award for bringing honor to the material. He also learned how to type at the
Filipino people by distinguishing themselves age of 10, a skill that turned out to come
in their chosen professions. The recognition in quite handy with the dawn of the age of
for Cantos was given for serving in the White personal computers. He eventually became
House as Associate Director for Domestic student body president his senior year after
Policy in the Executive Office of the President. heavily participating in school politics.
Having been the highest-ranking Filipino After high school, he attended Loyola
American at the White House is impressive Marymount University in California where
enough. What makes it even more remarkable he majored in Political Science. It was during
is that Cantos cannot see. this time that he became involved in the
Born in Los Angeles to Batangueño National Federation of the Blind. He said this
immigrants, Cantos is sure to inspire anyone. empowered him to understand that being
He not only learned to overcome the hardships blind did not necessarily mean that even
of living without being able to see but Cantos higher success was out of reach. After college,
also chose to make a difference and help he learned Braille and then attended Loyola
people with disabilities thrive despite their around and would quietly whimper where Law School from 1993 through 1997.
handicaps. no one would see me. There were times Striking a Light in the Darkness of Negative
“A disability is not an offensive thing, and when I wondered if I would ever gain their Attitudes
it’s not a big deal to ask or talk about,” Cantos acceptance.” After passing the California Bar Exam,
asserted. “It doesn’t have to be a sentimental Cantos strongly credits his parents for Cantos worked as Staff Attorney and Director
thing about ‘beating the odds’ either. People helping him overcome the hurt and the of Outreach and Education at the Western Law
with disabilities are just as capable or struggles he suffered. “They taught me, from Center for Disability Rights in Los Angeles (now
incapable, mean or nice, as anyone else. We all a very early age that, though we are not able renamed the Disability Rights Legal Center).
need to be judged as individuals.” to control the totality of life’s circumstances, He worked there until May 2002.
Learning to Live Without Sight the most critical thing that we can control From June 2002 to August 2004, Cantos was
Ollie Cantos was born two months early. is our attitude about a particular set of the first person to serve as General Counsel
“As the result of accidental over-exposure circumstances.” and Director of Programs for the 120,000-
of oxygen in the incubator, I became blind His parents, Orlando and Linda Cantos, member American Association of People
in both my eyes, having been diagnosed never coddled or spoiled him. Instead, they with Disabilities (AAPD), the largest cross
with Retinopathy Of Prematurity (ROP),” he made him do regular chores in the house in the disability national membership organization
explained. same way that other kids were expected to do. in the United States. He promoted internship
Cantos grew up with very low beliefs about Early on, Cantos learned to do things quickly and employment opportunities for students
his own worth due to the cruel ridicule, taunts, and excellently, for his parents expected him and job-seekers, while expanding Disability
and sneers he received from the other kids in to complete tasks as well and as fast as any kid Mentoring Day - the third Wednesday in
school. without a disability. He also has great love for October - from just 32 states to all 50 states,
“I had little, if any, self-esteem during his younger sister, Jennifer Cantos Duag, who plus 3 U.S. territories and 19 foreign countries
this period of my life. When I thought of my was supportive of him every step of the way. on 5 continents.
own future, I had no real hope, and I never “I just love my family so much,” Cantos said In August 2004, then Attorney General John
envisioned anything ever getting better in endearingly. “With the backing of family and D. Ashcroft commissioned Cantos to the post
spite of my best efforts,” recalled Cantos. the strength of God, anything is possible.” of Special Assistant to the Assistant Attorney
“I never stood up for myself,” he recounted. Cantos excelled academically in school. General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department
“I’d find a place where no other kids were He got his work done by listening to tape of Justice (DOJ).
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