Djuna Mitchell stops at a local Starbucks to get a cup of coffee after a rough day. (Photo by: Stephanie Gutierrez-Munguia/TU student)
In a small apartment in Hyattsville, Md., an alarm clock goes off at 2:30 a.m. A hand shoots out and hits the snooze button. Ten minutes later, the alarm goes off again and the same hand shoots out and hits the snooze button again, but this time, turns off the alarm. This hand belongs to Djuna Mitchell. Mitchell then proceeds to get out of the bed and onto her wheel chair. She wheels herself to the bathroom to get dressed, which takes up to two hours.
“It takes a long time for me to get dressed because of my body. The muscles of my body move spastically all the time to some extent,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell, 38, was born with cerebral palsy (CP), a number of brain disorders that affects body movement, posture, and muscle coordination. According to a study conducted by the United Cerebral Palsy, an estimation of 764,000 children and adults in the U.S. manifest one or more of the symptoms of cerebral palsy.
“I was born four months premature. I only weighed 2 pounds, 4 ounces. My mom called me a ‘pocket baby,'” Mitchell chuckled. “At nine months, my mother noticed that I could not move my legs. Usually, the doctors do not know if you have CP until you are 3 years old.”
Due to CP, Mitchell has a learning disability in regards to math and spatial organization, depression, arthritis, and other health conditions. In addition, she uses a wheelchair by choice.
“I could walk using a walker, but I’d rather take the energy from walking and use it from other things, such as education. You’ll be surprised by how many people think that just because you are in a wheelchair means that you have a cognitive imperative. But, I have a law degree and my IQ is above average. They talk to me like I’m 5 years old and I find that amusing,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. with a mother who loved her and a father who had conflicting feelings about her. Growing up, Mitchell mostly stayed in her family’s apartment. She only associated with the children in her neighborhood. In school, Mitchell was in Special Education classes up until fourth-grade.
“When we were young, Djuna (Mitchell) was placed in Special Education classes and considered an underdog, but she was the underdog that always came out on top. Djuna went from Special Education classes to mainstream classes, which are regular classes combined with special education classes,” Rodney Parmley, younger brother of Mitchell, said.
With her good grades, Mitchell was able to skip eighth-grade and graduate high school at the age of 16. Two weeks before turning 17 years old, Mitchell started at George Washington University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She then went to George Mason University and received her Juris Doctor, which is a professional doctorate in law.
“Djuna went to what was once considered one of the best high schools in NYC, graduated from there and went on to one of the best universities in the country then on to one of the best universities in the country then on to law school. How could I not look up to her and maintain the attitude that I can do anything I put my mind to,” Parmley exclaimed.
Mitchell, shortly after passing her bar exam in 2004, became a member of the Virginia state bar, an administrative agency of the Supreme Court of Virginia that regulates legal profession. Around the same time, she married her first husband. Unfortunately, Mitchell’s husband passed away in 2007 due to case of Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare disease passed down through families that affects the muscles and heart.
“I am still dealing with some personal issues related to my first husband. He pulled me out of a really dark place in my life and without him, I wouldn’t really be here,” Mitchell softly said. “It hurts, but my fiancé is helping me move on.”
Her fiancé, Jeff Wilson, 43, has CP as well. Wilson met Mitchell while riding in the Metro Access van to the train station. The difference between Wilson and Mitchell is that Mitchell is in a wheelchair.
“Djuna (Mitchell) is one of a kind. Even with everything that she has been through, she is living each day to the fullest,” Wilson said. “She has really changed me for the better. I cannot wait to get married to her and spend the rest of my life with her,” Wilson excitedly said.
Today, Mitchell works for Social Security Administration (SSA). She practiced law for a while, but due to her disability, she had to stop. At SSA, Mitchell works as a social insurance specialist. She reviews proposals, plans, and assists franchise.
“The only difference between me and the average person is that they have the luxury to hide their challenges. I can’t hide my challenges. I would like to have the luxury, but I can’t,” Mitchell said.
Around 4:45 p.m., Mitchell leaves work and waits for the Metro Access van to pick her up. Some people stare at her and others just quickly glance at her. Metro Access finally arrives and Mitchell gets on relieved.
“It is what it is,” Mitchell sighed before looking out the window, seeing the scenery change as the van heads towards the train station.
Media Raid 