About Jerry
Jerry Presley was a firefighter for many years before becoming paralyzed after falling from a building. He and his wife, high school sweethearts who have been married over thirty years, have three children who they are very proud of.
He confident that he will regain his strength and be able to walk again one day. Until then, he stays positive, reminding himself that he is strong, he has his mind, and he is focused.
Jerry Presley on Ableism
[00:00] My name is Jerry Presley. I was an inner-city fire fighter. I got hurt fighting in a house fire. Fell 10 to 12 feet and had two strokes.
[00:18] (Offscreen, Harper Nichols) “What was your favorite part about being a fire fighter?”
[00:21] (Jerry) Helping people.
[00:23] (Offscreen, Harper Nichols) “Internalized ableism: How you feel about your own self and not maybe being able to do things. Do you sometimes feel like that?”
[00:30] (Jerry) I feel like that all the time. I see things differently. I see myself differently. I am strong. I have my mind and I’m focused. I have to get my voice back. I’m going to get up again.