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Ruth Johnson shares noteworthy yet normal story at National Disability Awareness Month luncheon

Walla Walla District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Published Dec. 11, 2013
131024-A-QP520-016 - District Purchasing Agent Ruth Johnson explains people with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) or “brittle bone” disease like her are like everyone else – they experience childhood, have friends, travel, and do many things just like people that don’t have OI. They just do some things differently because of physical differences.
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131024-A-QP520-016 - District Purchasing Agent Ruth Johnson explains people with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) or “brittle bone” disease like her are like everyone else – they experience childhood, have friends, travel, and do many things just like people that don’t have OI. They just do some things differently because of physical differences.

Walla Walla District Commander Lt. Col. Drew Kelly thanks Purchasing Agent Ruth Johnson for her presentation during a National Disability Employment Awareness Month observance.
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Walla Walla District Commander Lt. Col. Drew Kelly thanks Purchasing Agent Ruth Johnson for her presentation during a National Disability Employment Awareness Month observance.

District Purchasing Agent Ruth Johnson was keynote speaker at the Walla Walla District observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year’s theme was “Because we are EQUAL to the task.”
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District Purchasing Agent Ruth Johnson was keynote speaker at the Walla Walla District observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year’s theme was “Because we are EQUAL to the task.”

District Purchasing Agent Ruth Johnson was keynote speaker at the Walla Walla District observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year’s theme was “Because we are EQUAL to the task.”
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District Purchasing Agent Ruth Johnson was keynote speaker at the Walla Walla District observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year’s theme was “Because we are EQUAL to the task.”

District Purchasing Agent Ruth Johnson spoke to Walla Walla District employees during a National Disability Employment Awareness Month observance. This year’s theme was “Because we are EQUAL to the task.”
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District Purchasing Agent Ruth Johnson spoke to Walla Walla District employees during a National Disability Employment Awareness Month observance. This year’s theme was “Because we are EQUAL to the task.”

District Purchasing Agent Ruth Johnson was keynote speaker at the Walla Walla District observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year’s theme was “Because we are EQUAL to the task.”
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District Purchasing Agent Ruth Johnson was keynote speaker at the Walla Walla District observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year’s theme was “Because we are EQUAL to the task.”

Special Emphasis Program Manager/Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist Andrew Dankel-Ibanez (right) introduces Ruth Johnson (left), keynote speaker at the Walla Walla District observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year’s theme was “Because we are EQUAL to the task.”
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Special Emphasis Program Manager/Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist Andrew Dankel-Ibanez (right) introduces Ruth Johnson (left), keynote speaker at the Walla Walla District observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year’s theme was “Because we are EQUAL to the task.”

The Corps of Engineers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports National Disability Employment Awareness Month and other Equal Opportunity Employment Program observances throughout the year.
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The Corps of Engineers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports National Disability Employment Awareness Month and other Equal Opportunity Employment Program observances throughout the year.

Ruth Johnson at her high school graduation. She is a proud high school and college graduate, just like any other graduate. She says people with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) or “brittle bone” disease like her are like everyone else. They experience childhood, have friends, travel, and do many things. They just do some things differently because of physical differences. “It’s about the person inside each of us,” she said.
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Ruth Johnson at her high school graduation. She is a proud high school and college graduate, just like any other graduate. She says people with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) or “brittle bone” disease like her are like everyone else. They experience childhood, have friends, travel, and do many things. They just do some things differently because of physical differences. “It’s about the person inside each of us,” she said.

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Walla Walla District purchasing agent Ruth Johnson was keynote speaker at the District’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month luncheon on Oct. 24. The theme was “Because we are EQUAL to the task.”

Johnson shared her experiences, perspectives and sense of humor with about 70 colleagues and her parents, Wayne and Marlene Johnson, who attended the luncheon. While she does not consider herself “disabled,” she emphasized that people with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) or “brittle bone” disease like her are like everyone else – they experience childhood, have friends, travel, and do many things just like people that don’t have OI. They just do some things differently because of physical differences. “It’s about the person inside each of us,” she said.

About 14 years ago, Johnson volunteered at the Corps in order to get work experience on her resume. She did so well her supervisor urged the District to hire her, and the District did. Johnson also recently earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.