Jason Arday, the master of perseverance
Jason Arday, the master of perseverance
Professor Jason Arday
Image: University of Cambridge Faculty/SWNS
Jason Arday has recently been appointed a professor of sociology of education at Cambridge University in the UK. That wouldn't be all that much of a news if it weren't for the fact that Mr Arday did not speak to the age of 11 and was not able to read and write until he was 18. Severely autistic, he was designated a life-long ward of the state. He defied that designation and got where he got by basically trying to learn what he had to - by writing the best he could, by studying and eventually passing all the tests and overcoming all the odds.
Of course, this speaks to many points. This speaks to the power of stubborness and perseverance. Yes, sometimes you just do it the best you can - until you end up doing it better than most. This also speaks to the ephemeral nature of all but hard-core physical concepts, especially of medical diagnoses. And, most importantly, it talks to inherent limitations of experts and their predictions. How many experts had stated unequivocally that Arday was destined to a life of disability and helplessness? I suspect quite a few. How many of them are now openly acknowledging their mistake? I would be curious to know.
And so, next time you hear the phrase that is so fashionable these days, "experts say", remember this name: Jason Arday. And don't rush to trust those so-called "experts".
References
Man who couldn’t read until 18 becomes Cambridge’s youngest-ever black professor
Emma Brazell, Matro, 23 February 2023
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