PROFILE: Julian Wager(Sci)

[Max]

PROFILE: Julian Wager
Sheila McKenna

December 15, 2002

ROLE

General manager of the Queens Gazette; founding president of Central Astoria Local Development Coalition for 25 years; president of the Steinway Business Improvement District, formerly Steinway Street Merchants Association; member of the board of directors of the Variety Boys and Girls Club; treasurer of the Walter Kaner Children's Foundation; recently honored by the Queens Borough President's Task Force on Persons with Disabilities for his work with Variety Boys and Girls Club, among other organizations.

BIOGRAPHY

73; native of Astoria; graduate of City College; ran the family's lingerie business, Genius and Chic Corsets, on Steinway Street, for 40 years, until 1991; a spinal cord injury 2 1/2 years ago left him a paraplegic; married, six daughters and nine grandchildren; lives in Beechhurst

WHY HE'S ACTIVE

"I believe in giving back to the community. To me it's important. I was very fortunate - I had two successful businesses in Astoria - and I want to keep it as vital as it has always been. When I became paralyzed it just gave me more of an impetus to get back and do some more community work because in truth that's what keeps me going."

WISH

"That people were more aware of the fact that people with disabilities are no different than anyone else. We might have a slight problem, like not being able to walk or see or hear, but, deep down, we are human beings and we should be treated as such. We're not looking for sympathy, just equal treatment and to be given the opportunity to improve our worth. I'd also like to see the stigma attached to the disabled disappear so more of them could get a job."

PROUD OF

"Being able to give back.... It's very important that people realize how vital volunteer work is. Sometimes in today's world people are too self-absorbed and don't have time and that's a shame. Because with time and a little effort the world can be improved."
Copyright © 2002, Newsday, Inc.