5 Famous People who overcame their disability

I often hear people with disabilities saying that they want to do a certain big thing but they won’t even try, because they know they won’t succeed. But have you even tried? Maybe there is a way to do it, or maybe there is something else you can do which is very much related to your first plan. Where would the world be if everyone did the same? You might say that the others are not disabled so everything is easier for them. So I picked 5 disabled personalities who will live forever in the world’s memory for their amazing achievements. What if they would have had this “I can’t” attitude? The world would be poorer for sure. So next time you hesitate, think of these awesome people and try again!

Stephen Hawking (born in 1942)

It’s almost impossible to never hear of Stephen Hawking on the internet or on TV. He is an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, author and Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology within the University of Cambridge and he is famous for discussing his own theories and cosmology in general.

Hawking has a motor neuron disease related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's Disease, a condition that has progressed over the years. He is almost entirely paralysed and communicates through a speech-generating device.

As a science enthusiast myself, I think this man is amazing. And the most important, he never gave up on his studies and his dream of making groundbreaking discoveries, despite his condition which got worse and worse as the years passed.

Since the 1990s, Hawking has accepted the mantle of role model for disabled people, lecturing and participating in fundraising activities. At the turn of the century, he and eleven other luminaries signed the "Charter for the Third Millennium on Disability" which called on governments to prevent disability and protect disabled rights.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking

http://www.hawking.org.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/stephenhawking

Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)

We move on to those who are no longer on Earth, but only in spirit and memory. Not many know that the famous musician whose symphonies are still listened every day all over the world, was actually deaf. He gradually lost his hearing, starting from the age of 30, and by the last decade of his life he was totally deaf.

Despite his loss of hearing, he continued to compose, many of his most admired works actually dating from the time when he was completely deaf. There are lots of explanations for his ability to still compose wonderful music despite his complete lack of hearing, but I guess he just found a way to adapt and keep doing what he loved the most.

So next time you hear the Ninth Symphony, remember that disability is not an impediment to doing what you love, but just a challenge you can overcome!

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven
http://www.biography.com/people/ludwig-van-beethoven-9204862

Frida Khalo (1907 - 1954)

The famous Mexican painter is well known for her self-portraits and her work has always been an emblematic of Mexican national and indigenous tradition and by feminists for its uncompromising depiction of the female experience and form.

She had numerous health issues, part of which were caused by a bus accident in 1925. The bus she was riding collided with a trolley car. She suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident, including a broken spinal column, a broken collarbone, broken ribs, a broken pelvis, eleven fractures in her right leg, a crushed and dislocated right foot, and a dislocated shoulder. She recovered from the serious injuries, but never fully.

Kahlo also contracted polio at age six, which left her right leg thinner than the left; she disguised this later in life by wearing long, colorful skirts. It has been conjectured that she was born with spina bifida, a congenital condition that could have affected both spinal and leg development.

Despite her situation, she never gave up on painting, instead she managed to transcend her pain and express it in her paintings.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frida_Kahlo
http://www.fridakahlo.com/

Bethany Hamilton (born in 1990)

Bethany is an American professional surfer who lost one of her arms in a shark attack back in 2003. While most people doubted she would be back to surfing, she never allowed her accident to stand in the way of her passion – surfing. She wrote about her experience in the 2004 autobiography Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board. In April 2011, the feature film Soul Surfer was released; it was based on the book and additional interviews. She has appeared on many television shows since the loss of her arm.

Her and her husband, Adam Dirks, are competing as a team on one of my favorite TV shows, The Amazing Race, which has the final episode this Friday. They made it to the final 4 and I’ve been rooting from them from the very beginning, really hoping they will win this. Bethany was amazing through the whole competition and rocked all the challenges despite her having one arm. I always try to adapt to the everyday tasks, but even I was blown away seeing her finding her own ways to do things which are sometimes hard to do even for people with two arms. And what I loved the most about their team, I’ve never seen them fighting or arguing. One of my favorite all time teams! Best of luck on Friday, Bethany and Adam!

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany_Hamilton
http://bethanyhamilton.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SurferBethanyHamilton

Nicholas James "Nick" Vujicic (born in 1982)

Nick is an Australian motivational speaker and an Evangelist preacher born with a rare disorder called “tetra-amelia syndrome”, which basically means that he is missing all of his four limbs. Despite his severe condition, he chose to have a fulfilling life and motivate everyone else to do the same. He has a double bachelor degree in accounting and financial planning and he is the founder of the non-profit organization Life Without Limbs.

Vujicic promotes his work through television shows and through his writing. His first book, Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life was published by Random House in 2010. He markets a motivational DVD,Life's Greater Purpose, a short documentary filmed in 2005 highlighting his home life and regular activities. The second part of the DVD was filmed at his local church in Brisbane – one of his first professional motivational speeches. He markets a DVD for young people titled No Arms, No Legs, No Worries!.

He managed to look beyond his disability and lead a fulfilling life, while helping others to overcome their own obstacles and I think that's an amazing way of spending your life.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Vujicic
http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/
https://www.facebook.com/NickVujicic