Famous Handicapped People

A disability doesn't always have to stand between you and your dreams. You may be able to do all the things you want to do, despite your handicap. While it's true that a disabled person may have to work harder to achieve goals than someone without a disability, the effort is worth it. The Special Olympics are a perfect example of disabled people living their dreams and achieving athletic excellence in their chosen field. It is entirely possible for many disabled persons to participate in athletics. There are many famous handicapped people, and reading about them can help a disabled individual gain confidence.

The most noteworthy disabled person has to be Helen Keller. Born in 1880 and passed on in 1968, Keller was instrumental in helping the disabled live richer, fuller lives. Keller suffered a disease as a toddler that left her blind and deaf. She was educated by Anne Sullivan and became extremely adept at communicating. Keller was also credited with introducing the Akita breed of dog to the United States, and devoted much of her life to advocating for the disabled. She was also a published author and distinguished lecturer.

Someone you may recognize from television shows and movies that suffers from a disability is Marlee Matlin, who is blind. She is an academy award winning actress who despite her disability is a full fledged Hollywood star. Then there's Michael J. Fox, who suffers from Parkinson's Disease. He works hard to raise awareness for the disease and help others. The man many believe to be the smartest person in the world, Steven Hawkings, is confined to a wheelchair and must speak via computer due to Lou Gehrig's Disease. Despite this he is a renowned speaker, author, mathematician and physicist.

There are many famous actors and actresses who have some form of disability, for example Tom Cruise has suffered from dyslexia. Christopher Reeve is another famous name, after being paralyzed in a riding accident he spent the remainder of his years in a wheelchair unable to move his arms or legs. He also used his disability to its fullest by striving to help others. That is perhaps one of the common threads you will notice when researching famous handicapped people. Because they often have the notoriety and financial resources to do so, many disabled stars contribute to research efforts, patient advocacy, disability awareness and more.

 

News for the Physically Challenged:

 

SEPTA opens center at Suburban Station to teach handicapped to ride
SEPTA opened a new "accessible travel center" in Suburban Station on Thursday to make it easier for commuters with handicaps to learn to use buses, subways, and trains...


Net1 issues stake to BEE partners - ITWeb

Net1 issues stake to BEE partners
ITWeb
. Wellness Community Development Project, Sosebenza Cultural Group, Ekuphumleni Frail and Aged Care Centre, Tembaletu School for Handicapped Black Children, Sinethemba HIV AIDS Support Centre, Ubuhlobo Womens Society and Imbiza Yomama Burial Society.

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Program highlights top young women - Madison County Journal

Program highlights top young women
Madison County Journal
Public service includes work as Chinese Cultural School Instructor, Hearts Against Aids, TopSoccer, Teen Trendsetters, and a special session at Camp Bratton Green. When asked the most pressing problem facing young people today, Sumrall said there is a .

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ODA volunteer reaches out to disabled - Oman Tribune

ODA volunteer reaches out to disabled
Oman Tribune
By David Solomon MUSCAT Fatima Jaan Al Zedjali has the desire and passion to reach out to people with love and compassion and help the distressed and disabled in whatever way she can. She has been working with the Oman Disabled Association (ODA) for .

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Handicapped parking dispute
Two Toledo woman feel they've been robbed of their rights. Both women were given citations for parking in a handicapped parking spot but, both of them are handicapped.  ..


Internet fetes developers' act for handicapped gamer
One game developer's response to a handicapped gamer gains attention and accolades, but it also emphasizes how far gaming for the disabled still has to go...


Singles leaders change in Greater C.V. bowling tourney
WATERLOO, Iowa --- Lindsey Johnson and Mary Kaufman bowled their way into the top two spots of the women's singles handicapped division during Tuesday's action in the Greater Cedar valley Tournament...


Filmed beating of handicapped Cache student outrages community
Cache school officials are dealing with an appalling case of bullying a handicapped student.  While one student beat the handicapped boy, five students watched, while another student recorded it on camera and posted the video on YouTube...


Challenge Team looking for city to step up for needy
The Challenge Team for handicapped individuals and those who are mentally and physically disabled will hit the fields to play baseball and have some fun in the process...


 

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