OLD-SCHOOL WHEELING- EVEN FAMOUS PEOPLE HAVE OVERCOME DISABILITIES

 I wrote the following article, published in The Phoenix on March 2, 2007...

There have been many famous people in time who were disabled. Most rose above their challenge in life and became well-known personalities, and not only because of their particular disability. People like Ray Charles, Helen Keller, Christopher Reeve and Stevie Wonder come to mind.

 Following is a list of famous people - both celebrities and historical figures - who have been challenged by a disability. Some may surprise you.

 Albert Einstein – The famous scientist had a learning disability and did not speak until the age of three

. Alexander Graham Bell - The inventor of the telephone also battled a learning disability during his life

. Cher - The singer /actress suffers from dyslexia.

 Thomas Edison – Another scientist who conquered a learning disability when he was young. In fact, Edison couldn’t read until he was twelve.

 Franklin Roosevelt – A four-term President of the United States, many were unaware that he was afflicted with Polio. Roosevelt was president before the age of television, so his disability was not as apparent as it would be today.

 George Washington - Yes, our first president and the Father of Our Country also had a learning disability, could hardly write, and had very poor grammar skills, according to historians

. Goya - The great Spanish painter continued to be perhaps the best of his time, despite losing his hearing at the young age of 46 from an illness.

 John Milton - The English author/poet went blind at age 43, before he wrote his most famous work, “Paradise Lost.”

 Beethoven - The brilliant composer was deaf, yet composed some of the world’s most beautiful music.

 Marla Runyan - A lesser known public figure, Marla was a 31-year-old runner in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She competed for the United States in the 1,500-meter track event and ultimately finished 8th overall. What made her achievement remarkable was the fact that Marla was legally blind from Stargardt Disease, which limits one’s ability to see what is in front of him or herself. Marla not only competed in the Paralympics, but was the first disabled person to be an athlete in the able-bodied Olympics as well.

 Marlee Matlin - The hearing-impaired actress won an Oscar for her performance in the 1987 movie “Children of a Lesser God,” and has continued to act since.

 Michael Bolton – The romantic singer is deaf in one ear.

 Robin Williams -The zany comic suffered from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( ADHD) as a child. He has never turned down a medical role offered to him (such as “Patch Adams” and “Awakenings”).

 Stephen Hawkins – The noted physicist has ALS and needs a computer to speak, yet he is considered to be one of the brilliant minds on the planet.

 Tom Cruise - The actor is severely dyslexic. Walt Disney - Also had a learning disability.

 Woodrow Wilson – Our president from 1913-1921, not only had a learning disability, but was dyslexic as well.

 So, what do all of these people have in common, other than being famous? They are a testimony that disabilities can be overcome with success, and a positive, determined attitude can supersede both physical and prejudicial barriers.

 They also prove that, if given the chance, anyone with a challenge in life can still affect life itself - and make the world a better place to live.