NOT DISABLED BUT DIFFERENTLY ABLED: DISABILITY IS NOT INABILITY

Owolanwo Maria-Femi Peter CSSp

INTRODUCTION

A significant portion of the society nurse beautiful dreams and aspirations just so to attain greatness in life. They could even have talents which they have discovered and are planning to nurture and utilize. They may have set certain goals and are assiduously making efforts to attaining great heights. However, the unexpected may happen. They never planned for it; disaster struck through a particular disability. This could be depressing and pose a threat to their goals and aspirations. Suddenly, dreams seemed to be shattered and hopes gone. What would be their fate? Would the trajectory of their dreams change? Would they use their disabilities as excuses, allowing despondency to have a hold on their resilience?   

Albert Einstein, Hellen Keller, Andrea Boccelli, Zion Clark, Nick Vujicic to mention only a few, were all record breakers and achievers who fought through disabilities to unveil their treasures. Their disabilities did not deter them from competing with others in the society and becoming achievers. They proved to the world that they could express themselves and their talents in different ways even though deprived of some body parts or abilities. Realizing that success is not a destination but a journey, these men undertook a journey of hard toils and were undaunted in asserting their worth in life. While alive or growing up they must have been taunted or even considered as “good for nothing,” but believing in themselves and the abilities in them, they went on to make a difference in the society.

NO EXCUSE: YOU DON’T NEED LEGS TO LEAVE FOOTPRINTS ON EARTH!

The story of Zion Clark, a Paralympic medalist is an inspiration to anyone who has given up on life owing to disabilities. Zion Clark had boldly tattooed to his back, the inscription, “No Excuse”. Born with a rare birth defect called Caudal Regression Syndrome, Clark was without legs and was rejected by his biological parents only to be adopted by another family. Searching for a talent, he found one in wrestling. He lost about two hundred matches before he could win his first match. Together with his coach, he developed a tactic that would suit his disability while wrestling against opponents. Clark worked on it and became very good at it. In one of his interviews Clark had said, “You don’t need legs to leave footprints on earth.” He proved this to the world by becoming one of the Paralympic champions. Rather than giving excuses and lamenting over his ordeals, he invented a way to survive. He improvised for what he lacked with what he has. Clark saw in his physical disability, a different ability.

Andrea Boccelli is a household name in classical music who rose excellently in the hall of fame of all time classical musicians and left an impressive legacy behind. He was born with partial blindness and later lost his sight completely through a blow he suffered during a football match. Despite his blindness, he still went ahead to become one of the most respected classical musicians in the history of the industry. He was undaunted in his zeal to be relevant in the world. He has over a million musical records to his name.   

Most people must have heard or read about the Theory of Relativity and Quantum Mechanics which are some of the many contributions of Albert Einstein in the sciences. Albert Einstein whose findings have shaped modern physics was not born a genius and was not without a deformity. He was diagnosed of dyslexia, a learning disorder characterized by difficulty in reading, coupled with the fact that his speech was delayed until he was six years old.  He also found it difficult to express his ideas in writing. This made studying and coping in the classroom challenging for him. He was mocked by his classmates and must have probably been called ‘a good for nothing’ person. Rather than allowing his disability to limit his ability, he disregarded the mockery and fought his situation, rising to be one of the greatest intellect the world has ever known, especially in the sciences.     

Like Albert Einstein, Helen Keller would have given up on life too when at a very tender age she became deaf and dumb but her resilient attitude towards life made her struggle through the hurdles of life successful. How she managed to triumph over her deformities is not only linked to the acceptance of her physical disability but a conviction that she is destined for greatness.  

Nick Vujicic is an Australian-American evangelist and the founder of Life Without Limbs (an organization for physically disabled persons). He is also a motivational speaker who believes that if he could make a difference on earth irrespective of being without limbs, others in similar situation can do the same. He is also living evidence of the assertion that disability is not inability. He was born with no limbs but has gone on to be an inspiration to millions of people worldwide. He has authored many books including, Life Without Limit: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life (2007), Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action (2012), Love Without Limit: a Remarkable Story of True Love Conquering All (2014) and Be the Hands and Feet: Living-Out God’s Love for All His Children (2018).

BORROWING A LEAF FROM THE PARALYMPIC GAMES

Over the years, the Paralympic games has existed and has been a source of inspiration to many who were either physically challenged from birth or due to an accident. Appraisingly, the competition has proved a clear valuable point that all have treasures irrespective of their physical challenges. “Spirit in motion” is the motto of the Paralympic games, well represented on the Paralympic symbol with the colours red, blue and green. The treasure in men is not a respecter of their physical outlook but a respecter of the determination and zeal to be achievers. Hence, instead of lamenting over their physical disability, the physically challenged have made use of the stages of the Paralympic games to unveil their talents. The initiative behind the Paralympic games was to give a chance to the disabled to prove that disability is not inability and to portray the fact that they can do things differently well.   

A deep search and reflection would reveal to us that the creator has a way of making up for the things we lack. He does not leave us stranded. In most cases, the Creator does not look for the most perfect personalities or the most capacitated of all men to demonstrate his glory. The physically challenged may appear unqualified but the Creator has a way of giving them a chance to survive. As a result, they only had to look beyond their physical challenges and try to get the best version of themselves.          

In conclusion, when life serves us the toughest circumstances and deals a devastating blow on us, there are always ways around it. Bearing in mind that having the right attitude to life situation is a major key to succeed even in the most unfavourable conditions. Rather than expressing an attitude of regrets over their ordeals, great men think outside the box and improvise. The world would not have known them if they allowed their physical disabilities to hinder their potentials. They proved to the whole world that they can do more just like their counterparts who were not physically challenged. They chose not to appeal to the pity of men and refused to give excuses. While accepting their deformities, they knew the enormity of the expectations of living among men who carry on their daily task most times without due considerations to the state of the disabled.