Sumblog 2

When it comes to disabilities, there's so many ways to look at it. It can be seen as something that will hinder the person it affects. It can also be seen as something that the person just adjusts to and learns to live with.
About 12 years ago, my dad, who has since passed, had a stroke. He never fully recovered from it. With about 60% function in his arm and about 80% (at best) function in his leg, my dad was never the same physically again. He worked hard in therapy to overcome the hand he had been dealt and learned to walk again with the help of a cane. My dad was able to go back to his job and continue working full time. Years later, after a series of mini strokes, my dad became too disabled to complete his job function. He went through 2 tests, with 2 different doctors and eventually he received disability payments. He never considered himself a burden on society as the definition given in class implied.
There was a young man in my high school who suffered from a severe case of fetal alcohol syndrome. He was unable to make complete sentences and sometimes even struggled with words. He had difficulty walking and wore a helmet to protect himself in case of a fall. He had a heart of gold. He didn't let his disabilities stop him from going on with life. Everyone understood his situation, and while most high school age kids would make fun of someone in such a situation, the students in my school accepted him for who he was and treated him the same as anyone else.
 A perfect example of overcoming a disability is Frederic Bilodeau. His brother, Alex, has recently won a gold medal for skiing, representing Canada in the Olympics. Frederic has cerebral palsy. I would not say that Frederic is someone who suffers from it. When Alex won his gold medal, he congratulated the other competitors and went running to his brother who was in the stands waiting for him. When interviewed, Alex gave his brother Frederic as his reason for getting up every day to practice. It was a very heart warming moment. Here is the story and the full interview done with Alex Bilodeau. http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/disabled-brother-inspires-alex-bilodeaus-gold-medal-run
So we ask what is a disability? To me a disability is just something stopping you from your fullest potential. If a person is missing a limb, or is cognitively behind, if they don't let it get in the way, why should it be considered a disability? A disability is what the person affected by it makes it. My dad went back to work full time, the student in my high school did the best that he could. Alex used his Frederic's situation to inspire his gold medal winning performance.