I’ve often found that “disabled” people are some of the most “abled” people I know. I’ve learned much about living and life from people who have been labeled disabled.
I’ll bet that many of you have found the same.
I now often make eye contact, smile, and say hello to people who are labeled disabled, and if the situation permits, I talk with them if they appear to welcome it.
These are gifts that I give to myself.
I’ll bet that many of you do the same.
With love,
Russ
About russtowne
I'm awed by the beauty of nature and the power of love and gratitude. Some of my favorite sensory experiences include waves crashing on rocky shores, waterways in ancient redwood and fern-filled forests, and rain. My wife and I have been married since 1979. We have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. I manage a wealth management firm that I founded in 2003. My Beloved is a Special Education teacher for Kindergartners and First Graders. I'm a published author of approximately 60 books in a variety of genres for grownups and children.
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
This post has really struck achord with me.
Until about three years ago I was perfectly “abled”
Then the MS started to progress and suddenly my mobility isues rendered me, in society’s eyes, “disabled”, a word I cannot get along with; it has implications.
I prefer, if indeed there must be a term for it, “differently abled”, but I dont particular.y like the idea of any distinction. Though for practical purposes I guess there has to be one.
I certainly still have all my marbles and have even gained a few,one being poetry writing which I never did before. So if we ever meet I am sure we would have a lovely chat 🙂
Christine
This post really struck a chord with me. Until three years ago I was perfectly “abled” but then the MS began to take its progressive toll and now beause of mobility issues I am rendered by our society as “disabled”. If there has to be a distinction, and I guess there has to be for practical reasons, I prefer the term “differently abled”. But I still don’t like it!,
I definitely still have all my marbles; in fact I have gained a few, one of them being poetry writing, which I never did before. 🙂
Christine
In my former life I was the HR Director for a non-profit which served the developmentally challenged adults in a county in Maryland, offering various services in seven locations in the area. These were arguably the most uplifting years professionally. It was a gift for me – that has lasted a lifetime.
I smiled as I read your comment, Mimi, and am glad that your life has been blessed by having such special people in it–and that the people you came into contact with were blessed by having you in theres’.
Russ
This post struck a chord with me. Until three years ago, I was completely “abled”. Then the MS began go take its progressive tool and because of mobility issues I am rendered by our society as “disabled”. I prefer the term “differently abled” but I really don’t like any distinction, though for practical purposes I guess it is necessary.
I still have all my marbles and have in fact gained a few , one of which being poetry writing because I never wrote any before my diagnosis. 🙂
Christine
For 9 months I’ve been working at http://www.vecova.ca an organization that works with persons who have development disabilities and seeks to create a world where persons with disabilities are valued and integral in society. thanks for this post Russ.
Thank you for the work you and your organization are doing, Diana. May that vision come true. May they be valued and not exploited; a part of the whole and apart no more.
Russ
Thanks Russ!
I often think of my blind friend who does more than a dozen of my sighted friends combined! There is also the former patient, paraplegic, who builds and races boats. But, I think we all have “disabilities”, visible and invisible. It’s how you work with them and around them that counts.
I agree that we all have areas where are abilities are below average or that we can’t do certain things. Unfortunately, some people are given the label “disabled” while others are not. Thank you for your comment.
Russ