Historical perceptions of people with disabilities have, unfortunately, not always been kind. As a result, hearing and understanding the stories of historical people with disabilities is something few people get a chance to do.
But that doesn’t mean no people with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and similar challenges have left an impact. Below, we explore some of the most significant people with disabilities throughout history who showed that any person can achieve any goal.
Helen Keller
Born on June 27, 1880, Helen Keller was an author, activist, and advocate for individuals with disabilities. Keller was left deaf and blind after contracting a high fever when she was 19 months old. Her teacher, Anne Sullivan, taught Helen braille, finger spelling, and lip reading to help her communicate. Later on, Anne successfully taught Keller to speak.
But Helen Keller’s achievements didn’t end during her childhood. Throughout her life, she co-founded the American Civil Liberties Union, wrote and published several works, and was an early supporter of the NAACP. Her impact shows that no obstacles can limit a person with passion and a desire for change.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Iconic composer Ludwig van Beethoven created pieces of music that shaped work for centuries to come. Despite his musical excellence, Beethoven was unable to hear his pieces for much of his life. He began losing his hearing at age 28, and by 44, he was completely deaf.
Hearing loss challenged Beethoven, but his love for his craft pushed him to continue creating new pieces. Today, he is still recognized as one of the best composers of all time.
Harriet Tubman
Civil rights leader and Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman experienced recurring seizures and fainting spells, which experts now suspect to be a sign of epilepsy or narcolepsy.
Tubman suffered a traumatic head injury during her adolescence, leaving her with lasting damage that affected the way she lived. Regardless, Harriet still made over a dozen daring trips to help free enslaved persons from the Southern U.S. and went on to become one of the most influential figures in American history.
Stephen Hawking
Professor Stephen Hawking was one of the most widely recognized figures with a disability. After developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, shortly after he finished school at Oxford University, Hawking’s life transformed.
Despite his poor initial prognosis, Hawking lived five decades longer than doctors anticipated. Assistive technology enabled Hawking to continue his work as a theoretical physicist. He made vital contributions to the field, wrote books, and shaped the world, all while encouraging others with disabilities to embrace their strengths rather than limitations.
Madeline Stuart
Modern celebrity Madeline Stuart is the first professional model with Down syndrome and autism. In the past few years, Madeline has skyrocketed to fame after multiple viral hits. Today, she has appeared on catwalks in New York and Paris Fashion Weeks, Runway Dubai, and more. Madeline strives to create a space for people with disabilities in an industry that has traditionally discounted them. Her talent shows that fashion is for everyone and anyone.
Final Thoughts: Why Representation Matters
Representation is key for one simple reason: seeing people like ourselves in the media or our history books reminds us that anything is possible. The less exposure we have to examples we relate to, the more we might doubt our ability to pursue our goals.
At NeuroNav, we believe in empowering all people with disabilities to make their dreams a reality. Contact us today to learn about our services and how they might help you.
