How to Overcome a Disability

The Americans With Disabilities Act defines a person with a disability as having a record of impairment or being regarded as having an impairment. Because of this definition, Americans with impairments are given the opportunity to receive an education and work without discrimination. When you are diagnosed with an impairment, you can either suffer from it or learn to overcome it.

Instructions

• 1

  Understand your disability. When you know the conditions of your disability you empower yourself with the knowledge of how to live successfully. The more you know about your impairment the more efficient you become at participating in activities that you are good at and getting help with those that you struggle with. Ask your doctor for more information about your disability or check the Centers for Disease Control website (see Resources).

• 2

  Develop determination. Set small goals and push yourself to achieve them. Abbie Rabine, first runner-up in the 1999 Miss Massachusetts pageant, was diagnosed with a language-based learning disability that made it difficult to express language in spoken or written form. Rabine said she refused to believe that she could not be educated because of her disability. Through determination and hard work she graduated from both high school and college.

• 3

  Think positively. Maintaining a positive thought pattern allows you to enjoy life and motivates you to try things that seem impossible. Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee runner who holds the world record in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter race under the T44 classification, told The Observer, a British newspaper, that he always wanted to play sports such as rugby and water polo even though both of his legs were amputated. Pistorius said he knew that in order to compete with able-bodied contenders he would have to work hard, think positively and learn how to work with his disability.