7 interesting facts about the disabled

The theme of today's edition of our regular column may make you wonder. However, today, December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and we decided to take advantage of this opportunity to more to remind you of the achievements of people who initially put in much more difficult circumstances than most of us.

According to the latest UN estimates, the world today, there are about 1 billion people with varying degrees of disability. This is about 15% of the world population. Of these, 110-190 million people - it is disabled with serious functional limitations.

Despite disabilities, people with disabilities, some are of great assistance to people in good health. For example, Nick Vujicic (Nicholas Vujicic), born with the syndrome tetraamelii - a rare hereditary disease that leads to the absence of the four limbs. He is a world-renowned motivational speaker, a religious preacher, philanthropist and author. His performances have helped thousands of perfectly healthy people to find their way in life.

Canadians Terrance Stanley Fox (Terrance Stanley Fox) in 1977, was diagnosed with cancer. He at that time was 19 years old, and he is actively involved in sports. After surgery, he lost a leg. Three years after that, he decided to run across the country from coast to coast. The purpose of run - fundraising for Cancer Research. His race for 5373 km lasted 143 days, on average, Terry Fox overcame to 42 km per day. However, the disease continues to progress, and he had to leave the race. Soon Terry died without finishing his "Marathon of Hope". But his campaign has attracted a lot of attention, and as a result has raised over 24 million dollars in donations. Now, in Canada and even more than 50 countries worldwide charity race named Terry Fox held annually.

American Matt Statsman (Matt Stutzman) was born without both hands. For the majority of people, this would mean a severe sentence of eternal inferiority. However, Matt is not only learned to do almost all the necessary steps with his feet, but also become one of the best archers of the world. It was he who holds the record for the most distant and accurate shot from a bow. But the greatest achievement of his victory he said over the public system, which does not want to admit that people without both hands can get right to the machine control.

Popular rock band Def Leppard has been at the peak of his fame when her drummer Rick Allen (Richard Allen) had a car accident and lost his left arm. Despite this, he decided to pursue music lessons. Comrades, do not cast him in trouble, and soon he began to rehearse on a specially designed hybrid setup for him. Allen participated in the recording of many successful albums of Def Leppard, concerts and tours of the group.

Among the great modern musicians can recall at least two men who had congenital health problems. First - this is Stevie Wonder (Stevie Wonder), born blind singer, songwriter, pianist, drummer, music producer, which has had a huge impact on the music of the XX century, the 25-time award winner "Grammy". Not inferior to him in the amount of winning the famous blind musician Ray Charles (Ray Charles), which was awarded 17 awards "Grammy", hit the Hall of Fame rock n 'roll, jazz, country and blues. By the way, at one time, he founded the Foundation helping people suffering from deafness. When asked why it helps to deal with hearing disorders, rather than vision, he said that music saved his life and he does not know how I would live if I could not hear her.

American Helen Keller (Helen Keller) still in its infancy completely lost hearing and vision. Typically, these children can not develop normally and are forced to languish in shelters for the mentally ill. However, in this case, nature stepped in front of tenacity and talent. Helen was possible thanks to the special education system, first to finish school and then university. Subsequently, she dedicated her life to politics, social activity and protect the rights of people with disabilities, and has also written 12 books.

Of course, the listed examples of achievements of people with (un) limited possibilities are far from exhausted. Even more interesting facts about the human strength of mind can be found in our series "no excuses».