Opening Statement:
In celebration of Black History Month, I wanted to share four present-day Black Americans who have worked through their disabilities, become famous, rich, and who never let their disability get in their way of succeeding, and living their dreams!
Simone Biles, Olympic Champion, Condition: ADHD
· Simone Biles is a 2016 Olympic gymnastics champion and the first female gymnast to win four consecutive all-around world titles since the 1970s. She has won an eye-popping 14 world championship medals.
· At the age of six, Simone was diagnosed with ADHD and today serves as a powerful voice for those with both invisible and visible disabilities.
· More than the awards and medals she gained for her athletic abilities, her decision to withdraw from the 2020 Olympics for mental health reasons speaks to the larger issue of society’s tendency to measure success through achievements.
· Simone took a “loss” to achieve an even greater gain with her mental health and opened-up the conversation around the emotional and mental toll of competing. Her story highlights how important it is to take care of oneself and is a shining example of courage and strength.
Missy Elliot, Award-Winning Female Hip Hop Icon, Condition: Trauma
· Missy Elliott, the 51-year-old businesswoman, rapper, and Grammy Award winner, was born and raised in Virginia under challenging circumstances. Her childhood was marked by significant trauma, but by the early 1990s, she had become a Platinum-selling artist.
· At the peak of her career in 2008, Elliott experienced a startling and alarming weight loss, sparking criticism from both fans and the media. She was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, an incurable autoimmune disorder that causes a range of symptoms, including hair loss, tremors, muscle weakness, and bulging eyes.
· Her condition hindered her from continuing to make music for years, “I couldn’t write because my nervous system was so bad, I couldn’t even use a pen,” she recounts in an interview.
· Elliott had to take a step back from her career in order to focus on her recovery, which included radiation and medication. Through nutrition, exercise, and ongoing treatments, she has learned to live with and manage her disease.
· In 2011, Elliott returned to the music scene, surprising fans with collaborations with Katy Perry and Michelle Obama.
Clarence Page, Pulitzer-Prize Winning Journalist and Disability Advocate, Condition: ADHD
· Clarence Page is a highly accomplished journalist, Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated columnist for the Tribune Network, a member of the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board, and a frequent contributor to various news programs.
· Clarence, who has ADHD, believes his condition has helped him become a successful journalist. He encourages those with a similar diagnosis to use their condition as a “floor for their opportunities, not a ceiling for their abilities.”
· He is also a vocal advocate for people with disabilities and works to reduce the stigma surrounding ADHD. He knows that life can be challenging for children with ADHD and strives to make it easier for them to reach their full potential.
· Along with 17 personalities spanning various industries and careers, Clarence was featured in the book, “Positively ADD”, saying that, ‘people expect [children with ADHD] to act and learn in a certain way, but they don’t. They must fight to figure out who they are and what they need.”
Daymond John, Multi-Millionaire Clothing Mogul & “Shark Tank” Star, Condition: Dyslexia & Hearing Impairment
· Born on February 23, 1969, in Queens, New York, Daymond John has made an indelible mark as an American businessman, investor, and television personality. Daymond founded The Shark Group and serves as one of the five investors on ABC’s Shark Tank.
· John launched his successful clothing line FUBU in the 1990s and gained instant popularity when LL Cool J sported a FUBU hat in a Gap commercial. This led to a distribution deal with Samsung, and the company made $350 million in sales in 1998, positioning John as a business guru, branding specialist, and “Godfather of Urban Fashion.”.
· As a child, he found it difficult to read and write. Professionals diagnosed him with a learning disability, but it wasn’t until 1999 that he received an official diagnosis of dyslexia after a friend encouraged him to seek help. Since then, he has been vocal about his dyslexia, speaking about it in events, interviews, and social media. He has also been diagnosed with a hearing disorder and uses assistive technology to manage his hearing loss.
Closing Statement:
Let these four famous individuals inspire you to never give up, never doubt yourself, never let anyone beat you down. Whatever your disability is, embracing it is the first step to succeeding in the future! Find what your interests are, do your best, and then run with it. Don’t listen to others and what they think you should do in life, or a career path that they think you can only do. For so long people with disabilities have been put in a society bubble and pushed off to the side. We do and will continue to make a significant mark in the workforce and as well as being true and compassionate advocates.
Source of Information: Various Google Searches
Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!
Comentarios