Disabilities are often perceived as barriers that limit individuals’ potential. However, history and contemporary society are replete with examples of extraordinary individuals who have not only overcome their disabilities but have also achieved remarkable success in their respective fields. These inspiring personalities demonstrate that physical or mental impairments do not define one’s ability to make significant contributions to the world. This article highlights the achievements of some famous people with disability, showcasing their determination, resilience, and the profound impact they have made in various domains, from science and sports to art and activism. Their stories serve as powerful reminders that with perseverance and passion, any obstacle can be turned into an opportunity for greatness.
19 Famous people with disability with achievements
1. Stephen Hawking
- Background: Stephen Hawking was a British theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author.
- Disability: He had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a motor neurone disease that gradually paralyzed him.
- Achievements: Stephen Hawking was renowned for his contributions to theoretical physics and cosmology. He wrote the bestseller “A Brief History of Time” and made significant contributions to our understanding of black holes and the Big Bang theory.
- Success: Despite his illness, Hawking continued his scientific research and writing, becoming one of the most prominent scientists in the world.
2. Nick Vujicic
- Background: Nick Vujicic is an Australian motivational speaker and author.
- Disability: He was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of arms and legs.
- Achievements: Nick Vujicic has never let his disability hinder him. He has traveled worldwide, delivering motivational speeches, and has written a book titled “Life Without Limits.”
- Success: Vujicic is known for his positive outlook and determination, inspiring millions of people globally.
3. Kyle Maynard
- Background: Kyle Maynard is an American athlete, speaker, and author.
- Disability: He was born with congenital amputation, where his arms and legs are not fully developed.
- Achievements: Maynard is a successful wrestler, mixed martial artist, and mountain climber. He has also written a book called “No Excuses.”
- Success: Maynard climbed Mount Kilimanjaro without prosthetics, demonstrating incredible perseverance and resilience. His life mantra “no excuses” inspires people worldwide.
4. Bethany Hamilton
- Background: Bethany Hamilton is an American professional surfer.
- Disability: At the age of 13, she lost her left arm in a shark attack.
- Achievements: Despite the attack, Hamilton continued surfing and has won several competitions. She wrote an autobiography titled “Soul Surfer,” which was later made into a film.
- Success: Hamilton never allowed her disability to hinder her surfing career. She is also a motivational speaker, inspiring others to overcome their challenges.
5. Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Background: Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd President of the United States.
- Disability: He contracted poliomyelitis (polio), which resulted in paralysis of his legs.
- Achievements: Roosevelt led the United States through the Great Depression and World War II. He implemented the “New Deal” policies to help revive the American economy.
- Success: Despite his disability, Roosevelt served four terms as President and is remembered for his strong leadership during difficult times.
6. Mallory Weggemann
- Background: Mallory Weggemann is an American Paralympic swimmer.
- Disability: In 2008, she became paralyzed from the waist down due to complications from an epidural injection.
- Achievements: Weggemann won a gold medal in the 2012 London Paralympics and multiple medals at World Championships. She is also a motivational speaker and author of the book “Limitless.”
- Success: Despite her paralysis, Weggemann has continued to excel in swimming, breaking multiple world records and inspiring many with her story of resilience and determination.
7. Andrea Bocelli
- Background: Andrea Bocelli is an Italian tenor and singer-songwriter.
- Disability: He was born with congenital glaucoma and became completely blind at the age of 12 after a football accident.
- Achievements: Bocelli has sold over 90 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He has released numerous albums in both classical and pop music.
- Success: Despite his blindness, Bocelli has achieved global fame for his powerful and emotive voice, performing in prestigious venues and collaborating with other famous artists.
8. Muniba Mazari
- Background: Muniba Mazari is a Pakistani artist, motivational speaker, and television host.
- Disability: She was paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident at the age of 21.
- Achievements: Mazari became Pakistan’s first wheelchair-using model and has been featured in various campaigns. She is also a UN Women’s Ambassador and has delivered inspiring speeches around the world.
- Success: Mazari uses her platform to advocate for the rights of women and persons with disabilities, inspiring many with her art and powerful messages of hope and resilience.
9. Stevie Wonder
- Background: Stevie Wonder is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.
- Disability: He was born blind due to retinopathy of prematurity.
- Achievements: Wonder is one of the most successful musicians of all time, with 25 Grammy Awards and numerous hits like “Superstition,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” and “I Just Called to Say I Love You.”
- Success: Despite his blindness, Wonder has had a prolific career spanning decades, influencing multiple generations of musicians and earning accolades for his contributions to music.
10. Alaqua Cox
- Background: Alaqua Cox is a Native American actress.
- Disability: She was born deaf.
- Achievements: Cox gained fame for her role as Maya Lopez (Echo) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series “Hawkeye.”
- Success: Despite her deafness, Cox has successfully broken into mainstream acting, representing both the Native American and deaf communities on a global platform, and inspiring many with her talent and perseverance.
11. Helen Keller
- Background: Helen Keller was an American author, political activist, and lecturer.
- Disability: She became deaf and blind at 19 months old due to an illness, possibly scarlet fever or meningitis.
- Achievements: Keller was the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. She wrote numerous books, including her autobiography “The Story of My Life.” Keller was also a prominent advocate for people with disabilities and co-founded the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
- Success: Despite her severe disabilities, Keller became an influential figure in advocating for disability rights and education, inspiring millions with her achievements and resilience.
12. John Hockenberry
- Background: John Hockenberry is an American journalist and author.
- Disability: He became paralyzed from the chest down after a car accident at the age of 19.
- Achievements: Hockenberry has won multiple awards, including four Emmy Awards and three Peabody Awards. He is known for his work with NPR, ABC News, and NBC, as well as his book “Moving Violations: War Zones, Wheelchairs, and Declarations of Independence.”
- Success: Despite his paralysis, Hockenberry has had a successful career in journalism, becoming a respected and influential voice in the media industry.
13. Frida Kahlo
- Background: Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter known for her powerful and vibrant self-portraits.
- Disability: Kahlo contracted polio at a young age, which left her with a limp. Later, a bus accident caused severe injuries, leading to lifelong pain and medical issues.
- Achievements: Kahlo’s art, which often depicted her pain and suffering, has gained international recognition and acclaim. She is celebrated for her unique style and contribution to the Surrealist movement.
- Success: Despite her physical pain and disabilities, Kahlo became one of the most iconic and influential artists of the 20th century, known for her bold and emotive works.
14. Sudha Chandran
- Background: Sudha Chandran is an Indian actress and classical dancer.
- Disability: She lost her right leg in a car accident and now uses a prosthetic limb.
- Achievements: Chandran continued her career in dance using a prosthetic leg and became a renowned Bharatanatyam dancer. She also achieved success as an actress in Indian television and film.
- Success: Chandran’s determination and talent have made her a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, and she continues to inspire many with her story of overcoming adversity.
15. Girish Sharma
- Background: Girish Sharma is an Indian para-badminton player.
- Disability: He lost one leg in a train accident at a young age.
- Achievements: Sharma has won several national and international para-badminton championships, showcasing his exceptional skills and determination.
- Success: Despite losing a leg, Sharma pursued his passion for badminton and achieved great success, becoming an inspiration for aspiring athletes with disabilities.
16. Shekar Naik
- Background: Shekar Naik is an Indian blind cricketer and former captain of the Indian blind cricket team.
- Disability: He was born blind.
- Achievements: Under Naik’s captaincy, the Indian blind cricket team won the T20 Blind Cricket World Cup in 2012 and the ODI Blind Cricket World Cup in 2014. He has been honored with several awards, including the Padma Shri in 2017.
- Success: Despite his blindness, Naik has excelled in cricket, leading his team to victory in international tournaments and becoming a role model for aspiring athletes with disabilities.
17. H Ramakrishnan
- Background: H Ramakrishnan is an Indian journalist, writer, and motivational speaker.
- Disability: He contracted polio at the age of two, which resulted in paralysis of his legs.
- Achievements: Ramakrishnan has had a distinguished career in journalism, working with leading Indian newspapers and television channels. He is also the founder of the charitable organization “Ektha” that works for the welfare of differently-abled individuals.
- Success: Despite his disability, Ramakrishnan has made significant contributions to journalism and social work, inspiring many with his dedication and achievements.
18. Preethi Srinivasan
- Background: Preethi Srinivasan is a former Indian cricketer and swimmer, and a disability rights activist.
- Disability: She became quadriplegic after a swimming accident at the age of 18.
- Achievements: Srinivasan was the captain of the Tamil Nadu women’s cricket team and an accomplished swimmer before her accident. After her injury, she founded “Soulfree,” an organization that supports individuals with spinal cord injuries.
- Success: Despite her quadriplegia, Srinivasan has continued to inspire others through her activism and advocacy, helping many individuals with spinal cord injuries lead fulfilling lives.
19. Esther Vergeer
- Background: Esther Vergeer is a retired Dutch wheelchair tennis player.
- Disability: She became paraplegic at the age of eight due to a surgery complication.
- Achievements: Vergeer is considered one of the greatest wheelchair tennis players of all time, having won 48 Grand Slam titles, 23 year-end championships, and 7 Paralympic gold medals. She was ranked world No. 1 in wheelchair tennis for 14 years.
- Success: Despite her paraplegia, Vergeer dominated wheelchair tennis for over a decade, retiring with an unparalleled record and inspiring countless athletes around the world.
Also, read: Top 10 Richest Actors in India 2024
Source: CDC