Since maiming myself in October I’ve been sat on my ar$e at home wondering about disabled role models, and how few there are in the public eye… This evening I had a rare opportunity to watch The Simpsons, and there was a very,very early episode on Sky 1. It featured a person, who like me has lost a right arm (apparently from waving his arm out of the school bus window :rolleyes:) . He’s now a new hero to me, and I may change my Avatar to him…
That character is soooo coool.
David Blunket… Maybe not
How about Ade Adepitan, Adepitan is one of Britain’s most familiar Paralympians due in part to his work as a BBC television presenter (and was in the old ident). He is best known however for his performances for Britain, for whom he won more than 90 caps.
Johnse1 - you are our disabled role model!
PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEE don’t change your avatar… it will be like your not there anymore :crying:
Oh, and I’ve thought of one…what about the lovely Heather Mills McCartney 
You can’t go wrong with Douglas Bader!
But yes, your avatar is the bestest one ever!
depends wether you’re talking about physical disability or mental disability or disability through illness or of course all of the above.
Lord Nelson only had one arm and one eye
Christopher Reeve
Beethoven was deaf
Micheal J fox has Parkinsons
Albert Einstien had OCD and dyslexia
The of course we have all the Paralympic athletes who excel at their chosen sport.
being disabled is nothing more than learning to live with your attributes as they are rather than as they could have been, have been or may be…I am sure most disabled people would agree with me that they have to get on with their lives…no point sitting in the corner and crying over spilt milk so to speak…
I can say with the utmost honesty that losing the use of my arm whilst a real irritation at times is just another challenge in life…It has changed my life but so too did getting divorced, and running my own business etc etc…
We disabled people have a few more problems in life to put up with but they become second nature after a while… after 5 weeks I was left on my own, three kids and a business to run…I would love to have the pain gone, the breathing working and my arm back in use but even if they never do work again life will go on and continue to have its rewards with or without those things…it will just be different to the past…
Douglas bader, just reading his book now…great man…shame about christopher reed, and nelson was pure dan dare stuff…but dont forget all of our disabled in the UK…including those fighting for this country and receiving a pittance in return for giving part of their body…there are many stories to tell I am sure…
Don’t forget our athletes. Look at Oscar Pretorius(sp)(I know he’s not a Brit;)), Tammy Grey-Thompson and Elenor Simmonds
These guys are a true inspiration;)
My disabled hero is my oldest brother. Quadraplegic, wheelchair bound and still does the job of managing 30,000 vehicles as a Transport/Maintenance Manager. Can just hear an engine to diagnose the issue with it. He gets on with life as best as can. Bloody brilliant.
good one makman…you have to admire them all…
Much of the time people with disabilities still seem to be portrayed in a way that elicits sympathy or curiosity, rather than respect. Or people tiptoe around and make a big issue out of the person’s impairment with an ‘aren’t you brave’ kind of attitude.
This picture is of a sports match in Kabul, taken when the weather was better. I like it because the focus is on the person’s ability to play sports, not on their disability.
+1
