overcoming disability essay

When someone hears the term disability , it tends to paint a picture in their mind. They might think of someone in a wheelchair, someone with a speech impediment, or an elderly family member that has lost some of their mobility over the years.

But disability is a broad term that includes a wide variety of conditions that affect people from all walks of life.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 61 million adults are living with a disability in the United States. That’s more than one in four adults in the entire country.

Their functional disabilities could be one or more of the following:

• Mobility – Severe challenges with movement, like walking or climbing stairs
• Cognition – Challenges with decision making, memory, concentration, and comprehension
• Independent living – difficulty with running errands like shopping, doctor’s visits, etc.
• Hearing – Trouble hearing or deafness
• Vision – Blindness of serious difficulty with reading or seeing objects near/far
• Self-care – Difficulties with activities of daily living like grooming, household chores, etc.
• Spinal cord/head injuries – Lasting physical and mental difficulties from a severe TBI/spinal cord injury
• Neurological disorders – Conditions like Multiple Sclerosis or other neurological disorders can cause disability

People living with disabilities tend to face challenges beyond the disability itself. They are more likely to suffer from other conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

And they’re also more likely to have unmet healthcare needs due to cost or lack of access to healthcare providers and routine check-ups.

But if you’re currently living with a disability, there are reasons to be optimistic.

Although it is never easy to get used to life with a disability, there are resources and tools available to you to help you accept your new reality, and live a life full of purpose.

In this article, we’ll talk about how you can retake control of your life, as well as point you to some resources that might help you overcome your disability.

How can you overcome your disability?

Everyone’s disability is different. So, there isn’t one formula for overcoming a disability that will work for all.

But let’s look at some of the things you can do that are within your control. If you’re caring for a loved one with a disability, you can try to help them implement the following suggestions as well.

A shift in your mindset about the disability

You may have heard the saying that one can only control his/her thoughts and actions. While it may sound a bit cliche, it is true when it comes to how you go about overcoming your disability.

The first thing you need to do is to shift your mindset. You may also need to modify how you define overcoming the disability.

Overcoming does not necessarily have to mean that you get rid of your disability completely.

Of course, if that is an option for you, then you should make that your goal. For example, if you have a temporary disability after an accident that you can overcome through therapy and exercise over time.

But in other cases, your disability might be something that you’ll have to accept and learn to live with.

In such cases, overcoming may mean that you come to terms with your disability and that you do everything you can to live life in the fullest within your present set of circumstances.

Is disability a hindrance to success?

You don’t have to let disability hold you back from success. But in certain situations, depending on your disability and how you’ve defined success until now, you may have to adapt your goals.

But that being said, there are many examples of famous people who have gone on to accomplish great things despite their disabilities.

Stephen Hawking, a world-renowned theoretical physicist, was diagnosed with ALS, a devastating neurological condition, soon after he turned 21.

Michael J. Fox, the famous actor who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s back in 1991, has focused his efforts on finding a cure for the disease ever since.

And we all know the story of FDR, who had lost the use of his legs to Polio, but he didn’t let that stop him from becoming the longest-serving President in U.S. history.

Of course, you may have no desire to run for President. But the point is, you can still be a valuable member of your community regardless of your disability.

No matter what, the most important thing to remember is that you still have a purpose, you can always be of value to others, and you can continue to grow and evolve regardless of your disability.

Now, that may be easier said than done. And in the following sections, we’ll list some of the tools and resources you can use to start overcoming or thriving as you live with your disability.

Coming to terms with your disability

Coming to terms with your disability can be one of the most critical steps in your journey of overcoming it.

You must remember that accepting your disability is in no way surrendering to it. You’re not giving up by coming to terms with it.

Instead, when you take an objective look at your situation and evaluate what your current limitations are, you become free to make the necessary adjustments and move forward towards your new goals.

You should also let your feelings run its course instead of trying to fake positivity. If you’re feeling angry and frustrated, recognize that it is a part of the process, and allow it to happen. Just trust the process and know that with time, things will get smoother, and you’ll begin to settle into your new routine.

Here are some things to consider that may help you come to terms with your disability.

Talk to a mental health professional

Coming to terms with your disability can be hard to do on your own. Having the help of an experienced mental health professional can make a world of difference.

And seeking out help is not a sign of weakness. Its a sign that you’re taking your journey of overcoming disability seriously and that you’re willing to put in the necessary work.

There are several benefits when it comes to working with a therapist. They can help you process your feelings, work through your grief, come to terms with your disability, and, most importantly, help you craft a plan to move forward in a productive direction.

Not to mention, people living with a disability might be more prone to mental disorders like anxiety and depression. Working with a professional can also protect you against any potential mental health issues.

Try prayer/meditation

Depending on your spiritual beliefs, a prayer or a meditation practice can help you find calmness and acceptance when things seem uncertain.

Check with your local community center, church, mosque, or synagogue, to see if they schedule any prayer or meditation sessions during the week.

Join a disability support group

Connecting with others who are going through similar challenges is one of the best ways to overcome your disability, as well as counter any feelings that you’re alone in this fight.

People in the group can share their challenges, their solutions, as well as emotional support with each other. Having a group of people who can all mutually benefit from each other’s experiences is one of the most significant assets you can have in your journey to overcome and thrive in disability.

Talk to your friends and family

When it comes to seeking help, it doesn’t always have to be from professional or community sources. It can be as simple as talking to your friends and loved ones.

When you let your family members know what you’re going through, how you are thinking your way through the entire process, and how you plan on moving forward, they can offer their own insights or even find ways to be of help.

Or, you can simply have a chat with them about anything you want as long as it is fun and it helps you relax.

How do you live with a physical disability?

As you adjust to living with your disability, let’s take a look at some things you can do to make sure that you’re operating at an optimal level, both physically and mentally.

Check to see if you qualify for CDPAP

The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) is a program funded by New York State Medicaid. If eligible, CDPAP allows you to recruit, hire, and train your own home care provider.

You can even hire your friends and family members, except your spouse. Your care provider can provide assistance with activities of daily living that you might need help with because of your disability.

They can help you with tasks like dressing, grooming, meal preparation, housework, transportation, arranging medical care, and more. They can also help you with your finances and get set up with technology if you want to work from home.

One of the great things about CDPAP is that you can train your care provider yourself so that you can communicate your needs and preferences during that process.

To be eligible for CDPAP, you need to meet the following criteria:

• You need to have Medicaid
• You must require home care for help with daily activities
• You must be able to self-direct and train your caregiver on your needs/preferences.

With CDPAP, your caregiver can perform tasks that would typically be done by a nurse, assuming he or she is qualified, of course. For example, your caregiver can administer skilled services such as wound care and giving insulin shots.

For more details and information on how to apply, check out our in-depth guide on CDPAP .

Use the resources that are available to you

You should use whatever tools and adaptive technologies that are available to you to improve your quality of life. Whether it’s a cane, a wheelchair, or any other device, as long as it makes your life easier, you should use it.

In the meantime, depending on your disability, you can also work with a physical therapist to regain some of your mobility over time.

But remember that it might take some time and patience. You shouldn’t get discouraged if you suffer temporary setbacks. Set realistic goals for yourself and keep working consistently to make progress.

Get involved in your community

One of the most difficult aspects of a disability is that it can chip away at your sense of purpose. Especially if it means you can’t go to work as you did before, or take part in the activities that you love and enjoy.

While it is always going to be challenging to adjust to the new reality, you can stay engaged with the community through volunteer opportunities in your area.

You can help causes that you’re passionate about, and also enjoy the sense of fulfillment that comes with donating your time and effort. If you can’t physically go and volunteer somewhere, there are often opportunities to help out remotely from your home.

And if you don’t want to volunteer somewhere, consider helping out a family member or a neighbor. You can offer to tutor your grandkids or children in your neighborhood. Or, you can offer to watch someone’s dog while they’re away at work or holiday.

No matter what you do, giving back to your community will go a long way in helping you feel like a valuable member of society, which is a critical aspect of overcoming disability.

Make your health a priority

Now is not the time to give up on your health. Instead, you should do everything you can to take care of both your physical and emotional health. That means getting as much exercise as possible, eating a healthy diet , getting adequate restorative sleep, and managing stress.

Exercise is critical not only for your physical health, but also for mental health. It’ll strengthen both your body and your mind.

If you have the ability to work with a trainer or a physical therapist, they can recommend exercises that would be best suited for you based on your disability. Otherwise, check with your local senior center to see if they offer exercise classes for seniors or those with limited mobility.

Remember, you don’t have to compare your exercise abilities with others, or even your previous self. It’s about what you can do now, and how you can make small, consistent improvements over time to continue improving your health and fitness.

Besides exercise, it is also critical that you support your body with a healthy diet. Try to incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats like olive oil and avocado, as well as high-quality protein like fish, chicken breast, eggs, or chickpeas.

Adequate exercise and a healthy diet will promote restful sleep and reduce stress, making sure you live an overall healthy lifestyle as you continue your journey to overcome your disability.

How can a disabled person be happy?

Although it may not seem like it, especially in the beginning, you can definitely live a happy and fulfilling life despite your disability.

People have different definitions of happiness, but often, it comes down to what you focus on.

If you’re always focused on your disability and how your life used to be in the past, and all the things you’ve lost, then it is going to be challenging to live a happy life.

Of course, there’s going to be times when you might feel angry and frustrated, which is normal.

But then, you have to move past your negative thoughts and focus on the things that you’re grateful for. You have to focus on the things you can look forward to something you want to accomplish.

As we suggested before, try to connect with others who have gone through (or currently going through) similar struggles. You can learn from their successes and use their lessons to live a happy life regardless of your physical disability.

Final thoughts on overcoming disability

Overcoming disability and living a happy and fulfilled life may seem like an impossible task. But know that many other people have done it before you and you can do it as well.

You need to trust the process and be patient. Use all the resources and tools that are available to make the journey easier for yourself.

If you need a wheelchair, use one without hesitation. If you need to speak to a therapist, ask your family and friends for a recommendation. If you want to join your local community center, give them a call to check for their next event.

Focus on the good things in your life, like your family and friends, and the future that you’re still able to create for yourself and your family.

And finally, remember that if you’re resident in New York, you might be eligible for CDPAP to hire a care provider to help you with your daily activities, so you can focus on healing, overcoming, and thriving as you learn to live with your disability.

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Book Reviews

In 2 essay collections, writers with disabilities tell their own stories.

Ilana Masad

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More than 1 in 5 people living in the U.S. has a disability, making it the largest minority group in the country.

Despite the civil rights law that makes it illegal to discriminate against a person based on disability status — Americans with Disabilities Act passed in 1990 — only 40 percent of disabled adults in what the Brookings Institute calls "prime working age," that is 25-54, are employed. That percentage is almost doubled for non-disabled adults of the same age. But even beyond the workforce — which tends to be the prime category according to which we define useful citizenship in the U.S. — the fact is that people with disabilities (or who are disabled — the language is, for some, interchangeable, while others have strong rhetorical and political preferences), experience a whole host of societal stigmas that range from pity to disbelief to mockery to infantilization to fetishization to forced sterilization and more.

But disabled people have always existed, and in two recent essay anthologies, writers with disabilities prove that it is the reactions, attitudes, and systems of our society which are harmful, far more than anything their own bodies throw at them.

About Us: Essays from the Disability Series of the New York Times, edited by Peter Catapano and Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, collects around 60 essays from the column, which began in 2016, and divides them into eight self-explanatory sections: Justice, Belonging, Working, Navigating, Coping, Love, Family, and Joy. The title, which comes from the 1990s disability rights activist slogan "Nothing about us without us," explains the book's purpose: to give those with disabilities the platform and space to write about their own experiences rather than be written about.

While uniformly brief, the essays vary widely in terms of tone and topic. Some pieces examine particular historical horrors in which disability was equated with inhumanity, like the "The Nazis' First Victims Were the Disabled" by Kenny Fries (the title says it all) or "Where All Bodies Are Exquisite" by Riva Lehrer, in which Lehrer, who was born with spina bifida in 1958, "just as surgeons found a way to close the spina bifida lesion," visits the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia. There, she writes:

"I am confronted with a large case full of specimen jars. Each jar contains a late-term fetus, and all of the fetuses have the same disability: Their spinal column failed to fuse all the way around their spinal cord, leaving holes (called lesions) in their spine. [...] I stand in front of these tiny humans and try not to pass out. I have never seen what I looked like on the day I was born."

Later, she adds, "I could easily have ended up as a teaching specimen in a jar. But luck gave me a surgeon."

Other essays express the joys to be found in experiences unfamiliar to non-disabled people, such as the pair of essays by Molly McCully Brown and Susannah Nevison in which the two writers and friends describe the comfort and intimacy between them because of shared — if different — experiences; Brown writes at the end of her piece:

"We're talking about our bodies, and then not about our bodies, about her dog, and my classes, and the zip line we'd like to string between us [... a]nd then we're talking about our bodies again, that sense of being both separate and not separate from the skin we're in. And it hits me all at once that none of this is in translation, none of this is explaining. "

From the cover of Resistance and Hope: Essays by Disabled People, edited by Alice Wong Disability Visibility Project hide caption

From the cover of Resistance and Hope: Essays by Disabled People, edited by Alice Wong

While there's something of value in each of these essays, partially because they don't toe to a single party line but rather explore the nuances of various disabilities, there's an unfortunate dearth of writers with intellectual disabilities in this collection. I also noticed that certain sections focused more on people who've acquired a disability during their lifetime and thus went through a process of mourning, coming to terms with, or overcoming their new conditions. While it's true — and emphasized more than once — that many of us, as we age, will become disabled, the process of normalization must begin far earlier if we're to become a society that doesn't discriminate against or segregate people with disabilities.

One of the contributors to About Us, disability activist and writer Alice Wong, edited and published another anthology just last year, Resistance and Hope: Essays by Disabled People , through the Disability Visibility Project which publishes and supports disability media and is partnered with StoryCorps. The e-book, which is available in various accessible formats, features 17 physically and/or intellectually disabled writers considering the ways in which resistance and hope intersect. And they do — and must, many of these writers argue — intersect, for without a hope for a better future, there would be no point to such resistance. Attorney and disability justice activist Shain M. Neumeir writes:

"Those us who've chosen a life of advocacy and activism aren't hiding from the world in a bubble as the alt-right and many others accuse us of doing. Anything but. Instead, we've chosen to go back into the fires that forged us, again and again, to pull the rest of us out, and to eventually put the fires out altogether."

You don't go back into a burning building unless you hope to find someone inside that is still alive.

The anthology covers a range of topics: There are clear and necessary explainers — like disability justice advocate and organizer Lydia X. Z. Brown's "Rebel — Don't Be Palatable: Resisting Co-optation and Fighting for the World We Want" — about what disability justice means, how we work towards it, and where such movements must resist both the pressures of systemic attacks (such as the threatened cuts to coverage expanded by the Affordable Care Act) and internal gatekeeping and horizontal oppression (such as a community member being silenced due to an unpopular or uninformed opinion). There are essays that involve the work of teaching towards a better future, such as community lawyer Talila A. Lewis's "the birth of resistance: courageous dreams, powerful nobodies & revolutionary madness" which opens with a creative classroom writing prompt: "The year is 2050. There are no prisons. What does justice look like?" And there are, too, personal meditations on what resistance looks like for people who don't always have the mobility or ability to march in the streets or confront their lawmakers in person, as Ojibwe writer Mari Kurisato explains:

"My resistance comes from who I am as a Native and as an LGBTQIA woman. Instinctively, the first step is reaching out and making connections across social media and MMO [massively multiplayer online] games, the only places where my social anxiety lets me interact with people on any meaningful level."

The authors of these essays mostly have a clear activist bent, and are working, lauded, active people; they are gracious, vivid parts of society. Editor Alice Wong demonstrates her own commitments in the diversity of these writers' lived experiences: they are people of color and Native folk, they encompass the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, they come from different class backgrounds, and their disabilities range widely. They are also incredibly hopeful: Their commitment to disability justice comes despite many being multiply marginalized. Artist and poet Noemi Martinez, who is queer, chronically ill, and a first generation American, writes that "Not all communities are behind me and my varied identities, but I defend, fight, and work for the rights of the members of all my communities." It cannot be easy to fight for those who oppress parts of you, and yet this is part of Martinez's commitment.

While people with disabilities have long been subjected to serve as "inspirations" for the non-disabled, this anthology's purpose is not to succumb to this gaze, even though its authors' drive, creativity, and true commitment to justice and reform is apparent. Instead, these essays are meant to spur disabled and non-disabled people alike into action, to remind us that even if we can't see the end result, it is the fight for equality and better conditions for us all that is worth it. As activist and MFA student Aleksei Valentin writes:

"Inspiration doesn't come first. Even hope doesn't come first. Action comes first. As we act, as we speak, as we resist, we find our inspiration, our hope, that which helps us inspire others and keep moving forward, no matter the setbacks and no matter the defeats."

Ilana Masad is an Israeli American fiction writer, critic and founder/host of the podcast The Other Stories . Her debut novel, All My Mother's Lovers, is forthcoming from Dutton in 2020.

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Making the adjustment

Learn to accept your disability.

• Find ways to minimize your disability's impact on your life

Ask for (and accept) help and support

Find things to do that give you meaning and purpose, make your health a top priority, living well with a disability.

Adapting to life with a disability is never easy, but there are ways to help yourself cope with limitations, overcome challenges, and build a rewarding life.

Adjusting to life with a disability can be a difficult transition. We all tend to take our health for granted—until it’s gone. Then, it’s all too easy to obsess over what we’ve lost. But while you can’t go back in time to a healthier you or wish away your limitations, you can change the way you think about and cope with your disability. You are still in control of your life and there are many ways to improve your independence, sense of empowerment, and outlook. No matter your disability, it’s entirely possible to overcome the challenges you face and enjoy a full—and fulfilling—life.

Most of us expect to live long, healthy lives. So, when you’re hit by a disabling illness or injury, it can trigger a range of unsettling emotions and fears. You may wonder how you’ll be able to work, find or keep a relationship, or even be happy again. But while living with a disability isn’t easy, it doesn’t have to be a tragedy. And you are not alone. Millions of people have traveled this road before you (the CDC estimates that 1 in 4 Americans lives with a disability) and found ways to not just survive, but thrive. You can, too.

It can be incredibly difficult to accept your disability. Acceptance can feel like giving in—throwing in the towel on life and your future. But refusing to accept the reality of your limitations keeps you stuck. It prevents you from moving forward, making the changes you need to make, and finding new goals.

Give yourself time to mourn

Before you can accept your disability, you first need to grieve . You’ve suffered a major loss. Not just the loss of your healthy, unlimited body, but likely the loss of at least some of your plans for the future.

Don’t try to ignore or suppress your feelings. It’s only human to want to avoid pain, but just like you won’t get over an injury by ignoring it, you can’t work through grief without allowing yourself to feel it and actively deal with it. Allow yourself to fully experience your feelings without judgement.

You’re likely to go through a roller coaster of emotions —from anger and sadness to disbelief. This is perfectly normal. And like a roller coaster, the experience is unpredictable and full of ups and downs. Just trust that with time, the lows will become less intense and you will begin to find your new normal.

You don’t have to put on a happy face. Learning to live with a disability isn’t easy. Having bad days doesn’t mean you’re not brave or strong. And pretending you’re okay when you’re not doesn’t help anyone—least of all your family and friends. Let the people you trust know how you’re really feeling. It will help both them and you.

Coming to terms with your new reality

It’s healthy to grieve the life you’ve lost, but it’s not healthy to continue looking back and wishing for a return to your pre-disability “normal.” As tough as it is, it’s important to let go of the past and accept where you are.

• You can be happy, even in a “broken” body. It may not seem like it now, but the truth is that you can build a happy, meaningful life for yourself, even if you’re never able to walk, hear , or see like you used to. It may help to search out inspiring stories of people with disabilities who are thriving and living lives they love. You can learn from others who have gone before you, and their successes can help you stay motivated during tough times .
• Don’t dwell on what you can no longer do. Spending lots of time thinking about the things your disability has taken from you is a surefire recipe for depression . Mourn the losses, then move on. Focus on what you can do and what you hope to do in the future. This gives you something to look forward to.
• Learn as much as possible about your disability. While obsessing over negative medical information is counterproductive, it’s important to understand what you’re facing. What’s your diagnosis? What is the typical progression or common complications? Knowing what’s going on with your body and what to expect will help you prepare yourself and adjust more quickly.

Find ways to minimize your disability’s impact on your life

It goes without saying that your disability has already changed your life in big ways. It doesn’t help to live in denial about that. You’ve got limitations that make things more difficult. But with commitment, creativity, and a willingness to do things differently, you can reduce the impact your disability has on your life.

Be your own advocate. You are your own best advocate as you negotiate the challenges of life with a disability, including at work and in the healthcare system. Knowledge is power, so educate yourself about your rights and the resources available to you. As you take charge, you’ll also start to feel less helpless and more empowered.

[Read: Disability at Work]

Take advantage of the things you can do. While you may not be able to change your disability, you can reduce its impact on your daily life by seeking out and embracing whatever adaptive technologies and tools are available. If you need a device such as a prosthetic, a white cane, or a wheelchair to make your life easier, then use it. Try to let go of any embarrassment or fear of stigma. You are not defined by the aids you use.

Set realistic goals—and be patient. A disability forces you to learn new skills and strategies. You may also have to relearn simple things you used to take for granted. It can be a frustrating process, and it’s only natural to want to rush things and get back to functioning as quickly as possible. But it’s important to stay realistic. Setting overly aggressive goals can actually lead to setbacks and discouragement. Be patient with yourself. Every small step forward counts. Eventually, you’ll get there.

Speak to a Licensed Therapist

BetterHelp is an online therapy service that matches you to licensed, accredited therapists who can help with depression, anxiety, relationships, and more. Take the assessment and get matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours.

When struggling with a disability, it’s easy to feel completely misunderstood and alone. You may be tempted to withdraw from others and isolate yourself. But staying connected to others will make a world of difference in your mood and outlook.

Tips for finding (and accepting) help and support

Nurture the important relationships in your life. Now, more than ever, staying connected is important. Spending time with family and friends will help you stay positive, healthy, and hopeful. Sometimes, you may need a shoulder to cry on or someone to vent to. But don’t discount the importance of setting aside your disability from time to time and simply having fun .

Joining a disability support group. One of the best ways to combat loneliness and isolation is to participate in a support group for people dealing with similar challenges. You’ll quickly realize you’re not alone. Just that realization goes a long way. You’ll also benefit from the collective wisdom of the group. Support groups are a great place to share struggles, solutions, and encouragement.

Accepting help doesn’t make you weak. Refusing to seek out needed assistance can delay your progress or make you worse, either physically or emotionally. Let go of the fear that asking for support will inspire pity. Allow the people who care about you to pitch in. Not only will you benefit, it will also make them feel better.

Consider talking to a mental health professional. Having someone to talk to about what you’re going through can make a huge difference. While loved ones can provide great support in this way, you may also want to consider talking to a therapist. The right therapist can help you process the changes you’re facing, work through your grief, and reframe your outlook in a more positive, realistic way.

A disability can take away many aspects of your identity, leaving you questioning who you are, what your value is, and where you fit in society. It’s easy to start feeling useless and empty, especially if you can’t do the same work or activities as you did before. That’s why it’s important to find new things that make you feel good about yourself—things that give you a renewed sense of meaning and purpose.

Volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to feel more productive and like you’re making a difference. And it’s something you can do even if you have limited mobility or can’t work. Pick a cause you’re passionate about and then figure out how you can get involved. There are numerous opportunities out there—many of which can even be done from home.

Develop new hobbies and activities that make you happy. A disability can make the activities you used to enjoy more difficult, or even impossible. But staying engaged will make a big difference in your mental health. Look for creative ways to participate differently in old favorites, or take this opportunity to develop new interests.

Find ways to give back to those who help you. When you’re disabled, you often must accept a lot of help from friends and family. While this is not a bad thing, it can still feel good when you find ways to reciprocate. For example, maybe you’re great with computers and can help a tech-challenged family member. Or maybe you’re a good listener your friends know they can count on when they need someone to talk to. Even things as small as a thank-you card or a genuine compliment count.

Take care of an animal. Caring for a pet is a great way to get outside of yourself and give you a sense of being needed. And while animals are no substitution for human connection, they can bring joy and companionship into your life and help you feel less isolated. If you aren’t able to have a pet, there are other ways to find animal companionship, including volunteering at your local animal shelter or veterinarian’s office.

In order to feel your best, it’s important to support and strengthen your health with regular exercise, a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, and effective stress management.

It’s important to get exercise in any way that you can. Not only is it good for your body— it’s essential for mental health . Regular exercise helps reduce anxiety and depression, relieve tension and stress, and improve sleep. And as you get more physically fit, you’ll also feel more confident and strong.

Start small and build from there. Don’t jump too quickly into a strenuous routine. You’re more likely to get injured or discouraged and discontinue. Instead, find ways to increase the amount of physical activity in your day in small, incremental steps.

Find creative ways to exercise. Instead of dwelling on the activities you can’t do, focus on finding those that are possible. Even if your mobility is limited , with a little creativity, you can find ways to exercise in most cases.

Listen to your body. Exercise should never hurt or make you feel lousy. Stop exercising immediately and call your doctor if you feel dizzy, short of breath, develop chest pain or pressure, break out in a cold sweat, or experience pain.

Don’t compare yourself to others (or to your past self). Avoid the trap of comparing your exercise efforts to those of others—even others with similar disabilities. And don’t discourage yourself by comparing where you are today to where you were pre-disability.

Eat well to optimize energy and vitality

Nutritious eating is important for everyone—and even more so when you’re battling physical limitations or health complications. Eating well will boost your energy and promote vitality so you can partake in the activities you want to and reach your goals. While eating healthy isn’t always easy when you’re struggling with a disability, even small changes can make a positive impact on your health.

Focus on how you feel after eating. You’ll start to notice that when you eat healthy, balanced meals, you feel more energetic and satisfied afterward. In contrast, when you opt for junk food or unhealthy options, you don’t feel as good. This awareness will help foster healthy new habits and tastes.

Get plenty of high-quality protein. Protein is essential to healing and immune system functioning. Focus on quality sources such as organic, grass-fed meat and dairy, fish, beans, nuts and seeds, tofu, and soy products.

Minimize sugar and refined carbs. You may crave sugary snacks, baked goods, or comfort foods such as pasta or French fries, but these “feel-good” foods quickly lead to a crash in mood and energy. Aim to cut out as much of these foods as possible.

Drink plenty of water. Your body performs best when it’s properly hydrated, yet many people don’t get the fluids they need. When you’re dehydrated, you simply don’t feel as good. Water also helps flush our systems of waste products and toxins.

Don’t underestimate the power of sleep

Quality sleep  is important for flushing out toxins and protecting your brain. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours. Establish a regular sleep schedule, create relaxing bedtime rituals such as taking a bath or doing some light stretches, and turn off all screens at least one hour before sleep.

Make stress management a priority

Stress is hard on the body and can make many symptoms worse, so it’s important to find ways to manage your stress, such as practicing relaxation techniques , carving out a healthy work-life balance, and learning healthier coping strategies.

More Information

• People with Disabilities - CDC resource with information on healthy living, safety, assistive technology, educational options, and more. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• How to Emotionally Cope with Having Disabilities - Packed with tips on how to cope with the difficulties that come with living with a disability, including dealing with insensitive comments, fighting stereotypes, and taking practical steps to make your life easier (wikiHow)
• CDC: 1 in 4 US adults live with a disability | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC . (n.d.). Retrieved February 5, 2022, from Link
• Chaput, J.-P., Dutil, C., & Sampasa-Kanyinga, H. (2018). Sleeping hours: What is the ideal number and how does age impact this? Nature and Science of Sleep , Volume 10, 421–430. Link
• Eating to boost energy—Harvard Health . (n.d.). Retrieved February 5, 2022, from Link
• Ratschen, E., Shoesmith, E., Shahab, L., Silva, K., Kale, D., Toner, P., Reeve, C., & Mills, D. S. (2020). Human-animal relationships and interactions during the Covid-19 lockdown phase in the UK: Investigating links with mental health and loneliness. PLOS ONE , 15(9), e0239397. Link
• Sharma, A., Madaan, V., & Petty, F. D. (2006). Exercise for Mental Health. The Primary Care Companion to The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry , 08(02), 106. Link
• Yeung, J. W. K., Zhang, Z., & Kim, T. Y. (2018). Volunteering and health benefits in general adults: Cumulative effects and forms. BMC Public Health , 18(1), 8. Link

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How Does Society Treat the Disabled People | Essay on Disability

Disability essay: introduction, disability in modern society, how does society treat the disabled person, disability essay: conclusion, works cited.

Disability is a mental or physical condition that restricts a person’s activities, senses or movements. Modern societies have recognized the problems faced by these individuals and passed laws that ease their interactions.

Some people, therefore, believe that life for the disabled has become quite bearable. These changes are not sufficient to eliminate the hurdles associated with their conditions.

The life of a person with a disability today is just as difficult as it was in the past because of the stigma in social relations as well as economic, mobility and motivational issues associated with such a condition.

A person with a disability would live a hard life today owing to the emotional issues associated with the condition. His or her identity would revolve around his or her disability rather than anything else that the person can do.

It does not matter whether the individuals is handsome or talented, like Tom Cruise. At the end of the day, he will always be a disabled man. This attitude obscures one’s accomplishments and may even discourage some people from accomplishing anything.

Other able-bodied individuals would always categorize such a person as a second-class citizen. It would take a lot of will power and resolve to get past these labels and merely lives one’s life. Opponents of this argument would claim that some great inventors of modern society are disabled.

A case in point was Dr. Stephen Hawkings, whose mathematical inventions led to several breakthroughs in the field of cosmology (Larsen 87). While such accomplishments exist, they do not represent the majority.

Persons like Hawkings have to work harder because they have their handicaps to cope with alongside their other scientific work. A disabled scientist is more diligent than a normal one because he has two forms of hurdles to tackle.

It is not common to find such immense willpower in the general population. Therefore, disability leads to a tough life owing to its emotional demands on its subjects.

How the Society Can Be Helpful to the Disabled People

Modern life has created several technologies designed to simplify movement. For instance, modern cities have stairs, trains, cars, doors and elevators to achieve this. However, these technologies are not easy to use for disabled people.

Many of them find that they cannot climb stairs, drive cars or even access trains without help from someone else. Therefore, while the rest of the world is enjoying the benefits of technology, a disabled person would still have to overcome these challenges in order to move from place to place.

Some opponents of this assertion would claim that the life of a disabled person today is unproblematic because a lot of devices have been developed to facilitate movement and other interactions. For instance, a person with amputated legs can buy artificial limbs or use a wheelchair.

However, some of the best assistive technologies for the disabled are quite expensive, and average citizens cannot afford them.

Many of them would have to contend with difficult -to-use devices like wheelchairs, which may not always fit into certain spaces. They would also have to exert themselves in order to use those regular devices.

Social relations are a serious challenge for disabled people today. A number of them live isolated lives or only interact with persons who have the same condition. Social stigma is still rife today even though progress has been made.

Friends would simply be unwilling to dedicate much of their free time to help this disabled person move. Additionally, finding a life partner or marrying someone would also be a laborious process because of the physical and psychological implications.

If one’s handicap is physical, and affects their kinetics, then they would not engage in sexual activity.

Alternatively, psychical deformities may be off putting as many individuals find them sexually unattractive. These social stigmas can impede a disabled person’s ability to enjoy normal relationships with others.

Economic hurdles are also another cause of unfulfilled lives amongst the disabled. Some jobs do not require an investment in one’s image, so these would be tenable for the disabled. However, a number of positions take into account one’s physical image.

These include television anchoring, sports, politics, and even sales jobs. The practical demands of these jobs, such as sales and sports, would not allow a disabled person to engage in them meaningfully.

Alternatively, the positions may also place too much emphasis on physical appearance to the point of making disabled persons unsuitable for them. While the latter might seem like discrimination, it is a given fact that the world is increasingly becoming superficial.

Companies only want to focus on what sells, so they have little time to be proactive or fair. In essence, these attitudes close the door t many opportunities for the disabled as they pigeonhole them into passive professions.

Modern societies have not eradicated the obstacles that persons with disabilities face. This is evident in their attitudinal inclinations as most of them reduce a disabled person’s identity to their inability rather than their accomplishments.

Difficulties in mobility and use of technology among the disabled also testify to their hardships. Social stigma concerning their physical attractiveness and demands in friendships also limit their social relationships.

Finally, their economic prospects are neutralized by their mobility challenges as well as their physical image. All these hurdles indicate that disability causes its victims to live painstaking lives.

Larsen, Kristine. Stephen Hawking: A biography . Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing, 2007. Print.

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IvyPanda. (2023, October 29). How Does Society Treat the Disabled People | Essay on Disability. https://ivypanda.com/essays/disability-in-modern-society/

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IvyPanda . 2023. "How Does Society Treat the Disabled People | Essay on Disability." October 29, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/disability-in-modern-society/.

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College Essay: Accepting a Disability

I had never thought about what it would mean to have a disability.  

Then in fourth grade I had my first seizure. I woke up to go to school and wandered into my parents’ room, not knowing what was happening. My parents and I were freaked out, but after a long day in the children’s hospital, the doctors and nurses said I was going to be fine. They said it would likely never happen again. Little did I know that would not be the case for me.    

Two years later, it did happen again. After a few more seizures, I met with a neurologist, was diagnosed with epilepsy and had a more in-depth brain scan. The results changed my life and changed my view of myself. I found out I was having more than 10 microseizures every minute, ranging from a couple of milliseconds to five seconds. It was as if my brain was covered in a thick haze, like smoky air from a distant wildfire. I had no idea what this would mean for my future and my daily life.  

Not long after, I started on medication. That’s when I knew this would be a lifelong struggle.  

I did not want to accept the fact that I now had a disability or that I was different from my classmates. All I wanted was for my brain to be “normal.”  

At one point, my mom had heard enough of my complaining and asked, “If you can’t accept yourself, how can you expect anyone else to accept you?” I was mad at first, then I realized this was exactly what I needed to hear. I was trying to hate a part of myself, and was expecting everyone else to accept and love that part with open arms. I needed to be easier on myself. 

“Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that,” Martin Luther King Jr. once said. I adored this quote and recited it to everyone I knew as a child. It came back to me as I struggled to accept my disability. I figured out what these words meant to me in this new era of my life. I had to stop hating a part of myself and learn to love it, especially since I could not change it. I needed to accept how I felt, so I could go back to living my life to the fullest.  

  It was hard, but I began to accept my situation and started to see some of the upsides of my epilepsy. A friend who knew about my emergency medication was always partnered with me on field trips in case I had a seizure. So I got to spend a lot of time with a very good friend. I had no peer pressure to do drugs. And I even got out of watching horror movies and visiting haunted houses because of the strobe lights. These benefits made me realize that although my life might be different, it had not changed as dramatically as I feared.    

As I accepted my disability, I saw my life in a new, brighter light: I was learning to move with the changes and not fight them. Being epileptic taught me the importance of accepting, even embracing challenges. And importantly, I learned to be more empathetic of others who are struggling with disabilities.  

Events that shape our lives bring the promise of growth.

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My Problem With College Admissions Essays as a Disabled Person

As a 20-year-old transfer student who spent a summer studying abroad, dragging out the old same elegized story of my life as a young person “robbed of a normal carefree youth” is a bit boring. I’m tired of hearing my story, too. The story isn’t untrue or unworthy of being heard; it’s just so often associated with the disabled community that it becomes the only story expected of me. The disabled community is the largest marginalized minority in the world. There are many narratives worthy of being told, but so often they are overlooked for the inspiration porn , instantly shareable Facebook headlines.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good overcoming adversity story. These stories are valid and so important. The essays I write for those college admissions boards, outside of how my disability affects my life, are not necessarily a Penguin Classics level work ready to be sent off to the closest corporate bookstore. The essay I try to write focuses more on my personal journey of self-discovery that genuinely starts out with “I’m a cliche” and goes on to wax poetic about the magic of soul searching. But when does the disabled community get to stop “overcoming adversity” and allow members to be known as individuals? My multiple sclerosis is an important part of my life, but as I’m sure many disabled kids who have applied to college can attest: it’s also the hardest to make sound not boring.

Personally, before I was diagnosed my life was a whole lot of sleeping all day, then vomiting if I ate anything. Really fun to relive as you beg a school for scholarship money, right? This is why I wholeheartedly believe college application essays are inherently ableist. I understand my privilege in this world as someone who was diagnosed later in her youth and was fortunate enough to have opportunities — like study abroad, or even being able to afford my medical care.

This is not what colleges want to hear about, though. Sure, maybe under the veil of how my disability affects such experiences and how I overcame it. (Spoiler: Sometimes I don’t; life for disabled people isn’t endless amounts of awe-inspiring obstacle climbing.) The personhood of any disabled person cannot be boiled down to one label. A disabled life is more than just one bad thing after another, so let me revel in the good once in a while.

Now, excuse me as I finish my Common App essay with this last line of lamenting my disabled experience. Hey, I still need that scholarship money.

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My journey to self-acceptance as disabled was full of realizations about what labels are and who gets to define them. I am disabled with a lot to say and not talented enough to join a punk band.

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Guest Blog: How to Effectively Write About a Disability in a College Essay

Diane Diamantis June 13, 2016 Blog Posts , Non-Profit

Today we are pleased to feature a guest blog by Shirag Shemmassian, Ph.D. We met Dr. Shemmassian at the 2016 national conference of the Tourette Association of America. His work as a consultant helping students with disabilities fits well with our goal of helping college students who have Tourette Syndrome. Here, he covers a topic that can benefit students with all types of disabilities. We hope you find it useful!

–Dollars 4 Tic Scholars

How to Effectively Write about a Disability in a College Essay

by Shirag Shemmassian, Ph.D.

Parents often ask me whether their student’s college admissions chances will be hurt if they discuss a disability in their college essay.

The answer is a resounding “No.” In fact, disclosing a disability in a college essay or elsewhere on a college application can help your student gain admission to their dream school .

Colleges aim to recruit a diverse student body, and disability is seen as one form of diversity. Disclosing a disability can provide admissions committee members with the proper context in which to evaluate your student’s academic and personal achievements.

Nevertheless, I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as a good or bad college essay topic, only strong or poor execution . Therefore, merely disclosing a disability won’t be enough to get your student into great colleges. They will have to go a step further and discuss specifically how their disability makes them them .

So, how can your student produce a standout essay about their disability? Following the dos and don’ts listed below will help your student avoid common mistakes and wow admissions committees the nation over.

• Don’t write a story with the intention to make the admissions committee feel bad for you. Do write a story that demonstrates your unique qualities and how you will be a good fit with a particular school.

Every time an admissions committee member reads a college essay, the question in the back of their mind is: “Will this applicant be a good fit at our school?” The best way for your student to demonstrate fit with a college is to tell a compelling story that conveys their positive traits, such as grit, resilience, and optimism. On the other hand, telling a story that exclusively highlights the challenges your student faced with their disability will unfortunately lead the reader to doubt whether they will be able to handle the rigors associated with college life.

• Don’t simply write about how you dealt with your disability. Do communicate how working through your disability has transformed you or helped you grow.

Your student’s disability, and the way they have dealt with it, have likely contributed significantly to their identity development. Admissions committees want to know how your student’s experiences with their disability has shaped them into the wonderful person they are today. For example, overcoming the teasing and self-advocating for my educational rights associated with my Tourette Syndrome diagnosis has helped me embrace the fact I am just as capable as anyone else and to help others do the same. How has your student been transformed positively because of their disability experiences?

• Don’t present yourself as someone who has overcome every issue related to your disability. Do present yourself as someone who makes the most of every difficult situation you face.

Your student’s disability may impact their friendships, schoolwork, and relationships with family members. And while your student is likely an incredibly resilient individual who has overcome multiple barriers at school, at home, and in the community, they inevitably continue to face challenges due to their disability or otherwise. Therefore, your student’s goal for their college essay should be to authentically discuss their responses to life’s challenges, regardless of whether or not they have figured everything out. I mean, which of us has?

Final Thoughts

Your student should not shy away from discussing their disability when completing their college applications. Doing so may help them present a side of themselves that is likely a major part of the person they uniquely are. Nevertheless, there are multiple fine lines your student must straddle when discussing their disability to come across as authentic and resilient, and to demonstrate fit with their dream schools.

Dr. Shemmassian channeled his passion for empowering families to found Shemmassian Academic Consulting , through which he helps students with disabilities get into America’s top colleges. His work has been featured on television, conferences, and various blogs and podcasts. You can receive Dr. Shemmassian’s top 10 college admissions secrets for free to help your student get into their dream school—without the stress—by clicking here .

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How to Write a College Essay When You Have Learning Differences

Should You Address Your Learning Difference in Your Common App Essay?

It’s a valid question! But in the end, the answer is probably not.

Your personal statement is your chance to speak to admissions officers in your own voice. It should focus on your strengths, background, or goals. We understand why writing about your learning difference might be important to you. But does it define you?

Try to brainstorm a few other ideas before you make your final decision. Is your learning difference the one thing that you want admissions to remember about you? What else drives, motivates, or inspires you? We bet you’ve got a secret skill or passion, too!

Maybe you will decide that your learning disability* is so important for admissions to know that you want to write 650 words about it. Then you have to make another decision…

Should You Write A Personal Statement or Additional Information Essay about Your Learning Difference?

If you want admissions officers to know about your learning disability, you don’t have to write about it in your personal statement. You can write an additional information essay instead. This is an optional essay that you can add to your Common App.

The additional information prompt reads: “Please provide an answer below if you wish to provide details of circumstances or qualifications not reflected in the application. You may enter up to 650 words.”

The additional information essay is the perfect space to explain personal difficulties like:

• learning differences
• low grades or test scores
• special accommodations like extra time on exams
• disciplinary issues

If your learning difference hasn’t had a negative effect on your life, we suggest skipping the additional information section.

If you choose to write an additional information essay, you won’t have to choose between writing about your learning disability* or a different topic. You can save your personal statement for a more unique topic. Maybe your knack for knitting sweaters for penguins , love for Papa John’s pizza , or deep knowledge of Costco !

What If You Really Want to Write Your Personal Statement about Your Learning Difference?

As we have said, you should only write your personal statement about your learning difference if you absolutely can’t think of another topic! But at the end of the day, it’s your choice.

If you decide to write about your learning difference, then the Common Application’s Prompt 2 is a great option to back your essay into.

That prompt reads: “The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?”

This prompt asks for a story about resilience, which is exactly how we think you should write about your learning difference.

How Should You Address Your Learning Difference in a College Essay?

If you decide to write about the learning disability* in your application (preferably the additional information section), you should tell a story of success. Write about a struggle you overcame.

You don’t want your essay to present you as a victim. You also don’t want admissions officers to question your ability to keep up with college-level work. So do not dwell on your struggles or setbacks. Instead, celebrate your solutions and achievements!

A few questions to think about as you write your essay:

• How do you make lemonade out of the lemons that life has given you?
• How has your learning disability* affected the way you understand the world?
• How has overcoming your challenge made your more confident or assertive?

Whatever you write about your dyslexia, ADD, or LPD, we would recommend getting a second opinion before you submit your application. Ask a trusted friend, family member, teacher, or essay expert for honest feedback. At the end of the day, it is most important to tell a story that shows who you really are!

*You might have noticed that we used the terms “learning difference” and “learning disability” interchangeably in this article. The reason we did so is because the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) doesn’t count learning differences or learning challenges as disabilities. In order to receive support, services, and equal access to employment, people need to be classified as having a Specific Learning Disability (SLD). More information on this here.

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Category: Admissions , advice , College Admissions , Essay Tips , Essay Writing , Tips , Topic Selection , Uncategorized

Tags: add , additional info , additional info essay , additional information , additional information essay , adhd , Admissions , admissions essay , admissions help , application , applications , applying to college , college admissions , college admissions essay , college applications , college essay , college essay advice , college essay advisors , college essay tips , common app essay , dyslexia , learning challenges , learning differences , learning disabilities , personal statement , writing about add , writing about dyslexia , writing about learning differences , writing about learning disabilities

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Disability as Inspiration

Disability as inspiration: can greater exposure overcome this phenomenon.

By Deborah Davis, PUSHLiving.com

I nspiration…a term often used when an able-bodied individual witnesses a person with a disability competing, or participating in, a challenging activity despite a physical impairment. "What's your excuse?" is a phrase that often accompanies what is designed as motivational images depicting these scenarios. Very popular Facebook and other social media image posts with extraordinarily high share numbers often follow this theme: "If they can do it, so can you!"

Photo Credit: Muir Digital Imaging

Advocates Reject Disability as Inspirational

Many disability advocates have expressed disdain for being viewed as "inspirational" in popular media and reject the premise that this emotion adds any positive value to their status. This often used description associated with able-bodied individuals' emotions in connection with accomplishments or just daily living of those with disabilities is seen by some in the community as separating, objectifying, condescending and regressive in terms of equality and inclusion.

A very good description of this point of view was reflected by late Aussie activist/comedian Stella Young: "I can't help but wonder whether the source of this strange assumption that living our lives takes some particular kind of courage in the news media, an incredibly powerful tool in shaping the way we think about disability. Most journalists seem utterly incapable of writing or talking about a person with a disability without using phrases like 'overcoming disability', 'brave', 'suffers from', 'defying the odds', 'wheelchair bound', or my personal favorite, 'inspirational'."

Normalizing Disability through Positive Images

Photo Credit: Jen Serena

It would appear to be an uphill battle to overcome this type of sentiment, which Stella and other notable advocates like Lawrence Carter Long and Scott Rains feel is derived from pity. Based on the sheer numbers of these types of comments, it would appear that the majority of public opinion feel the emotional response that accompanies the term "inspiration" intrinsically.

Normalizing disability via greater inclusion and repetition in advertising and media, may be the answer to the desire of those who want to be seen as equal but different, accomplished and talented—not "inspirations." Can imagery depicting real life scenarios play a role in getting the public to be more accepting and comfortable with those who they cannot personally relate to? Can this exposure help consumers to be less awestruck, fearful or nervous with those who are seen as different? Can lifestyle images of successful, happy and healthy individuals with varying disabilities in the role of Mom, Dad, Lover, Boss, Co-worker, and Friend help bridge this current divide of "us vs. them"?

While the market for disability images is still young, it is growing. There are few market leaders outside of the advocacy arena using images of people with a disability in a consistent manner. Guinness had one of the most impactful story lines featuring a disabled basketball team in its Super Bowl commercial.

While much of the disability community applauded the effort and exuberantly shared the ad in large numbers on social media, some, like Lawrence Carter-Long felt the ad was more about "Tokenism" than Inclusion. He stated, "In the context of 'dedication, loyalty, friendship' and ultimately 'character', wheelchair basketball in this ad is not positioned as fellowship or camaraderie, but rather as something much more paternalistic. The non-disabled guys get to feel good about themselves but, once again, the actual wheelchair user is placed in a supporting role. That's not an accommodation and isn't friendship either—it's tokenism."

Scott Rains Weighs in on Inspirational Porn

Photo Credit: Joshua Glover

"One of the strongest criticisms that we level at this kind of superficial praise is to call it 'inspiration porn'. Why? It titillates the viewer. There is a place for inspiration, but as a disabled person I am more interested in inspiring others with disabilities. We know how to recognize in each other when we are challenging ourselves and are successful. It's not hard to accept honest emotion for our resilience and our inventiveness in living our lives in the midst of undeniable social barriers. This emotion coming from those who are not our peers is very often not coming from a place that we can feel good about.

Ask yourself: Who do you overly praise and overly compliment? You do that to children. The implication is that our accomplishments are somehow heroic and need to be reinforced, that we are not naturally motivated from within, from an organic developmental impulse that we all share.

Excessive compliments, like patting us on the back and saying, 'Look at how brave you are' or 'How wonderful you are able to do this' are based on a negative feeling about us. The assumption is that we in fact carry a negative feeling about ourselves. It is their negative emotion, their aversion, being masked by the apparently positive sentiment.

While it may be common for those without a disability to feel this way, it does not mean it is a natural response or emotion. One is socially conditioned to feel that way. Compassion, or empathy, is a natural response but we have radar when it goes over the top. We can see through it when it becomes patronizing. Then it's a narcissistic parody of compassion. It's really aversion.

By over-complimenting us, one may think they are helping our mental health when in fact they are harming it. It makes me feel infantilized, angry and discounted, but stimulates my darker sense of humor as well. Sometimes veiled irony or biting humor is social strategies for subverting their assumed but incorrect assumptions about me."

Life Revolves Around Living, Not Around Disability

One strategy to overcome this is desensitization. By getting these images out there, we are desensitizing the non-disabled world to the normal lives of 'the disabled', making them a common place experience.

Photo Credit: Robert Mitchell

Many may find that their perception of people with disabilities is very different from what they imagined once they are exposed to real people, living real lives via images, as well and one on one experiences. A woman who recently had a roommate who was a wheelchair user due to paralysis stated, "I would say that I am inspired by a new consciousness, via the passing of knowledge, from this personal experience with my roommate. Before I thought people with disabilities lives revolved around their disability…when in actuality, it revolves around the same things that mine does…dating, working and going out. It revolves around living."

Perhaps in closing, we should consider another notable opinion on the issue from Actress, Storyteller and Coach Lyena Strelkoff, "If someone finds my life inspirational, good for them. We all need to be inspired. But calling me 'an inspiration' while not seeing that in yourself, your own life experience, all that you have done and overcome, is neither seeing me nor yourself correctly."

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Disability College Essays Samples For Students

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Do you feel the need to examine some previously written College Essays on Disability before you get down to writing an own piece? In this open-access catalog of Disability College Essay examples, you are granted a fascinating opportunity to explore meaningful topics, content structuring techniques, text flow, formatting styles, and other academically acclaimed writing practices. Using them while composing your own Disability College Essay will definitely allow you to finalize the piece faster.

Presenting the finest samples isn't the only way our free essays service can aid students in their writing endeavors – our authors can also create from point zero a fully customized College Essay on Disability that would make a strong foundation for your own academic work.

Free Essay On Human Rights

Introduction.

Since time immemorial, sensory disabled people especially have been in the background of society, and not being encouraged to follow whatever dreams they have because of the lack of concept about that dream. See, people with sensory disabilities want to live a normal life or be seen as normal, and not just some freak in a wheelchair or some last dating resort. This essay will discuss the importance of sensory disabled people’s abilities human rights, their needs and getting them met, their life plans and how they are capable of living like a normal person despite their disability.

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It is a way of teaching based on understanding that students have different rates and ways of learning, different interests, different ways of instruction reception and different ways of expressing what they learned. This ensures that the student maximizes on learning to meet educational goals and standards that apply to all students and eventually become successful learners. All special needs of individual students are effectively met. It makes learning engaging and relevant to all students.

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EMS stands for Emergency Medical Services. It’s a medical services, which are provided for people, who needs help in emergency situation. Different methods, which are used prior giving medical services: Incident recognition, access 911, dispatch, first Responder, basic life support, advanced life support, transport ground/air, emergency department facilities, specialty care, patient rehabilitation, prevention awareness, public education. This methods run in cycle order, each method has its own goals and objectives.

Describe the challenges of providing EMS services in the rural setting.

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People gather to listen to a speech expecting something in a topic immediately. People will give importance to what matters and is relevant to them. I chose to discuss discrimination in this paper. This affects almost everyone living in Canada and is there for a topic that matter to most people both natives and immigrants. Canadian system despite existence of provisions that protect immigrants from non-European countries, lesbians and non-Christian, the physically challenged are still seen to likely pose an excessive demand (Rudolph 231).

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The benefit policy will encompass a wide range of benefits, apart from the monthly salary that the company will provide to its workers or employees. The benefits accorded to the employees will include social security, unemployment insurance and compensation as stipulated by law (Lawson, 1998).

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Example of social inequalities according to race, ethnicity, health and disabilities essay.

Social inequality is not a new idea in our society and individuals as well as groups have been facing various kinds of discrimination, based on race, ethnicity, health, and disability. These are all society created taboos that hurt and affect the society in a negative manner. Dominating groups of the society label some groups or individuals as inferior and then start oppressing them on the basis of these categorizations. This paper intends to discuss the race, ethnicity, health and disability along with discussing these all with the perspective of social inequality in the society.

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The American Association of Intellectual and development disabilities defines intellectual disability or mental retardation as that form of disability that is characterized by significant limitations of both functional and intellectual behavior that is generally expressed in the social, adaptive and conceptual skills. It’s generally known to originate before the child reaches the age of 18 years.

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With the increased cases of behavioral, developmental and learning disabilities, it is very important for the parents, childcare providers and medical professional to understand clearly the causes and treatment of these disabilities in order to reduce their effects to those persons affected. This study analyses how developmental disabilities can be dealt with to reduce their effects.

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This paper summarizes a journal article by Scott Burris and Kathryn Moss based on the effects that the Americans with Disabilities Act has had on organizations and how this helps in understanding non-discrimination principle under employment law. Article Citation: Burris, S., & Moss, K. (2007). The employment discrimination provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act: Implementation and Impact. Hofstra Labor and Employment Law Journal, 25 (1), 1-32

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Communication: speech (pp.207-218).

4. Understanding Communication of Persons with Disabilities as Cultural Communication

4.1 (a) A person without disability does not actually ponder over which term to use: “disabled person” or a “person with disability” while these two terms sound differently for a person with disability. The problem is that healthy people see people with disabilities as dependent and helpless while people with disability perceive themselves as full members of a society having some health issues. Disability is just a difference for the people who have it but it is perceived as abnormality or deficiency by healthy people (Samovar, Porter and McDaniel, 2010).

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Disability and Health Stories from People Living with a Disability

• Nickole's Story
• Jerry's Story
• Justin's Story
• Suhana's Story

Real Stories from People living with a Disability

Nickole cheron’s story.

In 2008, a rare winter storm buried Portland, Oregon under more than a foot of snow. The city was gridlocked. Nickole Cheron was stuck in her home for eight days. Many people would consider that an inconvenience. For Nickole, whose muscles are too weak to support her body, those eight days were potentially life-threatening.

Born with spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease that progressively weakens the body’s muscles, Nickole is fully reliant on a wheelchair and full-time caregivers for most routine tasks. Being alone for eight days was not an option. So Nickole signed up for “ Ready Now! pdf icon [PDF – 4.8MB] external icon ,” an emergency preparedness training program developed through the Oregon Office of Disability and Health external icon .

“The most important thing I learned from ‘Ready Now!’ was to have a back-up plan in case of an emergency situation ,” she said. “When I heard the snow storm was coming, I emailed all my caregivers to find out who lived close by and would be available. I made sure I had a generator, batteries for my wheelchair, and at least a week’s supply of food, water and prescription medication.”

Nickole said the training was empowering, and reinforced her ability to live independently with a disability. She felt better informed about the potential risks people with disabilities could encounter during a disaster. For example, clinics might close, streets and sidewalks might be impassable, or caregivers might be unable to travel.

Among the tips Nickole learned from Oregon’s “Ready Now!” training are:

• Develop a back-up plan. Inform caregivers, friends, family, neighbors or others who might be able to help during an emergency.
• Stock up on food, water, and any necessary prescription medications, medical supplies or equipment. Have enough to last at least a week.
• Make a list of emergency contact information and keep it handy.
• Keep a charged car battery at home. It can power electric wheelchairs and other motorized medical equipment if there is an electricity outage.
• Learn about alternate transportation and routes.
• Understand the responsibilities and limitations of a “first responder” (for example, members of your local fire department of law enforcement office) during a disaster.

“This training shows people with disabilities that they can do more to triage their situation in a crisis than anyone else can,” she said. “‘Ready Now!’ encourages people with disabilities to take ownership of their own care.”

CDC would like to thank Nikole and the Oregon Office of Disability and Health external icon for sharing this personal story.

Learn about emergency preparedness for people with disabilities »

Jerry’s Story

Jerry is a 53 year old father of four children. He’s independent, has a house, raised a family and his adult kids still look to him for support. Jerry recently retired as a computer programmer in 2009, and competes and coaches in several sports. This “healthy, everyday Joe, living a normal life” has even participated in the Boston Marathon. Jerry also has had a disability for over 35 y ears. In 1976 on December 3 (the same day that International Persons with Disabilities Day is recognized) Jerry was hit by a drunk driver. The accident left him as a partial paraplegic.

Jerry’s life is not defined by his disability. He lives life just like anyone else without a disability would live their life. “There’s lots I can do, and there are some things that I can’t do,” said Jerry. “I drive, I invest money. I’m not rich, but I’m not poor. I enjoy being healthy, and being independent.”

As a person with a disability, however, Jerry has experienced many barriers. Recovering from recent rotator cuff surgery, his rehabilitation specialists “couldn’t see past his disability”, administering tests and delivering additional rehabilitation visits that a person without a disability wouldn’t receive. He once was being prepared for surgery when a nurse proclaimed “he doesn’t need an epidural, he’s a paraplegic.” Jerry had to inform the nurse that he was only a partial paraplegic and that he would indeed need an epidural.

Jerry was in line at an Alabama court house to renew his parking permit and also renew his son’s registration. He watched a worker walk down the line and ask people “what do you need?” When she got to Jerry and saw his wheelchair, he was asked “who are you here with?” And Jerry finds it difficult to go to concerts and baseball games with a large family or friends gathering, because rarely are handicap-accessible tickets available for more than two people.

Jerry has seen a lot in over 35 years as someone living with a disability. He’s seen many of the barriers and attitudes towards people with disabilities persist. But he’s also seen many positive changes to get people with disabilities physically active through recreational opportunities such as golf, fishing and even snow-skiing. There are now organizations such as Lakeshore Foundation external icon – where Jerry works part-time coaching youth basketball and track – that provide recreational opportunities.

Jerry states: “I don’t expect the world to revolve around us. I will adapt – just make it so I can adapt.”

Justin’s Story

Justin was first diagnosed with a disability in the form of ADD (attention deficit disorder, now known as ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) at the age of 5 years. The diagnosis resulted in his removal from a regular classroom environment to special education courses. Justin’s parents were informed by Justin’s educators that he probably wouldn’t graduate high school, much less college.

Years later, as a young adult, Justin developed Meniere disease (an inner ear disorder), which affected his hearing and balance. The onset of the disorder left Justin with the scary reality that he could permanently lose his hearing at any time. Justin recalled a former supervisor taking advantage of this knowledge with an inappropriate prank: While speaking in a one-on-one meeting, the sound from the supervisor’s mouth abruptly halted, while his lips continued to move. Justin thought he had gone deaf – until the supervisor started laughing – which Justin could hear. Behaviors like the above took its toll on Justin’s confidence – yet, he knew he could contribute in society.

Spurred in part by adversity, Justin went back to school, earned a business degree, and shortly after, entered the commercial marketing industry. However, despite his education and experience, Justin was still regularly subject to the same stigma. Many of Justin’s work experiences over the course of his career left him feeling ashamed, guilty, offended, and sometimes, even intimidated. Rather than instilling confidence, it left him demoralized – simply because he was differently abled.

In July of 2013, everything changed for Justin. He joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention working as a contractor in the Division of Human Development and Disability at the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. Justin’s colleagues put an emphasis on making him feel comfortable and respected as a member of a diverse and productive workforce. They welcomed Justin’s diversity, positively contributing to his overall health.

The mission of the Division of Human Development and Disability is to lead public health in preventing disease and promoting equity in health and development of children and adults with or at risk for disabilities. One in two adults with disabilities does not get enough aerobic physical activity 1 , and for Justin, regular physical activity is important to help him combat potentially lethal blood clots due to a genetic blood clotting disorder that he has. Every working hour, Justin walks for a few minutes, stretches, or uses his desk cycle. Justin also participates in walking meetings, which he believes leads to more creative and productive meetings.

Stories such as Justin’s are reminders that employment and health are connected. CDC is proud to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month every October. The awareness month aims to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities.

Suhana’s Story

Suhana has a sister, Shahrine, who is older by 18 months. While Shahrine’s mother was pregnant with Suhana, their uncle came to town for a visit. During the visit, their uncle was quick to notice that Shahrine did not seem to be talking at an age appropriate level or respond when called upon. Shahrine would also turn up the volume on the television and radio when others could hear it without difficulty. Shahrine’s parents thought that her speech development and behavior were normal for a toddler, but thanks to the uncle expressing his concerns, the family soon took action. A hearing test found that Shahrine was hard of hearing.

Due to Shahrine’s diagnosis, Suhana received a hearing screening at birth and was found to be hard of hearing, as well. Had it not been for the concerns raised by the children’s uncle, not only would Shahrine’s hearing loss have possibly gone on longer without being detected, but Suhana would most likely not have had a hearing screening at birth.

As a result of their early diagnoses, Suhana and Shahrine’s parents were able to gain the knowledge they needed to make sure both of their children could reach their full potential in life. They had access to early services from a team of physicians, speech therapists, counselors, and teachers.

Suhana credits her parents for her own successes, saying that she couldn’t have made it as far as she has without their support and patience. Today, Suhana is employed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an epidemiologist with the agency’s Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program. All children who are deaf or hard of hearing receive critical services they need as a result of the EHDI program, which funds the development of data systems and provides technical assistance to help improve screening, diagnosis and early intervention for these infants. When children who are deaf or hard of hearing receive services early, they are more likely to reach their full potential and live a healthy, productive adult life.

CDC is proud to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month every October. The goals of the awareness month are to educate the public about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital Signs. [updated 2014 May 6; cited 2014 October 10] Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/disabilities/

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, topics for essays about overcoming challenges.

Hi guys! I'm trying to choose a personal essay topic about overcoming a challenge or obstacle. What are some meaningful topics to write about, keeping in mind the college application reviewers?

Hello! Choosing a personal essay topic about overcoming a challenge or obstacle can be a great way to showcase your resilience and personal growth. Here are a few meaningful topics to consider for your college application essay:

1. Overcoming a learning disability or facing academic challenges: Describe how, with perseverance and resourcefulness, you were able to overcome a learning disability or overcome academic challenges (e.g., being in a low-performing school or struggling with a particular subject).

2. Coping with loss or tragedy: Share a personal story of facing a significant loss or tragedy, and how you found strength and learned to cope with the situation. Be cautious not to make it too dark or overbearing—you want to focus on the growth and optimism that emerged from the experience.

3. Dealing with personal or family illness: Explain how you or a family member's illness affected your life and how you adapted to the situation, taking on responsibilities and developing resilience.

4. Navigating a major life change: This could be a move to a new city or country, a change in family dynamics, or a shift in personal beliefs. Describe how you faced the changes, learned to adapt, and grew as a person.

5. Breaking down barriers: Discuss how you challenged societal norms, stereotypes, or expectations in pursuit of your passions or in support of others, and what you learned from the experience.

6. Overcoming cultural or language barriers: If you've faced language or cultural barriers, talk about how you have worked to bridge the gaps and how these experiences have shaped your perspective on the world.

7. Facing financial hardship: Share your experiences managing and overcoming financial challenges, such as maintaining a job throughout high school, budgeting for personal expenses, or supporting your family during a time of need.

To learn more about this essay type, read this blog post: https://blog.collegevine.com/overcoming-challenges-essay/

Remember that your essay should focus on your growth, resilience, and lessons learned in the face of adversity. Choose a topic that resonates with you personally and helps to showcase your character, values, and determination. Good luck!

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How to Write the “Overcoming Challenges” Essay + Examples

What’s covered:.

• What is the Overcoming Challenges Essay?
• Real Overcoming Challenges Essay Prompts
• How to Choose a Topic
• Writing Tips

Overcoming Challenges Essay Examples

• Where to Get Your Essay Edited

While any college essay can be intimidating, the Overcoming Challenges prompt often worries students the most. Those students who’ve been lucky enough not to experience trauma tend to assume they have nothing worth saying. On the other hand, students who’ve overcome larger obstacles may be hesitant to talk about them.

Regardless of your particular circumstances, there are steps you can take to make the essay writing process simpler. Here are our top tips for writing the overcoming challenges essay successfully.

What is the “Overcoming Challenges” Essay?

The overcoming challenges prompt shows up frequently in both main application essays (like the Common App) and supplemental essays. Because supplemental essays allow students to provide schools with additional information, applicants should be sure that the subject matter they choose to write about differs from what’s in their main essay.

Students often assume the overcoming challenges essay requires them to detail past traumas. While you can certainly write about an experience that’s had a profound effect on your life, it’s important to remember that colleges aren’t evaluating students based on the seriousness of the obstacle they overcame.

On the contrary, the goal of this essay is to show admissions officers that you have the intelligence and fortitude to handle any challenges that come your way. After all, college serves as an introduction to adult life, and schools want to know that the students they admit are up to the task. 

Real “Overcoming Challenges” Essay Prompts

To help you understand what the “Overcoming Challenges” essay looks like, here are a couple sample prompts.

Currently, the Common Application asks students to answer the following prompt in 650 words or less:

“The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?”

For the past several years, MIT has prompted students to write 200 to 250 words on the following:

“Tell us about the most significant challenge you’ve faced or something important that didn’t go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?”

In both cases, the prompts explicitly ask for your response to the challenge. The event itself isn’t as important as how it pushed you to grow.

How to Choose a Topic for an Essay on Overcoming Challenges

When it comes to finding the best topic for your overcoming challenges essays, there’s no right answer. The word “challenge” is ambiguous and could be used to reference a wide range of situations from prevailing over a bully to getting over your lifelong stage fright to appear in a school musical. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind when selecting an essay subject.

1. Avoid trivial or common topics

While there aren’t many hard-and-fast rules for choosing an essay topic, students should avoid overdone topics.

These include:

• Working hard in a challenging class
• Overcoming a sports injury
• Moving schools or immigrating to the US
• Tragedy (divorce, death, abuse)

Admissions officers have read numerous essays on the subject, so it’s harder for you to stand out (see our full list of cliché college essay topics to avoid ). If events like these were truly formative to you, you can still choose to write about them, but you’ll need to be as personal as possible. 

It’s also ideal if you have a less traditional storyline for a cliché topic; for example, if your sports injury led you to discover a new passion, that would be a more unique story than detailing how you overcame your injury and got back in the game.

Similarly, students may not want to write about an obstacle that admissions committees could perceive as low stakes, such as getting a B on a test, or getting into a small fight with a friend. The goal of this essay is to illustrate how you respond to adversity, so the topic you pick should’ve been at least impactful on your personal growth.

2. Pick challenges that demonstrate qualities you want to highlight

Students often mistakenly assume they need to have experienced exceptional circumstances like poverty, an abusive parent, or cancer to write a good essay. The truth is that the best topics will allow you to highlight specific personal qualities and share more about who you are. The essay should be less about the challenge itself, and more about how you responded to it.

Ask yourself what personality traits you want to emphasize, and see what’s missing in your application. Maybe you want to highlight your adaptability, for example, but that isn’t clearly expressed in your application. In this case, you might write about a challenge that put your adaptability to the test, or shaped you to become more adaptable.

Here are some examples of good topics we’ve seen over the years:

• Not having a coach for a sports team and becoming one yourself
• Helping a parent through a serious health issue
• Trying to get the school track dedicated to a coach
• Having to switch your Model UN position last-minute

Tips for Writing an Essay About Overcoming Challenges

Once you’ve selected a topic for your essays, it’s time to sit down and write. For best results, make sure your essay focuses on your efforts to tackle an obstacle rather than the problem itself. Additionally, you could avoid essay writing pitfalls by doing the following:

1. Choose an original essay structure

If you want your overcoming challenges essay to attract attention, aim to break away from more traditional structures. Most of these essays start by describing an unsuccessful attempt at a goal and then explain the steps the writer took to master the challenge. 

You can stand out by choosing a challenge you’re still working on overcoming, or focus on a mental or emotional challenge that spans multiple activities or events. For example, you might discuss your fear of public speaking and how that impacted your ability to coach your brother’s Little League team and run for Student Council. 

You can also choose a challenge that can be narrated in the moment, such as being put on the spot to teach a yoga class. These challenges can make particularly engaging essays, as you get to experience the writer’s thoughts and emotions as they unfold.

Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need to have succeeded in your goal for this essay. Maybe you ran for an election and lost, or maybe you proposed a measure to the school board that wasn’t passed. It’s still possible to write a strong essay about topics like these as long as you focus on your personal growth. In fact, these may make for even stronger essays since they are more unconventional topics.

2. Focus on the internal

When writing about past experiences, you may be tempted to spend too much time describing specific people and events. With an Overcoming Challenges essay though, the goal is to focus on your thoughts and feelings.

For example, rather than detail all the steps you took to become a better public speaker, use the majority of your essay to describe your mental state as you embarked on the journey to achieving your goals. Were you excited, scared, anxious, or hopeful? Don’t be afraid to let the reader in on your innermost emotions and thoughts during this process.

3. Share what you learned 

An Overcoming Challenges essay should leave the reader with a clear understanding of what you learned on your journey, be it physical, mental, or emotional. There’s no need to explicitly say “this experience taught me X,” but your essay should at least implicitly share any lessons you learned. This can be done through your actions and in-the-moment reflections. Remember that the goal is to show admissions committees why your experiences make you a great candidate for admission. 

Was I no longer the beloved daughter of nature, whisperer of trees? Knee-high rubber boots, camouflage, bug spray—I wore the g arb and perfume of a proud wild woman, yet there I was, hunched over the pathetic pile of stubborn sticks, utterly stumped, on the verge of tears. As a child, I had considered myself a kind of rustic princess, a cradler of spiders and centipedes, who was serenaded by mourning doves and chickadees, who could glide through tick-infested meadows and emerge Lyme-free. I knew the cracks of the earth like the scars on my own rough palms. Yet here I was, ten years later, incapable of performing the most fundamental outdoor task: I could not, for the life of me, start a fire. 

Furiously I rubbed the twigs together—rubbed and rubbed until shreds of skin flaked from my fingers. No smoke. The twigs were too young, too sticky-green; I tossed them away with a shower of curses, and began tearing through the underbrush in search of a more flammable collection. My efforts were fruitless. Livid, I bit a rejected twig, determined to prove that the forest had spurned me, offering only young, wet bones that would never burn. But the wood cracked like carrots between my teeth—old, brittle, and bitter. Roaring and nursing my aching palms, I retreated to the tent, where I sulked and awaited the jeers of my family. 

Rattling their empty worm cans and reeking of fat fish, my brother and cousins swaggered into the campsite. Immediately, they noticed the minor stick massacre by the fire pit and called to me, their deep voices already sharp with contempt. 

“Where’s the fire, Princess Clara?” they taunted. “Having some trouble?” They prodded me with the ends of the chewed branches and, with a few effortless scrapes of wood on rock, sparked a red and roaring flame. My face burned long after I left the fire pit. The camp stank of salmon and shame. 

In the tent, I pondered my failure. Was I so dainty? Was I that incapable? I thought of my hands, how calloused and capable they had been, how tender and smooth they had become. It had been years since I’d kneaded mud between my fingers; instead of scaling a white pine, I’d practiced scales on my piano, my hands softening into those of a musician—fleshy and sensitive. And I’d gotten glasses, having grown horrifically nearsighted; long nights of dim lighting and thick books had done this. I couldn’t remember the last time I had lain down on a hill, barefaced, and seen the stars without having to squint. Crawling along the edge of the tent, a spider confirmed my transformation—he disgusted me, and I felt an overwhelming urge to squash him. 

Yet, I realized I hadn’t really changed—I had only shifted perspective. I still eagerly explored new worlds, but through poems and prose rather than pastures and puddles. I’d grown to prefer the boom of a bass over that of a bullfrog, learned to coax a different kind of fire from wood, having developed a burn for writing rhymes and scrawling hypotheses. 

That night, I stayed up late with my journal and wrote about the spider I had decided not to kill. I had tolerated him just barely, only shrieking when he jumped—it helped to watch him decorate the corners of the tent with his delicate webs, knowing that he couldn’t start fires, either. When the night grew cold and the embers died, my words still smoked—my hands burned from all that scrawling—and even when I fell asleep, the ideas kept sparking—I was on fire, always on fire.

This essay is an excellent example because the writer turns an everyday challenge—starting a fire—into an exploration of her identity. The writer was once “a kind of rustic princess, a cradler of spiders and centipedes,” but has since traded her love of the outdoors for a love of music, writing, and reading. 

The story begins in media res , or in the middle of the action, allowing readers to feel as if we’re there with the writer. One of the essay’s biggest strengths is its use of imagery. We can easily visualize the writer’s childhood and the present day. For instance, she states that she “rubbed and rubbed [the twigs] until shreds of skin flaked from my fingers.”

The writing has an extremely literary quality, particularly with its wordplay. The writer reappropriates words and meanings, and even appeals to the senses: “My face burned long after I left the fire pit. The camp stank of salmon and shame.” She later uses a parallelism to cleverly juxtapose her changed interests: “instead of scaling a white pine, I’d practiced scales on my piano.”

One of the essay’s main areas of improvement is its overemphasis on the “story” and lack of emphasis on the reflection. The second to last paragraph about changing perspective is crucial to the essay, as it ties the anecdote to larger lessons in the writer’s life. She states that she hasn’t changed, but has only shifted perspective. Yet, we don’t get a good sense of where this realization comes from and how it impacts her life going forward. 

The end of the essay offers a satisfying return to the fire imagery, and highlights the writer’s passion—the one thing that has remained constant in her life.

“Getting beat is one thing – it’s part of competing – but I want no part in losing.” Coach Rob Stark’s motto never fails to remind me of his encouragement on early-morning bus rides to track meets around the state. I’ve always appreciated the phrase, but an experience last June helped me understand its more profound, universal meaning.

Stark, as we affectionately call him, has coached track at my high school for 25 years. His care, dedication, and emphasis on developing good character has left an enduring impact on me and hundreds of other students. Not only did he help me discover my talent and love for running, but he also taught me the importance of commitment and discipline and to approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running. When I learned a neighboring high school had dedicated their track to a longtime coach, I felt that Stark deserved similar honors.

Our school district’s board of education indicated they would only dedicate our track to Stark if I could demonstrate that he was extraordinary. I took charge and mobilized my teammates to distribute petitions, reach out to alumni, and compile statistics on the many team and individual champions Stark had coached over the years. We received astounding support, collecting almost 3,000 signatures and pages of endorsements from across the community. With help from my teammates, I presented this evidence to the board.

They didn’t bite. 

Most members argued that dedicating the track was a low priority. Knowing that we had to act quickly to convince them of its importance, I called a team meeting where we drafted a rebuttal for the next board meeting. To my surprise, they chose me to deliver it. I was far from the best public speaker in the group, and I felt nervous about going before the unsympathetic board again. However, at that second meeting, I discovered that I enjoy articulating and arguing for something that I’m passionate about.

Public speaking resembles a cross country race. Walking to the starting line, you have to trust your training and quell your last minute doubts. When the gun fires, you can’t think too hard about anything; your performance has to be instinctual, natural, even relaxed. At the next board meeting, the podium was my starting line. As I walked up to it, familiar butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Instead of the track stretching out in front of me, I faced the vast audience of teachers, board members, and my teammates. I felt my adrenaline build, and reassured myself: I’ve put in the work, my argument is powerful and sound. As the board president told me to introduce myself, I heard, “runners set” in the back of my mind. She finished speaking, and Bang! The brief silence was the gunshot for me to begin. 

The next few minutes blurred together, but when the dust settled, I knew from the board members’ expressions and the audience’s thunderous approval that I had run quite a race. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough; the board voted down our proposal. I was disappointed, but proud of myself, my team, and our collaboration off the track. We stood up for a cause we believed in, and I overcame my worries about being a leader. Although I discovered that changing the status quo through an elected body can be a painstakingly difficult process and requires perseverance, I learned that I enjoy the challenges this effort offers. Last month, one of the school board members joked that I had become a “regular” – I now often show up to meetings to advocate for a variety of causes, including better environmental practices in cafeterias and safer equipment for athletes.

Just as Stark taught me, I worked passionately to achieve my goal. I may have been beaten when I appealed to the board, but I certainly didn’t lose, and that would have made Stark proud.

While the writer didn’t succeed in getting the track dedicated to Coach Stark, their essay is certainly successful in showing their willingness to push themselves and take initiative.

The essay opens with a quote from Coach Stark that later comes full circle at the end of the essay. We learn about Stark’s impact and the motivation for trying to get the track dedicated to him.

One of the biggest areas of improvement in the intro, however, is how the essay tells us Stark’s impact rather than showing us: His care, dedication, and emphasis on developing good character has left an enduring impact on me and hundreds of other students. Not only did he help me discover my talent and love for running, but he also taught me the importance of commitment and discipline and to approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running.

The writer could’ve helped us feel a stronger emotional connection to Stark if they had included examples of Stark’s qualities, rather than explicitly stating them. For example, they could’ve written something like: Stark was the kind of person who would give you gas money if you told him your parents couldn’t afford to pick you up from practice. And he actually did that—several times. At track meets, alumni regularly would come talk to him and tell him how he’d changed their lives. Before Stark, I was ambivalent about running and was on the JV team, but his encouragement motivated me to run longer and harder and eventually make varsity. Because of him, I approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running.

The essay goes on to explain how the writer overcame their apprehension of public speaking, and likens the process of submitting an appeal to the school board to running a race. This metaphor makes the writing more engaging and allows us to feel the student’s emotions.

While the student didn’t ultimately succeed in getting the track dedicated, we learn about their resilience and initiative: I now often show up to meetings to advocate for a variety of causes, including better environmental practices in cafeterias and safer equipment for athletes.

Overall, this essay is well-done. It demonstrates growth despite failing to meet a goal, which is a unique essay structure. The running metaphor and full-circle intro/ending also elevate the writing in this essay.

Where to Get Your Overcoming Challenges Essay Edited

The Overcoming Challenges essay is one of the trickier supplemental prompts, so it’s important to get feedback on your drafts. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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Overcoming Learning Disabilities

This is the essay I just wrote for my English class. It isn’t QUITE what the assignment asked for, but it follows the main theme of what we were asked to do. Enjoy!

               Students who display dedication as well as a good work ethic will be successful, no matter what their disadvantage, because the harder they work, the more they will develop their skills and the better they will become at any given subject. Sometimes we see students who achieve high scores and do well in their classes and automatically assume those students are gifted or have some form of intellectual advantage. We forget, in some cases, that there are students out there who do not have the innate gift of being able to understand information at the same level as other students. We also forget that some students possess learning disabilities and have to work harder to overcome those disadvantages. These students become gifted in their quest to overcome and surpass the disability they have been born with.

               Working hard at school is something we are all taught at a young age. Teachers try to instill in us the desire to excel in our studies so that we may do well in our lives outside of school. Some students find it easier to perform well at school and learn that they do not need to work as hard as others. Some students struggle and find they need to work twice as hard in order to achieve the same success as their peers, whether it is in schoolwork or sports. When students struggle and learn they have to work harder to overcome difficulties, some rise to the challenge and some give up. The difference in these two types of students is dedication.

               When a student is dedicated to achieving a desired outcome or in putting forth the effort required to do what is asked of them, they learn that can succeed if they persevere. Being dedicated to their end goal and doing the work that is required to reach that end goal helps students develop a habit of working through rough situations. This will help them later in life as they face obstacles in their careers or personal lives.

               An example of someone using a good work ethic and dedication to overcome a disability and using the skills he learned as an advantage is President Woodrow Wilson. He is believed to have had dyslexia and possibly other learning difficulties. He worked hard and taught himself shorthand to overcome his challenges at reading. Because of this, he was better able to learn and is still the only US president to have obtained a PhD.

               When students have learning disabilities, they are sometimes able to use medication to their advantage to assist in overcoming these difficulties. Other times, they need a physical assistance or someone to work with them. Some students need medication to calm hyperactivity or an inability to stay focused. Other students need a physical aid like a hearing aid or glasses. Some students need someone to sit with them and work through learning troubles. These items, while not an advantage to other students, are a large advantage to the students who need them.

               History is full of students who have needed extra help when dealing with learning difficulties. Some received it, some did not. In either situation, the students who have learned to deal with, adapt to and overcome learning disabilities have done so through developing a good work ethic and showing dedication to doing the work that was necessary to overcome their challenges. Nelson Rockefeller had dyslexia, George Patton had some form of a learning disability, Dr. Temple Grandin was autistic, Albert Einstein is believed to have had Asperger’s Syndrome and so many other notable minds were afflicted with learning difficulties. Because they all had strong work ethics and a dedication to learning, they were able to overcome their learning disabilities and excel in their chosen fields.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Overcoming Challenges — Overcoming Challenges In My Life: Dyslexia

Overcoming Challenges in My Life: Dyslexia

• Categories: Dyslexia Overcoming Challenges Personal Experience

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Published: Sep 1, 2020

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Learning Disability Essay

• Author Kimberly Ball
• Category General Essays

Disclaimer: This paper has been submitted by a student. This is not a sample of the work written by professional academic writers.

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Introduction

Learning disabilities can be defined as neurologically-based processing problems that interfere with processing problems and can interfere with necessary learning skills like reading and writing. Multiple learning disabilities are, however, not a life sentence to being attacked of a postsecondary educational experience. Anyone can have the disability which ranges from attention deficit disorders, learning, and other health-related disabilities. In this essay, I will emphasize different misconceptions that lie behind learning disability.

It’s wrong to argue that individuals with learning disabilities should not attend college. After Deborah was diagnosed with the learning disability, the supportive parents, little college assistance and excellent academic assistance have aided her to be one of the most fortunate students with the learning disability. Statistics also show that more than 9% of college student reports having learning disabilities of different magnitudes.

Learning disability should not also be related to the slower learner or mental retardation. Students were regarded as retarded and tracked down for options after high school. Many scholars like Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Louis Pasteur and Charles Darwin have aided in understanding learning disabilities over the years (Winner, 1997). Learning disabilities, however, does not exist if they are kept hidden. It was defined formally as a heterogeneous of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of reasoning, writing, reading, speaking, listening and mathematical disabilities.

Colleges are not eligible in inquiring learning disability in joining students. In the scenario that involves civil rights, colleges have been cited to include questions in their  applications for admissions that inquire about the disability of students. However, questions about disabilities on the application are generally prohibited.

Accepting learning disabilities is difficult and attempts at attitude adjustment towards seems quite challenging. However, students with learning disabilities should be assisted in camps by providing a positive attitude towards the disabilities. Students tend to complicate matters more for themselves by confronting others due to their disbelief and thus presenting cognitive deficits in areas necessary for college success. Improvements in the way learning disabilities have yielded progress, and the affected population deserves respect, acceptance, support, and encouragement.

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