20 Most Successful and Inspiring Differently abled People

Stephen Hawking is a well-known celebrity in academics and recipient of numerous appreciations: Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Presidential Medal of Freedom and lifetime member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

Despite being challenged by motor neuron disease, he is one of the most admired scientists in physics, with numerous books and publications under his belt.

2. Helen Keller - Blind and Deaf

Profession : Lecturer and Activist

Keller was the first ever to earn Bachelors in Arts. She was also a political activist and a celebrated author in America. She was one of the leading hands in founding American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

3. John Nash - Schizophrenia

Profession : Renowned American Mathematician

John Nash suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. Few years after being out of college, Nash starting developing signs of schizophrenia. However, the illness never affected his love for mathematics. His work on geometry and partial differential equations is still considered as outstanding.

4. Christy Brown - Cerebral Palsy

Profession : Poet, Painter and Author

Brown was challenged with cerebral palsy. Until the age of 5, he wasn't able to respond on his own will. Only after that, his left foot was responsive as opposed to the whole body. He is a celebrity author for his autobiography 'My Left Foot'.

5. Demosthenes - Stammer

Profession : Orator

Demosthenes was one of the most robust and influential speakers of all time. At a tender age of 11, he tried to commit suicide; however, he survived. He used to sit by the beach for hours, with pebbles in his mouth. Eventually, he became of the most admired orators in history.

6. Vincent van Gough - Mental Illness

Profession : Painter

Vincent Van Gough was one of the most admired and influential painters to have walked the face of the Earth. He suffered depression and was hospitalized. Although he killed himself, his paintings remained as one of the marvelous crafts of all time.

7. Beethoven - Deaf

Profession : Composer

Despite being deaf, Beethoven turned out to be one of the biggest composers of all time. He was guided by Mozart and studied Piano. He was famous for his brilliant and dubious improvisations.

8. Sudha Chandran - Amputation

Profession : Dancer

Sudha Chandran met with a terrible accident one time that resulted in the amputation of her right leg. Despite the crushing disability, Chandran emerged as one of the most acclaimed and influential classical dancers in India.

9. Frida Kahlo - Polio

Profession : Painter

Kahlo suffered from polio. Despite her physical disability, she was one of the most celebrated painters in all of Mexico. Her painting mostly includes self-portraits, landscaped and figment of imagination.

10. Marla Runyan - Stargardt’s Disease

Profession : Professional Runner

Marla Runyan developed Stargardt’s Disease at the age of 9. This left her blinded for the rest of her life. However, she took the stick of courage and emerged out as a national champion 3 times in women's 5000-metres race. She won medals and accolades at various national and international sporting events.

11. Stevie Wonder - Blind

Profession : Musician, Singer

Stevie Wonder's success story is one of resilience and immense talent. Blind since infancy, he signed with Motown's Tamla label at age 11. His groundbreaking fusion of soul, R&B, and funk produced classics like "Superstition" and "Isn’t She Lovely." His artistry, activism, and innovation have earned global acclaim.

12. Marlee Matlin - Deaf

Profession : Actress

Marlee Matlin, who lost her hearing at 18 months, became the first deaf performer to win an Academy Award for Best Actress at age 21 for "Children of a Lesser God" (1986). She continues to advocate for deaf representation in media. 

13. Ralph Braun - Muscular Dystrophy

Profession : Businessman, Founder and CEO of Braun Corporation

Ralph Braun, diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at age six, pioneered mobility solutions by inventing the first motorized scooter and wheelchair lift. He founded BraunAbility, revolutionizing accessible transportation and empowering countless individuals with disabilities to achieve greater independence. 

14. John Hockenberry -  Spinal Cord Injury

Profession : Journalist, Author, 4 times Emmy Award Winner

John Hockenberry, an acclaimed journalist and author, has reported globally across various media for over three decades. His memoir, "Moving Violations," was a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist. Hockenberry has written for esteemed publications like The New York Times and The New Yorker. 

15. Tanni Grey-Thompson - Spina Bifida

Profession : Wheelchair Racer

Tanni Grey-Thompson, born in 1969 in Cardiff, Wales, is a renowned former wheelchair racer and life peer. She won 11 gold medals across five Paralympic Games and held over 30 world records. Post-retirement, she became a television presenter and was appointed to the House of Lords in 2010. 

16. Nick Vujicic - Tetra-Amelia Syndrome

Profession: Motivational speaker, Author

Nick Vujicic, born without limbs, transformed personal adversity into global inspiration. Overcoming depression, he founded Life Without Limbs, authored motivational books, and became a sought-after speaker, sharing messages of resilience and faith worldwide. His journey exemplifies triumph over physical limitations through determination and positivity. 

17. Andrea Bocelli - Blind, Congenital Glaucoma

Profession : Italian tenor, Singer, and Songwriter

Andrea Bocelli, born in 1958 in Lajatico, Italy, overcame congenital glaucoma and total blindness at 12 to become a world-renowned tenor. His 1995 album "Bocelli" featured "Con te partirò," propelling him to international fame. Bocelli has since sold over 80 million records, blending opera and pop music. 

18. Muhammad Ali - Parkinson's Disease

Profession : Boxer

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Clay in 1942, became a three-time World Heavyweight Champion, renowned for his agility and charisma. He won an Olympic gold medal in 1960 and was celebrated for his activism and opposition to the Vietnam War. Ali's legacy endures as a symbol of athletic excellence and social justice.

19. Louis Braille - Blind

Profession : French Educator and Inventor

Louis Braille, born on January 4, 1809, in Coupvray, France, became blind at the age of three due to an accident in his father's workshop. While playing with a stitching awl, he accidentally injured his right eye. The resulting infection spread to his left eye, leading to total blindness. Despite this, Braille excelled academically and, at fifteen, developed the braille system—a tactile method of reading and writing for the visually impaired. His invention has profoundly impacted education and communication for blind individuals worldwide.

20. Alex Zanardi - Amputation of Both his Legs

Profession : Racing Driver and Paralympic Handcyclist

Alex Zanardi, born in 1966, is an Italian racing driver and paracyclist. After losing both legs in a 2001 crash, he returned to motorsport and later excelled in handcycling, winning multiple Paralympic gold medals. His resilience and determination have made him an inspirational figure in sports. 

The stories of the above personalities prove only one important fact – it takes more than courage to face the adversities to win over and be victorious. If they could do it, so could you!