Can you call Stephen Hawking disabled when the man has been able to unravel so much of the world around us in his head?

We are all unique and different in our own way. The world would be a very boring place if we were all clones of each other. We enjoy our diversity and our differences, we enjoy the saying "opposites attract," we enjoy the beautiful range of skin and eye color, hair texture, body shape. Why can't we enjoy and accept the fact that everybody is able in his or her own way?

The word disabled is widely used to refer to anybody who is different from the accepted "norm." The word disability implies that someone who is different is also unable. If that statement was true then everybody in the world should be said disabled. I, for example, am not able to perform a surgery, pilot a plane, or skateboard. But I am able to do other things some people might not.

The same way, someone with lower visual acuity might not be able to see but they can perform tasks that people with perfect vision might not. The same applies to anybody independent of his or her physical or mental differences.

We shouldn't use the word disability. We are all subject to small limitations but everyone is able to achieve their goals if they put their minds to it. The only thing up to each individual is how far he or she can get. Aim high!

Sláinte!