07/10/2025
July is Disability Awareness Month.
Today—and every day—we are reminded that disability does not equal inability. While over 1 billion people globally live with some form of disability, the truth is that all of us experience challenges—whether emotional, physical, or cognitive. From wearing glasses or using hearing aids, to navigating conditions like cerebral palsy, ADHD, or blindness, we all carry something that shapes how we move through the world.
What everyone deserves is inclusion, respect, and access—not pity or assumptions. Disabilities, whether in ourselves or others, are opportunities for understanding, compassion, and growth.
History offers countless examples of individuals who have turned immense challenges into remarkable achievements—Helen Keller, Stephen Hawking, Frida Kahlo, Andrea Bocelli, and Raun Kaufman, to name just a few.
In Boy in the Moon, Ian Brown reflects on the profound lessons he’s learned through parenting his disabled son, Walker. Similarly, the film Son Rise follows a family's transformative journey—not by forcing their autistic son to conform to their world, but by entering his. The results were extraordinary—not just for their son, but for the entire family.
Let this month serve as both a celebration and a call to action: to see ability in all its forms, to uplift one another, and to never stop learning.
Disability can be visible or invisible, congenital or acquired. But what unites all of us is the need for dignity, equity, and understanding.
✅ Access is a right, not a privilege.
✅ Inclusive spaces benefit everyone.
✅ Listening is more powerful than speaking for others.
Let’s break down the barriers—physical, social, and attitudinal—and build a world where everyone thrives.
"...disabilities, while difficult, could lead to self-discovery, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for life." Helen Keller
