Illness & Disability

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Did you know?

Read about paralympic athlete, model, and actress Aimee Mullins.

There are many famous people who did not let their illnesses or disabilities stop them from going after their dreams. So, don't let anything stop you from going after yours!

• Actress Halle Berry has type 1 diabetes. She gives herself daily insulin shots and watches what she eats.
• Actress Keira Knightley is dyslexic. Growing up, Keira's classmates made fun of her for being dyslexic, so she would get books on tape and memorize them.
• Michelle Akers, a former member of the USA Women's Soccer Team and second all-time leading scorer (behind Mia Hamm), suffers from headaches and chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Actresses Sarah Michelle Gellar & Chloe Sevigny have scoliosis.
• Former Olympic sprinter and hurdler, Gail Devers, has Grave's disease.
• NBA Superstar Magic Johnson became infected with HIV in 1991 and educates young people about how to avoid getting the virus.
• Miss America 1995, Heather Whitestone, is hearing impaired. She was the first woman with a disability to be given this crown.
• Television Star Nicolas Brendon has dealt with stuttering his whole life, and is now serving as honorary chairperson of the Stuttering Foundation of America.

Lessons from history

There are many leaders, teachers, entertainers and others with illnesses and disabilities who have made a difference in America's history. Read on to find out who some of them are.

• Harriet Tubman, an anti-slavery crusader, had epilepsy.
• Walt Disney, cartoonist and founder of Walt Disney World ®, had a learning disability.
• Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt led the nation from a wheelchair, after he lost the use of his legs from the polio virus.
• Artist Leonardo Da Vinci, creator of the famous Mona Lisa painting, had epilepsy.
• Judy Garland, star of The Wizard of Oz, suffered from depression.
  

Are your parents in the know? Be a history teacher for a day and quiz your parents to see if they know what these famous people in history have overcome.

Read personal stories, play games, and talk with other young people with illnesses and disabilities.

Content last updated June 2, 2007

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