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Marina Morris is a college graduate, a business professional, a public speaker, an advocate, an accomplished golfer, and a mom. She also happens to have cerebral palsy.
Marina was a Russian orphan who was born with cerebral palsy and brought to the United States at the age of six. Marina does not think of herself as disabled and was brought up by parents who would not allow her to see herself that way. It has made all the difference.
“The moment you start seeing yourself without a disability is the moment other people will start seeing you without a disability,” Ms. Morris explains. Many of us don’t fully realize the extraordinary accomplishments and the enormous progress that so-called “disabled” individuals have made in our world. Millions are productively employed, live independently, and are valuable, contributing members of society.
The truth is that people with disabilities can—and do—participate in all areas of the American workforce. They, like anyone without a disability, thrive when they fully participate in their communities, and in turn, the communities as a whole thrive.
“When I feel like people are staring at me…at least they’re looking, and I have the opportunity to tell them my story,” Marina explains how overcoming the stigma and hardships of cerebral palsy has helped shape the remarkable person she is today. Now she shares her story as a reminder to all of us that no one should be defined by their disability.
Psychologist Dr. David Connell also weighs in to explain the pros and cons of being “labeled” with a disability. While that label can allow access to certain services, it can also impede how people see themselves or are viewed by others.
Seeing beyond a person’s disability allows us to appreciate their full potential. Seeing beyond is not about ignoring; it is about accepting.
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