Disabled people who have achieved success. Famous actors whose disabilities few knew about

December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. There are many examples where people with disabilities not just survive, but become famous. We have made a selection of several disabled people who have become world famous.

1. Laureate Nobel Prize Stephen William Hawkingstudies the fundamental laws that govern the Universe. He is the owner of twelve honorary academic titles. His books A Multiple History of Time and Black Holes, the Young Universe and Other Essays became bestsellers. With all this, at the age of 20, Hawking was almost completely paralyzed due to the development of an incurable form of atrophying sclerosis and remains in this condition for the rest of his life. Only the fingers of his right hand move, with which he controls his moving chair and a special computer that speaks for him.

Nobel Prize winner Stephen William Hawking studies the fundamental laws that govern the Universe

2. One of the famous blind people is the clairvoyant Vanga. At the age of 12, Vanga lost her sight due to a hurricane that threw her hundreds of meters. They found her only in the evening with her eyes filled with sand. Her father and stepmother were unable to provide treatment and Vanga became blind. She came to attention during World War II when rumors spread through villages that she could locate missing people, whether they were alive or where they had died.

One of the famous blind people is the clairvoyant Vanga

3. Ludwig van Beethoven- German composer, representative of the Viennese classical school. In 1796, already a famous composer, Beethoven began to lose his hearing: he developed tinitis - inflammation inner ear. By 1802, Beethoven was completely deaf, but it was from this time that the composer created his most famous works. In 1803-1804 Beethoven wrote the “Eroica Symphony”, in 1803-1805 - the opera “Fidelio”. In addition, at this time Beethoven wrote piano sonatas from “Twenty-eighth” to the last - “Thirty-second”, two cello sonatas, quartets, and the vocal cycle “To a Distant Beloved”. Being completely deaf, Beethoven created two of his most monumental works - “Solemn Mass” and “Ninth Symphony with Chorus” (1824).

Ludwig van Beethoven - German composer, representative of the Viennese classical school

4. Pilot Alexey Maresyev, based on whose story “The Tale of a Real Man” was written, he was very active all his life and fought for the rights of people with disabilities. He is one of the few who passed a medical examination after amputation and began to fly with prosthetics. After the war, Maresyev traveled a lot and became an honorary citizen of many cities. He became living proof that circumstances can be overcome.

Pilot Alexey Maresyev, based on whose story “The Tale of a Real Man” was written, was very active all his life and fought for the rights of people with disabilities

5. Franklin Delano Roosevelt- 32nd President of the United States - was also disabled. In 1921, Roosevelt became seriously ill with polio. Despite years of efforts to overcome the disease, Roosevelt remained paralyzed and confined to wheelchair. Some of the most significant pages in history are associated with his name foreign policy and US diplomacy, in particular, the establishment and normalization of diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union and US participation in the anti-Hitler coalition.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt - 32nd President of the United States

6. Ray Charles famous American blind musician, author of more than 70 studio albums, one of the world's most famous performers of music in the styles of soul, jazz and rhythm and blues, was awarded 17 Grammy Awards, entered the rock and roll and jazz halls of fame , country and blues, his recordings have been included in the Library of Congress. He went blind as a child.

Ray Charles, famous American blind musician

7. Eric Weihenmayer- the world's first rock climber to reach the top of Everest while blind. He lost his sight when he was 13 years old. Onako Eric completed his studies, and then became a teacher himself high school, then a wrestling coach and world-class athlete. Director Peter Winter made a live-action television film about Weihenmayer's journey, "Touch the Top of the World." In addition to Everest, Weihenmayer has conquered the seven highest mountain peaks in the world, including Kilimanjaro and Elbrus.

Eric Weihenmayer is the world's first rock climber to reach the summit of Everest while blind.

8. Oscar Pistorius disabled since birth. This man has reached outstanding results in a field where traditionally people with disabilities cannot compete with healthy people. Having no legs below the knee, he became a track and field runner, and after numerous victories in competitions for the disabled, he won the right to compete with completely healthy athletes and achieved great success. He is also a promoter of sports among people with disabilities, an active participant in support programs for the disabled, and a unique symbol of how much success a person with physical disabilities can achieve, even in such a specific area as sports.

Oscar Pistorius, disabled since birth

9. Blind American Musician, Stevie Wonder, who had a huge influence on the development of music of the 20th century as a whole, was one of the founders of classic soul and R’n’B. Stevie Wonder is second among pop musicians in the number of Grammy awards he has received: he received them 25 times, including for lifetime achievement. The musician went blind shortly after birth.

Another blind American musician - Stevie Wonder

10. Irishman Christy Brown, unlike previous ones famous disabled people, was born with disabilities - he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Doctors considered it unpromising - the child could not walk or even move, and was developmentally delayed. But the mother did not abandon him, but cared for the baby and did not give up hope of teaching him to walk, talk, write, and read. Her action deserves deep respect - Brown's family was very poor, and his father did not accept his “inferior” son at all. In fact, Brown only controlled his left leg fully. And it was with it that he began to draw and write, mastering first chalk, then a brush, then a pen and a typewriter. He not only learned to read, speak and write, but also became famous artist and a short story writer. The film Christy Brown: My Life was made about his life. left leg", the script for which was written by Brown himself.

Irishman Christy Brown, unlike previous famous disabled people, was born with disabilities

Andrey Detzel

Famous disabled people in history

You have a disability or serious disease? You are not alone. Many people with disabilities have contributed to society. Among them are actors, actresses, celebrities, singers, politicians and many other famous people.

There are, of course, millions to no one famous people who live, struggle and overcome their illness every day.

Here is some list of famous disabled people to prove that it is possible to overcome the so-called disability barrier.

Vanga(Vangelia Pandeva Gushterova, née Dimitrova; January 31, 1911, Strumitsa, Ottoman Empire - August 11, 1996 Petrich, Bulgaria) - Bulgarian clairvoyant. She was born in the Ottoman Empire into the family of a poor Bulgarian peasant. At the age of 12, Vanga lost her sight due to a hurricane, during which the whirlwind threw her hundreds of meters. She was found only in the evening with her eyes filled with sand. Her family was unable to provide treatment, and as a result Vanga went blind.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt 32nd President of the United States (1933-1945) (sick with polio in 1921).

Kutuzov(Golenishchev-Kutuzov) Mikhail Illarionovich (1745-1813)

His Serene Highness Prince Smolensky(1812), Russian commander, Field Marshal General (1812) (blindness in one eye).

Composer Ludwig van Beethoven(I lost my hearing with age).

Musician Stevie Wonder(blindness).

Sarah Bernhardt, actress (lost her leg as a result of an injury in a fall).

Marlee Matlin, (deafness).

Christopher Reeve, the American actor who played the role of Superman, became paralyzed after falling from a horse.

Ivan IV Vasilievich(Grozny) (Russian Tsar) - epilepsy, severe paranoia

Peter I Aleseyevich Romanov(Russian Tsar, later Russian Emperor) - epilepsy, chronic alcoholism

I.V. Dzhugashvili(Stalin) (Generalissimo, second head of the USSR) - partial paralysis of the upper limbs

Cerebral paralysis

Cerebral paralysis- this term refers to a group of non-progressive non-communicable diseases associated with damage to areas of the brain that most often cause movement disorders.

Celebrities with CPU

Geri Jewell(09/13/1956) - comedienne. She made her debut in the television show “Life Facts”. Jerry on personal experience shows that the behavior and actions of patients with cirrhosis are often misunderstood. Geri has been called a pioneer among disabled comedians.

Anna McDonald is an Australian writer and disability rights activist. Her illness developed as a result birth trauma. She was diagnosed with intellectual disability, and at the age of three her parents placed her in the Melbourne Hospital for the Severely Disabled, where she spent 11 years without education or treatment. In 1980, she co-wrote her life story, Anna's Exit, with Rosemary Crossley, which was later filmed.

Christy Brown(06/05/1932-09/06/1981) - Irish author, artist and poet. The film “My Left Foot” was made about his life. For many years, Christy Brown was unable to move or speak on his own. Doctors considered him mentally disabled. However, his mother continued to talk to him, develop him and try to teach him. At the age of five, he took a piece of chalk from his sister with his left leg - the only limb that obeyed him - and began to draw on the floor. His mother taught him the alphabet, and he carefully copied each letter, holding the chalk between his toes. He eventually learned to speak and read.

Chris Foncheska- comedian. He worked in an American comedy club and wrote material for comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and Roseanne Arnold. Chris Fonchesca is the first (and only) person with a visible disability to work on Late Night with David Letterman in the show's 18-year history. Many of Chris's stories are about his illness. He notes that this helps break down many preconceived barriers about cerebral palsy.

Chris Nolan- Irish author. He was educated in Dublin. Cerebral palsy acquired as a result of a two-hour oxygen starvation after birth. His mother believed that he understood everything and continued to teach him at home. Eventually a cure was discovered that allowed him to move one muscle in his neck. Thanks to this, Chris was able to learn to type. Nolan never said a word in his life, but his poetry has been compared to Joyce, Keats and Yeats. He published his first collection of poems at the age of fifteen.

Stephen Hawking- world famous physicist. He defied time and his doctor's claims that he would not live two years after he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Charcot's disease. Hawking cannot walk, speak, swallow, has difficulty raising his head, and has difficulty breathing. Hawking, 51, was told about the disease 30 years ago when he was an unknown college student.

Miguel Cervantes(1547 - 1616) - Spanish writer. Cervantes is best known as the author of one of the greatest works of world literature - the novel "The Cunning Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha." In 1571, Cervantes, being military service in the fleet, took part in the battle of Lepanto, where he was seriously wounded by a shot from an arcade, which is why he lost his left arm.

Pavel Luspekayev, actor (Vereshchagin from “White Sun of the Desert”) - Amputated feet.

Grigory Zhuravlev, artist - from birth he was without arms and legs. He painted pictures with a brush in his mouth.

Admiral Nelson- without a hand and an eye.

Homer(blindness) ancient Greek poet, author of the Odyssey

Franklin Roosevelt(poliomyelitis) 32nd President of the United States

Ludwig Beethoven(deafness with age) great German composer

Stevie Wonder(blind) American musician

Marlene Matlin(deafness) American actress. She became the first and only deaf actress to win an Academy Award for Best female role in the film "Children of a Lesser God"

Christopher Reeve(paralysis) American actor

Grigory Zhuravlev(absence of legs and arms) Russian artist (more)

Elena Keller(deaf-blind) American writer, teacher

Maresyev Alexey(leg amputation) ace pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union

Oscar Pistorius(legless) athlete

Diana Gudayevna Gurtskaya- Russian Georgian singer. Member of the Union of Right Forces.

Valentin Ivanovich Dikul. In 1962, Valentin Dikul fell from a great height while performing a stunt in the circus. The doctors’ verdict was merciless: “ Compression fracture spine in lumbar region and traumatic brain injury." . One of Dikul’s main achievements was his own rehabilitation method, protected by copyright certificates and patents. In 1988, the Russian Center for Rehabilitation of Patients with Spinal Injuries and Consequences of Cerebral Palsy was opened - the Dikul Center. In subsequent years, 3 more V.I. Dikul centers were opened in Moscow alone. Then, under the scientific leadership of Valentin Ivanovich, a number of rehabilitation clinics appeared throughout Russia, in Israel, Germany, Poland, America, etc.

Honored Master of Sports, athlete of the Omsk Paralympic Training Center Elena Chistilina. She won silver at the XIII Paralympic Games in Beijing and two bronze medals at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, and has repeatedly won Russian championships. In 2006, by Decree of the President of Russia, the athlete was awarded the medal of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II degree.

Taras Kryzhanovsky(1981). He was born without two feet. Honored Master of Sports in cross-country skiing among the disabled, champion and prize-winner of the IX Paralympic Games in Turin (nomination “For outstanding achievements in sports”).

Andrea Bocelli. Italian Opera singer Andrea Bocelli was born in 1958 in Lagiatico in the province of Tuscany. Despite his blindness, he became one of the most memorable voices of modern opera and pop music. Bocelli is equally good at performing classical repertoire and pop ballads. He recorded duets with Celine Dion, Sarah Brightman, Eros Razazzotti and Al Jarre. The latter, who sang “The Night Of Proms” with him in November 1995, said about Bocelli: “I had the honor of singing with the most beautiful voice in the world”...

Stephen William Hawking(English: Stephen William Hawking, born January 8, 1942, Oxford, UK) is one of the most scientifically influential theoretical physicists of our time known to the general public. Hawking's main area of ​​research is cosmology and quantum gravity.
For three decades now, the scientist has been suffering incurable disease - multiple sclerosis. This is a disease in which motor neurons gradually die and the person becomes increasingly helpless... After throat surgery in 1985, he lost the ability to speak. Friends gave him a speech synthesizer, which was installed on his wheelchair and with the help of which Hawking can communicate with others.
Married twice, three children, grandchildren.

Daniela Rozzek- "wheelchair rider", German Paralympian - fencing. In addition to playing sports, she studies at a design school and works at a center for helping the elderly. Raises a daughter. Together with other German Paralympians, she starred for an erotic calendar.

Zhadovskaya Yulia Valerianovna- July 11, 1824 - August 8, 1883, poetess, prose writer. She was born with a physical disability - without one hand. She was a very interesting, talented person, communicated with a large circle of talented people of her era.

Sarah Bernhardt- March 24, 1824 - March 26, 1923, actress (“divine Sarah”). Many prominent figures theater artists, for example K. S. Stanislavsky, considered Bernard's art a model of technical perfection. However, Bernard combined virtuoso skill, sophisticated technique, and artistic taste with deliberate showiness and a certain artificiality of play. In 1905, during a tour in Rio de Janeiro, the actress injured her right leg, in 1915 the leg had to be amputated. Nevertheless, Bernard did not leave the stage. During the First World War, Bernard performed at the front. In 1914 she was awarded the Order of the Legion of Honor.

Stevie Wonder- May 13, 1950 American soul singer, composer, pianist and producer. He is called the greatest musician of our time, achieved impressive success in the musical field, being blind from birth, received a Grammy Award 22 times, Wonder's name is immortalized in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Composers Hall of Fame.

Do you have a disability or serious illness? You are not alone. Many people with disabilities have contributed to society. Among them are actors, actresses, celebrities, singers, politicians and many other famous people. There are, of course, millions of unknown people who live, struggle and overcome their illness every day. Here is some list of famous disabled people to prove that it is possible to overcome the so-called disability barrier. Vanga(Vangelia Pandeva Gushterova, née Dimitrova; January 31, 1911, Strumitsa, Ottoman Empire - August 11, 1996 Petrich, Bulgaria) - Bulgarian clairvoyant. She was born in the Ottoman Empire into the family of a poor Bulgarian peasant. At the age of 12, Vanga lost her sight due to a hurricane, during which the whirlwind threw her hundreds of meters. She was found only in the evening with her eyes filled with sand. Her family was unable to provide treatment, and as a result Vanga went blind. Franklin Delano Roosevelt 32nd President of the United States (1933–1945) (succumbed to polio in 1921). Kutuzov(Golenishchev-Kutuzov) Mikhail Illarionovich (1745–1813) His Serene Highness Prince Smolensky(1812), Russian commander, Field Marshal General (1812) (blindness in one eye). Composer Ludwig van Beethoven(I lost my hearing with age). Musician Stevie Wonder(blindness). Sarah Bernhardt, actress (lost her leg as a result of an injury in a fall). Marlee Matlin, (deafness). Christopher Reeve, the American actor who played the role of Superman, became paralyzed after falling from a horse. Ivan IV Vasilievich(Grozny) (Russian Tsar) - epilepsy, severe paranoia Peter I Aleseyevich Romanov(Russian Tsar, later Russian Emperor) - epilepsy, chronic alcoholism I.V. Dzhugashvili(Stalin) (Generalissimo, second head of the USSR) - partial paralysis of the upper limbs Cerebral paralysis Cerebral paralysis– this term refers to a group of non-progressive, non-contagious diseases associated with damage to areas of the brain, most often causing movement disorders. Celebrities with CPU Geri Jewell(09/13/1956) – comedienne. She made her debut in the television show “Life Facts”. Geri shows from personal experience that the behavior and actions of people with CP are often misunderstood. Geri has been called a pioneer among disabled comedians. Anna McDonald is an Australian writer and disability rights activist. Her illness developed as a result of birth trauma. She was diagnosed with intellectual disability, and at the age of three her parents placed her in the Melbourne Hospital for the Severely Disabled, where she spent 11 years without education or treatment. In 1980, she co-wrote her life story, Anna's Exit, with Rosemary Crossley, which was later filmed. Christy Brown(06/05/1932-09/06/1981) - Irish author, artist and poet. The film “My Left Foot” was made about his life. For many years, Christy Brown was unable to move or speak on his own. Doctors considered him mentally disabled. However, his mother continued to talk to him, develop him and try to teach him. At the age of five, he took a piece of chalk from his sister with his left leg - the only limb that obeyed him - and began to draw on the floor. His mother taught him the alphabet, and he carefully copied each letter, holding the chalk between his toes. He eventually learned to speak and read. Chris Foncheska- comedian. He worked in an American comedy club and wrote material for comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and Roseanne Arnold. Chris Fonchesca is the first (and only) person with a visible disability to work on Late Night with David Letterman in the show's 18-year history. Many of Chris's stories are about his illness. He notes that this helps break down many preconceived barriers about cerebral palsy. Chris Nolan- Irish author. He was educated in Dublin. I acquired cerebral palsy as a result of a two-hour oxygen deprivation after birth. His mother believed that he understood everything and continued to teach him at home. Eventually a cure was discovered that allowed him to move one muscle in his neck. Thanks to this, Chris was able to learn to type. Nolan never said a word in his life, but his poetry has been compared to Joyce, Keats and Yeats. He published his first collection of poems at the age of fifteen. Stephen Hawking- world famous physicist. He defied time and his doctor's claims that he would not live two years after he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Charcot's disease. Hawking cannot walk, speak, swallow, has difficulty raising his head, and has difficulty breathing. Hawking, 51, was told about the disease 30 years ago when he was an unknown college student. Miguel Cervantes(1547 – 1616) – Spanish writer. Cervantes is best known as the author of one of the greatest works of world literature - the novel "The Cunning Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha." In 1571, Cervantes, while serving in the navy, took part in the Battle of Lepanto, where he was seriously wounded by a shot from an arcade, as a result of which he lost his left arm. Pavel Luspekayev, actor (Vereshchagin from “White Sun of the Desert”) - Amputated feet. Grigory Zhuravlev, artist - from birth he was without arms and legs. He painted pictures with a brush in his mouth. Admiral Nelson- without a hand and an eye. Homer(blindness) ancient Greek poet, author of the Odyssey Franklin Roosevelt(poliomyelitis) 32nd President of the United States Ludwig Beethoven(deafness with age) great German composer Stevie Wonder(blind) American musician Marlene Matlin(deafness) American actress. She became the first and only deaf actress to win an Academy Award for Best Actress for Children of a Lesser God. Christopher Reeve(paralysis) American actor Grigory Zhuravlev(absence of legs and arms) Russian artist (more) Elena Keller(deaf-blind) American writer, teacher Maresyev Alexey(leg amputation) ace pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union Oscar Pistorius(legless) athlete Diana Gudayevna Gurtskaya- Russian Georgian singer. Member of the Union of Right Forces. Valentin Ivanovich Dikul. In 1962, Valentin Dikul fell from a great height while performing a stunt in the circus. The doctors’ verdict was merciless: “Compression fracture of the lumbar spine and traumatic brain injury.” . One of Dikul’s main achievements was his own rehabilitation method, protected by copyright certificates and patents. In 1988, the Russian Center for Rehabilitation of Patients with Spinal Injuries and Consequences of Cerebral Palsy was opened - the Dikul Center. In subsequent years, 3 more V.I. Dikul centers were opened in Moscow alone. Then, under the scientific leadership of Valentin Ivanovich, a number of rehabilitation clinics appeared throughout Russia, in Israel, Germany, Poland, America, etc. Honored Master of Sports, athlete of the Omsk Paralympic Training Center Elena Chistilina. She won silver at the XIII Paralympic Games in Beijing and two bronze medals at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, and has repeatedly won Russian championships. In 2006, by Decree of the President of Russia, the athlete was awarded the medal of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II degree. Taras Kryzhanovsky(1981). He was born without two feet. Honored Master of Sports in cross-country skiing among the disabled, champion and prize-winner of the IX Paralympic Games in Turin (nomination “For outstanding achievements in sports”). Andrea Bocelli. Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli was born in 1958 in Lagiatico in the province of Tuscany. Despite his blindness, he became one of the most memorable voices of modern opera and pop music. Bocelli is equally good at performing classical repertoire and pop ballads. He recorded duets with Celine Dion, Sarah Brightman, Eros Razazzotti and Al Jarre. The latter, who sang “The Night Of Proms” with him in November 1995, said about Bocelli: “I had the honor of singing with the most beautiful voice in the world”... Stephen William Hawking(English: Stephen William Hawking, born January 8, 1942, Oxford, UK) is one of the most scientifically influential theoretical physicists of our time known to the general public. Hawking's main area of ​​research is cosmology and quantum gravity. For three decades now, the scientist has been suffering from an incurable disease - multiple sclerosis. This is a disease in which motor neurons gradually die and the person becomes increasingly helpless... After throat surgery in 1985, he lost the ability to speak. Friends gave him a speech synthesizer, which was installed on his wheelchair and with the help of which Hawking can communicate with others. Married twice, three children, grandchildren. Daniela Rozzek- "wheelchair rider", German Paralympian - fencing. In addition to playing sports, she studies at a design school and works at a center for helping the elderly. Raises a daughter. Together with other German Paralympians, she starred for an erotic calendar. Zhadovskaya Yulia Valerianovna- July 11, 1824 - August 8, 1883, poetess, prose writer. She was born with a physical disability - without one hand. She was a very interesting, talented person, communicated with a large circle of talented people of her era. Sarah Bernhardt- March 24, 1824 - March 26, 1923, actress (“divine Sarah”). Many outstanding theater figures, for example K. S. Stanislavsky, considered Bernard's art a model of technical excellence. However, Bernard combined virtuoso skill, sophisticated technique, and artistic taste with deliberate showiness and a certain artificiality of play. In 1905, during a tour in Rio de Janeiro, the actress injured her right leg; in 1915, the leg had to be amputated. Nevertheless, Bernard did not leave the stage. During the First World War, Bernard performed at the front. In 1914 she was awarded the Order of the Legion of Honor. Stevie Wonder- May 13, 1950 American soul singer, composer, pianist and producer. He is called the greatest musician of our time, achieved impressive success in the musical field, being blind from birth, received a Grammy Award 22 times, Wonder's name is immortalized in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Composers Hall of Fame.

Most recently, December 3 was the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In honor of this, I would like to say about some who, despite their limited capabilities, are not offended by life. On the contrary, they take everything she gives them.

It happens that people with disabilities are much more successful than people who were born fully functional.

Why is this happening? A disabled person feels that he is cut off from society, that, unfortunately, he cannot live fully, he cannot feel the feelings that ordinary people will experience.

Of course, such people strong will. And after this, such a person begins to work hard on himself so as not to feel disadvantaged; by this, the disabled person will show society that he is also a full-fledged member of society. It’s about people like this we'll talk In this article.

Nick Vujicic

In 1982, a child was born into a Serbian family with rare syndrome tetraamelia. He was born without limbs, but he had a foot with two toes.

Despite the absence of limbs, Nick can swim, skateboard, type on a computer and much more. In addition, Nick is motivational speaker. He performs mainly for youth and children.

For example, when small children ask him why he doesn’t have a limb, Nick answers that he didn’t clean his room or smoked a lot.

Began his activities in 1999. From that time on, he began speaking in prisons and churches, motivating people who had fallen in spirit that nothing was lost yet.

Been to Russia several times. Nick is also the father of two boys and, more recently, two twin girls. He wrote the book “Life without Borders: The Path to an Amazingly Happy Life.”

Mark Inglis

Man born in 1959. Since childhood I dreamed of rock climbing. In 1979 he began working as a search and rescue climber in national park Aoraki.

In 1982, an accident occurs resulting in Mark and his partner Philip getting stuck in a cave due to a strong storm. The climbers stayed there 13 days waiting for salvation. During this time, Mark froze his feet. After the rescue, it was decided to amputate his legs.

But even though the climber was left without legs, this did not deprive him of his dream of conquering Everest. He had to use prosthetics to achieve his dream.

There were long preparations for this ascent. And in the end Mark conquered the most high mountain in the world. Its rise lasts 40 days. After returning home, he was personally congratulated by the Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Stephen Hawking

A world-famous theoretical physicist, he did extensive research on the theory of black holes and the Big Bang theory. In the early 1960s, signs of a lateral trend began to appear. amyotrophic sclerosis. This later led to paralysis.

In 1963, doctors believed Hawking had two years to live. In 1985, Stephen lost the ability to speak as a result of a series of operations, but his family gave him a speech synthesizer. Despite his disability, Stephen leads active life. In 2007, a zero-gravity flight was carried out inside an airplane.

In 1965 he married Jane Wilde. But in 1990 he divorced. And in 1995 he married his nurse. He lived with her for 11 years and divorced in 2006. From first marriage 3 children were born.

Jessica Long (Tatyana Olegovna Kirillova)

Tatyana was born in the Irkutsk region. Small children were absent at birth tibia. Her mother left her in an orphanage. After that, she was adopted by the Long family from America. At 18 months old, her legs had to be amputated.

She began using prosthetics to walk. Despite the absence of legs, Tatyana was involved in many sports. Since the beginning of 2002, she began training in her grandfather's pool. A year later she became the best swimmer of 2003. At the age of 12, she won three gold medals.

Long beat 18 world records 15 of them have not been beaten to this day. In 2013, she went to the Irkutsk region to see her biological parents.

Tatiana McFadden

Another Tatyana, also of Russian origin. Her fate has much in common with Long's. In 1989, at birth, her mother abandoned her, as a result of which Tatyana ended up in an orphanage. In 1994, she was adopted by Deborah McFadden.

The adoptive mother begins to introduce the girl to various types sports to strengthen her body. At the age of 15 he competes in the Paralympic Games in Athens.

Eric Weihenmayer

Born in 1968 in New Jersey. At the age of 13, he lost his sight. But he did not despair and worked hard on himself. He achieved great results in wrestling. He competed on behalf of his state in the championship. I was studying the following types sports:

• Skiing;
• Parachuting;
• Diving;
• Rock climbing.

The first and last blind man to conquer Everest. In addition to all his achievements, Eric lectures and writes books, and popularizes sports.

It's no secret that in modern world There is a certain “beauty standard”. And if you want to succeed, to become famous, be kind enough to meet this standard. However, it is very pleasant that from time to time people appear who say to hell with all these standards and conventions and simply go towards their goal no matter what. Such people deserve respect.

Winnie Harlow

A professional model originally from Canada, who suffers from vitiligo, a skin pigmentation disorder associated with a lack of melanin. This disease is expressed almost only in external effects and has almost no cure. Vinny dreamed of becoming a model since childhood and persistently pursued her goal. As a result, she became the first girl in serious modeling business with such a disease.

Peter Dinklage

He is best known for his role as Tyrion Lannister in the series Game of Thrones. Dinklage was born with hereditary disease- achondroplasia, leading to dwarfism. His height is 134 cm. Despite the fact that both his parents are of average height, as is his brother Jonathan.

RJ Mitt

He is best known for his role as Walter White Jr. in the television series Breaking Bad. Like his character in the TV series Breaking Bad, Mitt suffers from childhood cerebral palsy. Due to cerebral palsy, signals reach the brain more slowly, since at birth his brain was damaged due to lack of oxygen. As a result of his musculoskeletal system and the ability to control one's muscles were impaired. For example, the hand twitches uncontrollably. However, this does not in the least prevent the 23-year-old guy from acting in films and producing films.

Henry Samuel

Better known by his pseudonym Seal. British singer and songwriter, winner of three Grammy music awards and several Brit Awards. The scars on his face are the result skin disease, known as discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). He suffered from this disease as a teenager and suffered greatly due to the scars that appeared on his face. Now the singer is sure that they give him a certain charm.

Forest Whitaker

American actor, director, producer. Winner of Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA and Emmy awards. He became the fourth African American to win an Oscar for best male role. Forest suffers from ptosis in his left eye - congenital disease oculomotor nerve. However, many critics and viewers often note that this gives it a certain mystery and charm. At the same time, the actor himself is considering the possibility of corrective surgery. True, according to his statement, the purpose of the operation is not cosmetic at all, but purely medical - ptosis worsens the field of vision and contributes to the degradation of vision itself.

Jamel Debbouze

French actor, producer, showman of Moroccan origin. In January 1990 (that is, at the age of 14), Jamel injured his hand while playing on the train tracks in the Paris metro. As a result, the arm has stopped developing and he cannot use it. Since then he almost always keeps right hand in the pocket. However, this does not in the least prevent him from remaining one of the most sought-after actors in France to this day.

Donald Joseph Qualls

Better known as DJ Qualls, he is an American actor and producer. Qualls' most popular role is considered to be the title role in Edward Decter's Tough Guy. Many who see him in films cannot help but notice Qualls' unusual thinness. The reason for this is cancer. At age 14, Qualls was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphogranulomatosis ( malignancy lymphoid tissue). The treatment turned out to be quite successful, and after two years of fighting the disease, remission occurred. This episode in his life served as the beginning of DJ’s activities to support the foundation, which is fighting this disease.

Zinovy ​​Gerdt

A magnificent Soviet and Russian theater and film actor, People's Artist of the USSR. In addition to his acting career, Zinovy ​​Efimovich, like many in those days, had to engage in other, not so peaceful activities; he was a participant in the Great Patriotic War. February 12, 1943, on the outskirts of Kharkov, while clearing enemy minefields for passage Soviet tanks, he was seriously wounded in the leg by a fragment of a tank shell. After eleven operations, Gerdt was spared his damaged leg, which has since been 8 centimeters shorter than the healthy one and forced the artist to limp heavily. It was difficult for him to even just walk, but the actor did not slack and did not spare himself on the set.

Sylvester Stallone

A striking example of the fact that any disadvantage, if desired, can be turned into an advantage. At the birth of Sylvester, doctors, using obstetric forceps, injured him, damaging facial nerves. The result is partial paralysis of the lower left side of the face and slurred speech. It would seem that you can forget about an acting career with such problems. However, Sly still managed to break through, choosing the role of a brutal guy who doesn’t need to talk much on camera, his muscles will do everything for him.