Aimee Mullins was born without shin bones. She went on to become the first double amputee to compete in Division I track and field. She set world records in the 1996 Paralympics. Mullins has been a featured speaker at at least a couple of TED Conferences, including one, very enjoyable talk, where she explains the advantages of having 12 pairs of legs.
Recently, TED posted a video of her most recent, and most compelling talk about the incredible ability of people to adapt and overcome adversity and the debilitating impact of our labeling people “disabled.” Says Mullin, “the only true disability is a crushed spirit.”
I hope you will take the time to listen to it.