Pistorius (right) with three athletes representing South Africa in the Summer Olympics [by Brandon Wiggins] When Oscar Pistorius was born with fibular hemimelia — defective leg bones — his parents faced a difficult decision. They could have doctors amputate both of Oscar’s legs below his knees or have him spend his life in a wheelchair. […]

When Alice-Lyle Hickson’s youngest son, William, was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease in 2007, a year after he was born, she wasn’t sure where to turn. [by Florence Bryan] Hickson, who lives in Columbia, S.C., worried it would be difficult to find a support system of families who also have children with mitochondrial disease. With two […]

Actor and star of Glee, Lauren Potter, with her castmates after winning an Emmy [by Melanie Johnson] Being a working actor in Hollywood is difficult enough, but an actor with a disability may face even more of a challenge to land an agent, audition or job. Sometimes an actor with a disability, namely Breaking Bad’s […]

Philip (left) and mother Jane (right) Blount, founders of the Bridges Program of Philips Academy [by Brandon Wiggins]

Sisters Cassie (left) and Coco (right) Ferguson Ten-year-old Coco Ferguson proudly waves a spiral notebook in the air. “I drew Reshiram,” she says with a grin. On the page in front of her is a black-and-white sketch of the draconian Pokémon. For Coco, formally called Kristen, life’s greatest pleasure is allowing her imagination to take […]

Lauren Fayerman is not your idea of the typical professional dancer. Although Fayerman, who has Down syndrome, might face different challenges than other dancers, her passion for the craft has no difference from that of her fellow dancers. Ever since her childhood, Fayerman, now 24, always knew she wanted to be on stage, and she […]