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The Trailblazer Series: The Intellectuals

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Earlier this month, we continued with our Trailblazer series with the sports star instalment. In this feature, we highlighted some of the world’s most talented sportsmen and women who also happen to have a disability, chronic condition or learning difficulty.

Throughout 2023, we’ll be continuing the series to highlight the successes of disabled individuals to prove that disability does not equal inability.

The Trailblazer Series: Let’s meet the intellectuals

Stephen Hawking

Steven Hawking

© Getty Images

Stephen Hawking, who lived from January 8, 1942, to March 14, 2018, was one of the most well-known scientists in history. Due to ALS, he was verbally impaired, therefore, Prof. Hawking had to use a customized wheelchair that had a computer placed on it that could speak for him. 

Hawking was a renowned theoretical physicist who made important discoveries about the universe’s operation. One of many of his significant scientific accomplishments is the discovery of Hawking radiation. Additionally, in 1974, Professor Stephen Hawking was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). In 2009, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest, st civilian honour. He also received numerous accolades for his contributions to science. He might be the most well-known disabled person in the entire globe.

Helen Keller

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Helen Keller

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Helen Keller (June 27, 1880–June 1, 1968) is arguably the best-known representative of people with disabilities. At the age of 19 months, she developed a disease that left her deaf and blind. Keller continued to become the first deaf-blind graduate in history. The Story of My Life, Helen Keller’s autobiography, is regarded as a classic work of English literature. She traversed the globe in support of causes like socialism, women’s suffrage, labour rights, and antimilitarism. 

Nicholas Vujicic 

Nicholas vujicic trailblazer

© Sebastian Derungs

Nick Vujicic was born in Melbourne, Australia. He was born without arms or legs due to the unusual condition known as phocomelia. Nick went on to graduate from Griffith University at the age of 21 despite all the challenges his condition presents.  Nick is the creator of “Attitude is Altitude” and a well-known motivational speaker across the world.

Samantha Renke

Samantha Renke Trailblazer

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Samantha Renke is a presenter, disability activist, inclusion and equality consultant, keynote speaker and columnist for the Metro newspaper in the UK. Samantha has dedicated her career to changing the workplace for disabled people and encouraging better representation of disabilities in the media. Now, Renke is the Disability Lead at Paramount, The Diversity Trust and UNLRN.

John Nash

John Nash

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John Nash was a world-renowned mathematician. He won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1994 for pioneering the analysis of equilibrium in the theory of non-cooperative games. In 1959, Nash was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Despite his ongoing battle with his disease, Nash excelled in mathematics. He taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Princeton University. The Oscar-winning film A Beautiful Mind was based on the life of John Nash (1998). Russel Crowe played Nash, and Ron Howard beautifully directed this masterpiece.

Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo trailblazer

© The University of Texas

Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter who was six years old when she was diagnosed with polio. Her condition caused her right leg to become shorter and thinner than her left. In 1925, Kahlo was involved in an accident that exacerbated her condition. She spent the majority of her life in bed, in excruciating discomfort. Despite this, Kahlo went on to become one of the most recognized artists and a cultural icon.

Frida Kahlo’s most famous works include Henry Ford Hospital (1932), My Birth (1932), Self-Portrait on the Borderline Between Mexico and the United States (1932), Memory, the Heart (1937), What the Water Gave Me (1938), The Two Fridas (1939), Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird (1939), and Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird (1939). (1940).

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 Louis Braille

Louis Braille

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Louis Braille became blind in one eye, at the age of three, as a result of an accident. This led Braille Louis Braille to devise a reading and writing method for the visually impaired. This tactile approach is known as Braille language. Braille began working on his touch-based programming while still a student. He won a scholarship from the Royal Institute for Blind Youth. Braille originally revealed his code system in 1824.

 

 

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Culture

The African Artists with disabilities changing the Narrative

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The African Artists with disabilities changing the Narrative, one step at a time.

Calvin Ratladi

Born in Witbank, Mpumalanga Province on January 29, 1991, Calvin Ratladi is a South African powerhouse. Not only is he a SAFTA-winning artist (2022) for his captivating performance in the historical drama series Shaka iLembe, but he’s also a prolific writer, director, and champion for disability inclusion in the arts.

Ratladi’s artistic journey began in 2010 with the establishment of the Calvin Ratladi Foundation, a testament to his dedication to nurturing artistic expression. He holds a B.Tech degree in Drama from the Tshwane University of Technology and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree at UP.

Adept at captivating audiences on both stage and screen, Ratladi boasts an impressive theatre career dating back to 2013. He breathed life into diverse characters, from Animus & Ensemble in Dis[illusion] to Estragon in Waiting for Godot. From 2017 to 2018, he delivered a powerful performance as Man in Human Pieces II, further solidifying his versatility.

Ratladi’s talents extend far beyond acting. He’s a skilled writer and director, having helmed productions like King Lear (2016), Silent Scars (2017), and The Dead Chant in Death (2018). His 2019 work, Nongqawuse, showcased his ability to both write and direct.

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Ratladi’s dedication to social causes is evident. In 2022, he received the Outstanding Person with a Disability award at the SAFTAs. He’s also the recipient of the prestigious Naledi Award and the 2019 Lesedi Spirit of Courage Award, becoming the first Black recipient in the award’s history.

Ratladi’s literary prowess extends beyond scripts. He’s the author of “The Ram And Its Behind” and co-authored “Roots in The Sky” and “MaNgoyi – The Life of Lilian Ngoyi.” Additionally, he serves as the curator of the international theatre project A Gathering in a Better World (GIABW).

Calvin Ratladi is a true renaissance man of the South African arts scene, consistently pushing boundaries and inspiring others with his multi-faceted talent and unwavering commitment to social change.

Victor Sitali

Born and raised in Zambia, Victor Sitali now paints his vibrant vision from his Dubai studio. Deaf since early childhood, Sitali discovered his artistic voice at the age of 27. His motto, “My voice is heard through the work of my hands,” speaks volumes about the power of art in his life.

Mentored by British artist Trevor Waugh, Sitali’s work focuses on capturing the essence of Africa through portraits, landscapes, and the captivating beauty of birds and eyes. He’s a master of multiple mediums, wielding oil paints, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, and charcoal with equal skill.

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In 2013, he won “Best Artist” and “Highly Recommended” awards at the first Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival. His talent shone internationally as well, receiving an honorable mention at the International Emerging Artists Award. A highlight of his career came in 2019 with selection for the prestigious 12th Florence Biennale.

Sitali’s artistic journey extends beyond the canvas. From 2011 to 2014, he honed his skills at Mawaheb from Beautiful People. In 2017, he graduated with a degree in Graphic Design from SAE Institute, Dubai. 

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Today, his passion extends to fostering creativity in others. He conducts workshops on art and sign language, sharing his talents and experiences in schools and art spaces across the UAE.

Sitali’s passion for photography complements his paintings. He freelances for fashion and art events, capturing the vibrancy of the region’s creative scene. His artistic portfolio continues to flourish, as he puts in efforts to attain greater heights. 

Prince Nahimana

Prince Nahimana, a deaf Rwandan artist, has carved a space for himself and countless others in the world of art. Despite facing communication barriers and a lack of resources, Nahimana’s artistic passion blossomed at a young age. 

Today, at 34, he is the driving force behind the Kigali Deaf Art Gallery, a platform not just for his own work, but for 11 deaf artists to showcase their talents and Rwandan heritage through paintings, sculptures, and fashion.

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Source: Facebook

Nahimana’s vision extends beyond personal success. He aspires to shatter the silence by advocating for sign language as a fundamental right and equipping the deaf community with the tools they need to thrive. His dream is to establish an art training center for deaf children, nurturing their creativity and fostering a path towards self-sufficiency.

By: Yahuza Bawage

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Life, struggles, and triumphs of Jessica Long

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Born in Siberia, Russia, Jessica Long faced an uphill battle from the start. Fibular hemimelia, a rare condition affecting her leg development, presented an immense challenge during her childhood. 

Jessica’s young mother, overwhelmed by the situation, made the difficult decision to place her in an orphanage. But hope would later arrive for 13-month-old Jessica, when Beth and Steve Long, a couple from Baltimore, Maryland, adopted her.

Years later, Jessica found herself growing up in a new home, and she soon embraced life in America through exploring various sports, including gymnastics, ice skating, rock climbing, and even trampolines.

Amidst difficulties, Jessica persevered. This resilience, coupled with her unwavering determination, led her to the pool. It was in the water that Jessica truly found her calling.

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The path wasn’t without roadblocks. However, her inherent strength and unwavering spirit propelled her forward. Soon enough, Jessica was recognized as Maryland’s Female Swimmer of the Year with a Disability.

At the young age of 12, Jessica’s competitive career reached a defining moment at the 2004 Athens Paralympics. Having only honed her skills for two years, she defied expectations and stunned the world by claiming three gold medals. This accomplishment, even surpassing the aspirations of swimming legend Michael Phelps (with whom she would later train for Rio 2016), and transformed Jessica as a force to be reckoned with.

Jessica’s journey has not been solely about medals. Her 23 gold medals for Team USA made her one of the most decorated international athletes. However, beyond the accolades, she has transcended her victory to become a symbol of inspiration for future generations.

“The only disability in life is a negative attitude”, she often voiced.

Jessica has since overcome her physical limitations and become resilient enough to chase her dreams, no matter the obstacles. Her achievements stand as a powerful reminder that disability isn’t the end of life. With an unwavering determination and a positive outlook, persons with disabilities can also become great and influential people across the world.

By: Yahuza Bawage

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Culture

Fannie Lou Hamer: A Powerful Voice in the Fight for Civil and Women’s Rights

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On March 8th, International Women’s Day, is a day of commemoration, advocacy, and protest. On this day, we remember all those women who gave their lives, efforts, and dreams to achieve a better life for themselves and for all. These brave women have left an indelible mark on history. One of these heroines was Fannie Lou Hamer, an American activist who fought for women’s rights and universal suffrage. Despite her disability and the violent racism she faced, she managed to bring about change in the state of Mississippi.

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First years

Fannie Lou Hamer, born on October 6, 1917, in the Mississippi Delta, a southern state with a history of slavery, experienced the daily impact of racial segregation, which was theoretically abolished. Lou grew up in poverty as the daughter of cotton pickers. At the age of six, she followed the same path and began working in the fields alongside her parents. Fannie attended a one-room schoolhouse meant for the children of farmers, which only operated during the winter (between harvests). It was there that she developed a deep love for reading and poetry. Unfortunately, at the age of 12, she had to leave school to support her family. During those years, she contracted polio, which left her with a disability, making it difficult for her to walk normally, a challenge she faced throughout her life.

Despite her precarious circumstances, Fannie continued to hone her reading and writing skills. In 1944, she was selected as a timekeeper on a plantation. A year later, she married Perry Hamer, a farmer on the Marlow plantation, where they lived for 18 years.

Fight for civil rights

Fannie Lou Hamer began her interest in civil rights in 1950 when she attended the Regional Council of Negro Leadership (RCNL). Local leaders provided messages of hope, struggle, and social reform during these gatherings, which deeply resonated with Fannie and led her to become part of the movement.

Indignant at the government’s efforts to disenfranchise people of color, Fannie decided to act. Along with 17 volunteers, she registered as a suffragist at the Indianola courthouse. Unfortunately, an unfair literacy test denied them the right to vote. This act sparked controversy in the city, and authorities began harassing this small group of activists. As a result, Hamer was fired from her job, and most of her belongings were confiscated. Fannie and her husband relocated to Ruleville, Mississippi, to start anew.

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The struggle didn’t end in Indianola. A year later, Hamer completed a voter registration program in Charleston. She also participated in a peaceful demonstration with a group of women at a “whites-only” restaurant, which landed her in jail. There, she was brutally beaten and mistreated, resulting in lasting physical effects. Undeterred, Fannie decided to go further. Fed up with bureaucratic obstacles preventing Black voter participation, she co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) in 1964. This movement aimed to encourage Black political participation while challenging the Democratic Party figures in Mississippi

The fight for change

The MFDP, in collaboration with hundreds of young volunteers who arrived in Mississippi during the Freedom Summer, made the decision to challenge the political representation of the so-called ‘regular’ state party at the national convention of the Democratic Party, scheduled for August in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Fannie, along with several volunteers, traveled to New Jersey to express the difficult situation faced by Black residents of Mississippi. Her speech moved many, but due to the actions of President Lyndon Johnson, who sought a peaceful and uncontroversial resolution, the MFDP’s intentions were thwarted.

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Finally, Walter Mondale, then Attorney General of Minneapolis, awarded all the seats to the general party and only two to the MFDP. Party members, after a civil rights march, decided to reject this ‘charity.’ Mrs. Hamer declared, ‘We didn’t come here to have only two seats because we are all tired.’ Despite this setback, Fannie Lou Hamer’s fight continued, and she and her party persisted in changing a backward, racist, and unjust system. Thanks to her tireless advocacy and nonconformity, the Democratic Party managed to reform itself by expanding the participation of women and minorities.

By: Álvaro Lago

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