There’s a large amount of focus on the lack of representation of disabilities in the celebrity world and it’s often hard for someone with a disability to recognise themselves in many famous actors, singers, or sports stars.
However, there are many individuals who we see in print and on TV today that you may not know have some sort of disability. Even though the disabled community could definitely be better represented in popular culture, it’s not as uncommon as we may think.
Only a few times a year are we reminded that celebrities are human too. We only have to look as far as Billy Connelly and Michael J Fox, both well-respected comedians and actors who were both diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, something that they will have to live with for the rest of their lives. They’ve both made a number of appearances since their diagnosis and Billy Connelly has even continued with stand-up gigs and tv, highlighting the disabling characteristics of the disease.
Who Are They?
Robin Williams – Before his death in 2014, Robin had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s as well as having grown up with ADHD as a child and he had also developed bipolar disease as an adult.
Daniel Radcliffe – You wouldn’t know when he’s on-screen playing wizards but Daniel suffers from Dyspraxia which is a neurological condition, impairing organisation and movement skills.
Elton John – The global singing icon suffered from epilepsy for years and some of his seizures would be so severe that on occasion, he would turn blue.
Stevie Wonder – The one that most people tend to know about, Stevie Wonder has been blind since he was a baby but still managed to push through to be a fantastic pianist and singing sensation.
Millie Bobby Brown – The popular Stranger Things actress suffers from partial hearing loss and struggles to hear herself and her co-stars during filming and rehearsing.
Lenin Moreno – One you many have not heard of but equally in the limelight is the Ecuadorian President who also happens to be a paraplegic and is subsequently a wheelchair user. Ecuador, in turn had increased amenities and facilities for disabled people.
RJ Mitte – Most famous for his role as Walter White in breaking bad, RJ Mitte is an actor living with Cerebral Palsy.
Stephen Hawking – Probably the most well known in the disabled community, the theoretical physicist was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease aged just 21. With the aid of a powerchair and computer to help his travel and talk, he continued to use his excellent mind until his death in 2018 aged 76.
There’s still a way to go until disabilities are represented as they should be, but there are inspirational people out there who have pushed through and followed their dreams.
