FAMOUS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Tom Cruise, 1962-present, (learning disability) Actor. Born in Syracuse NEW YORK. His mother taught children who had dyslexia and other learning disabilities. She herself had dyslexia as did all her children. At age 11 his parents divorced and he and his sisters and mother lived in poverty in Kentucky. When he was 16 his mother remarried and his family moved to Glen Ridge NJ. He auditioned for a role in his school play and got it. Once he broke into movies other roles followed in quick succession. He was nominated for an Academy Award in 1996.   

Linda Bove, 1945-present, (hearing impairment), Bove who is deaf started on Sesame Street in 1971 and in 1976 she became a permanent member of the show. Also was the female lead in Spoon River Anthology. Her parents were also deaf. In college she majored in Library Science and took part in dramatics where she claimed her performances as Polly Peachum in Three Penny Opera. She has contributed greatly to children's theater and is one of the first five members who started Little Theater for the Deaf. She also is a member of the National Theaters of the Deaf. She has also appeared on Search for Tomorrow, Dick Cavett Show and Happy Days.

Albert Einstein, 1879-1955, (learning disability), Was one of the greatest scientists of all time. Best known for his theory of relativity.

CHER [Cherilyn Sarkisian LaPierre], 1946-present, (learning disability) Her success in music, movies, television, and on stage over nearly four decades qualifies her as one of the most enduring entertainers of our time.

Leonardo Da Vinci, 1452-1519, (dyslexia & epilepsy), One of the greatest painters and most versatile geniuses in history. He was one of the key figures of the Renaissance era. He was trained as a painter but he had other interests that he dealt with over the years. Many of his inventions and scientific ideas were centuries ahead of his time.

Robert (Bob) Dole, 1923-present, (physical impairment), World War II exploding shell fractured his spine, shattered his right shoulder. He returned home, went back to college and earned a law degree. He launched his political career in 1960 and was elected to the United State Senate in 1968. He later left the Senate to run for president of the United States.

Terry Fox, 1958-1981, (amputee), In 1977 he discovered he had malignant tumor in his right leg, the leg was amputated six inches above the knee. In 1979 he began training for his Marathon of Hope, a cross-Canada run to raise money for cancer research. During his training he ran 3,000 miles. In 1980 he ran an average 26 miles a day. After 143 days and 3,339 miles he had to stop due to the cancer spreading to his lungs. September 1980 he became the youngest companion of the Order of Canada in a special ceremony in his hometown of  Por Coquittan, B.C.  In 1981 Terry's hope of raising $1.00 from every Canadian to fight cancer was realized. September 1981 the First Annual Terry Fox Run, many people participated in the race.

Francisco Goya, 1746-1828, (hearing impairment), A leading Spanish painter, was one of the first masters of modern art. His full name was Jose' de Goya y Lucientes. In 1792 Goya became ill and gradually lost his hearing.

Greg Louganis, 1960-present, (learning disability), U.S. Olympic diver has dyslexia and HIV Positive.  Considered the greatest diver in history.

HOW DO YOU TREAT A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY - Like a Person- (Text taken from the Tampa Mayor's Alliance for Persons with Disabilities). 

For additional listings of famous people with disabilities visit their web site at: http://www.tampagov.net/dept_mayor/mayors_alliance/famous_persons/index.asp