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Luther College speakers say concentrate on abilities, not disabilities

Posted: Thu, Apr 18, 2013 6:20 AM
Chris Norton

Wednesday's Disability Awareness Day at Luther College celebrated achievements, rather than concentrating on the hurdles we face.

As Decorah HIgh School sophomore Lydia Dawley put it, "Everyone is capable if you believe in them."  Dawley suffers from cerebral palsy, but pointed out that "The part of my brain that controls my sense of humor wasn't damaged."  She praised her parents for their support, saying they supported her efforts to overcome the brain damage she suffered when being born.  Dawley says she now leads a productive life, using assisted technology to communicate.  "The wheelchair doesn't define us," she says of people with CP.

Luther College junior Chris Norton says after a football injury left him paralyzed from the neck down, he worked hard to recover.  He credits his family.  Norton's father told him, "Do not let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do."  Norton still spends 30 hours a week on therapy two and a half years after the accident.  Disabilities are "a circumstance," says Norton, adding "What I can control is what I do today."

Norton concludes with a message for everyone: "We all have the ability to overcome anything."