We started this series on our Social Media outlets that run every Monday. This series features the amazing lives of people who are well-known who also happen to have (or had) a disability of some kind. The emphasis of this and our View From a Wheelchair series is to highlight that people live incredible lives with or without any disability. We all have things to cope with; some are just more apparent. Those things never define who we are. Rather it is what we do in life that matters. Much of what I post is from the internet, so I doubt that I have permission to post photos, but I will post the source when appropriate.
1/27/25
My first “mini-profile” is Dr. Stephen Hawking. Doctor Hawking was one of the most brilliant minds of all-time. He was a “theoretical physicist” whose work explored the universe, “black holes,” and time among many other things. He lived with ALS (AKA “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”) for decades and made many of his contributions typing one word at a time on the state of the art Assistive Technology of his era after he lost the ability to walk or speak without assistive devices. He wrote what he claimed was a book “for everyone” called A Brief History of Time. I made several attempts to read it—let me rephrase that—I made several attempts to UNDERSTAND what he wrote, but it was way beyond me. Dr. Hawking’s intellect was beyond genius. However, it was his refusal to give up on his life and his work even as his body continued to function less and less effectively. He was truly the embodiment of one of my favorite sayings: “NEVER give up!” He was portrayed in the 2014 film The Theory of Everything by Eddie Redmayne. Mr. Redmayne won an academy award for his performance, and I personally found the film enlightening.
2/3/25
It is Monday so it is time to feature someone who has lived incredibly well with a disability. Last week Bill Gates acknowledged that he would probably be diagnosed with autism if he was a child today.
2/10/25
MONDAY! Time to celebrate life even under difficult situations. Today we proudly feature Micheal J. Fox, one of my favorite actors. Mr. Fox rose to stardom playing Alex Keaton in the sitcom “Family Ties,” but took off as “Marty McFly,” playing opposite Christopher Lloyd in the outrageous “Back to the Future” series. Mr. Fox was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease at 29 years of age, but this did not slow him down. He went on to establish the Micheal J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which in turn has become “…the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s drug development…” (https://www.michaeljfox.org/michaels-story). The website continues: “After getting the Foundation on a steady course, Michael agreed to return to acting in supporting roles — as long as he could incorporate his PD symptoms into the characters he played.” Thank you, Mr. Fox, for the many years of wonderful characters and more importantly, your dedication and advocacy for those with Parkinson’s Disease and other disabilities.
2/17/25
We start our week this time with the truly amazing and inspirational life of world-renowned classical violinist Itzhak Perlman. Mr. Perlman’s career in classical music is legendary and I recall listening to his albums with my father as I write this. Mr. Perlman always played his masterpieces from a seated position because he had polio as a child. He moved with the aid of crutches but now uses a power scooter. He spoke openly about the challenges that he faces everyday as he travels the world in the article linked below. Thank you, Mr. Perlman, for your grit, determination and beautiful music!
https://www.jta.org/2017/02/15/ny/itzhak-perlman-on-accessibility-challenges-2
2/24/25
Many thanks to UCP for the inspiration for this week’s amazing person. We share UCP’s post about the one and only Ray Charles! Truly amazing. From UCP National:
United Cerebral PalsyUnited Cerebral Palsy 8,113 followers8,113 followers 4d •
4 days ago
Ray Charles: A Legendary Musician & Disability Advocate
Ray Charles (1930–2004) was a groundbreaking musician whose influence shaped soul, R&B, and jazz. Despite losing his sight at a young age due to glaucoma, Charles mastered the piano and developed a signature sound that blended gospel, blues, and country music.
His talent earned him 17 Grammy Awards and a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Beyond music, he was a strong advocate for accessibility and opportunity for people with disabilities, paving the way for future artists with disabilities.
His legacy lives on, proving that talent and perseverance know no limits.
3/3/25
Special thanks to my sister for suggesting the person for this week’s Amazing Monday feature. Marlee Matlin is amazing for so many reasons: she made her film debut in Children of a Lesser God in 1986. She was 21 years old and became the youngest actress to with the Academy Award for Best Actress. She is also the first deaf performer to win an Academy Award! According to biography.com: “The youngest of three children, Marlee Matlin was only 18 months old when an illness permanently destroyed all hearing in her right ear, and 80 percent of the hearing in her left ear, making her legally deaf (https://www.biography.com/actors/marlee-matlin).” The article continues: “Matlin’s hard-working parents chose to educate Marlee in their community rather than sending her to a special school. Matlin began learning to use sign language around the age of 5, but her parents struggled. ‘[My parents] learned some sign language to communicate with me, but they raised me with a great deal of love and respect, and it wasn’t easy for them because of who I was—being a girl, being very stubborn, being very strong willed, being very outspoken, and very independent,” Matlin explained to Exceptional Parent magazine.’ People.com (https://people.com/why-marlee-matlin-will-always-advocate-for-the-deaf-community-exclusive-8600671) reports that: “For decades, Marlee Matlin has been using her platform as an Oscar-winning actress to help the deaf and hard of hearing — and she’s not about to stop any time soon.” Children of a Lesser God is now officially on my “watchlist.” Mahalo Ms. Matlin!
3/10/25
Today we turn the spotlight to RJ Mitte III for our Amazing Monday feature. According to Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RJ_Mitte), Mister Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age 3. He is an actor and producer who is perhaps best known for his character Walter White, Jr, in the show Breaking Bad. His character in the also has cerebral palsy. Mr. Mitte has been a vocal advocate in Hollywood for actors with disabilities and was named a celebrity ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy. Mahalo Mr. Mitte!
3/17/25
It is “Amazing Monday” and today we celebrate none other than the incomparable Ludwig Van Beethoven. Beethoven was certainly one of, and arguably the best, composers of all time. He was reportedly born in 1770, although he claimed to be born in 1772 (https://www.biography.com/musicians/ludwig-van-beethoven). He was apparently raised by an abusive father: “Sometime between the births of his two younger brothers, Beethoven’s father began teaching him music with an extraordinary rigor and brutality that affected him for the rest of his life.
Neighbors provided accounts of the small boy weeping while he played the clavier, standing atop a footstool to reach the keys, his father beating him for each hesitation or mistake (Ibid, Biography). He began to experience issues with his hearing at about 26 year of age (https://www.classicfm.com/composers/beethoven/guides/deaf-hearing-loss-composing/). He was already an accomplished composer and performer when he began to lose his hearing in about 1796. “Around the age of 26, Beethoven began to hear that ringing and buzzing in his ears. In 1800, aged 30, he wrote from Vienna to a childhood friend – by then working as a doctor in Bonn – saying that he had been suffering for some time:
“For the last three years my hearing has grown steadily weaker. I can give you some idea of this peculiar deafness when I must tell you that in the theatre I have to get very close to the orchestra to understand the performers, and that from a distance I do not hear the high notes of the instruments and the singers’ voices… Sometimes too I hardly hear people who speak softly. The sound I can hear it is true, but not the words. And yet if anyone shouts I can’t bear it (Ibid, Classicfm.com).”
Yet, some of his most beautiful works were composed as his ability to hear declined. My personal favorites are “Moonlight Sonata,” composed in 1801 (https://www.popularbeethoven.com/9-facts-about-beethovens-moonlight-sonata/,) and “Fur Elise,” composed in 1810 (https://www.classicfm.com/composers/beethoven/fur-elise-meaning-who-is-elise/). However, his famous 9th Symphony, is considered by some to be his crowning masterpiece, yet “…Beethoven himself never actually heard it (https://www.classicfm.com/composers/beethoven/music/symphony-no-9-d-minor/).
Truly “Amazing.”
3/24/25
“Yesterday, December 7th, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. (https://time.com/4593483/pearl-harbor-franklin-roosevelt-infamy-speech-attack https://time.com/4593483/pearl-harbor-franklin-roosevelt-infamy-speech-attack/)” Those immortal words were spoken of course by then President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and acknowledged the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawai’i. The world knows that, but remains less known is that President Roosevelt was partially paralyzed in 1921 either by polio or Guillain-Barre syndrome (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_D._Roosevelt). He was president from 1933 until his death in 1945. He served almost four terms and was hardly ever photographed standing. He relied on a wheelchair for mobility, but this never stopped him from being one of our most important—even if controversial—Presidents in our history. His policies are now either championed or scorned by modern views, but like him or not, he was President during the end of the depression, end of prohibition, and the entrance of the United States into World War II. Many of his policies are now widely debated, but he did establish one program that millions of Americans rely on: Social Security. He did so with “A View From a Wheelchair.”
3/31/25
It is another Amazing Monday! My thanks again to my sister Susan for the suggestion for this week’s “Amazing Monday” tribute. It is not an easy task to become a Major League Baseball player. According to sportslawblogger.com (https://sportslawblogger.com/what-percentage-of-baseball-players-reach-the-main-leagues.html): “There have only been 20,459 Major League Baseball players, counting every person who played in a single game up to the guy who played the most (2/14/24). It is a truly incredible accomplishment to reach the Majors. There has only been 322 “no-hitters” (single pitcher holding the opponent to no hits for 9 innings) in the Major League archives (https://en.as.com/mlb/how-many-mlb-pitchers-have-thrown-no-hitters-n-2/). Pitching a no-hitter is an awesome accomplishment. Jim Abbott pitched a no-hitter for the New York Yankees in 1993 against the Cleveland Indians. The fact that he did this WITH ONE ARM makes this a truly AMAZING achievement. Abbott was born in 1967 without a right hand, yet pitched in the Major Leagues from 1988 to 1999 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Abbott). According to a youtube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR80UQx4FKc) Abbott states that he visited at least one child with a disability on every road trip of his career and continues to provide charity work. I remember watching him pitch. Simply Amazing!
4/7/25
It is another “Amazing Monday! This week we feature Bonner Paddock. Who? Oh, Mr. Paddock only climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. That was not enough; he followed that feat up by completing a triathlon. Not any triathlon, the IRON MAN Triathlon in Kona, Hawai’i. What is commonly thought of as the “Toughest Race on Earth” (https://www.explore.com/how-man-cerebral-palsy-climbed-kilimanjaro-and-finished-toughest-race-earth/), it is comprised of a 2.4 mile open ocean swim followed by a 112 mile bicycle race across the Hawai’ian lava desert and culminated in a full marathon run along the coast of Hawai’i’s Big Island (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ironman_World_Championship). Yes, on the same day. In fact, I believe that there is a time limit to qualify as an “official” finisher. Both accomplishments are incredible in their own right, but to attempt BOTH, well, that might require a different adjective. The AMAZING part of the story is that Mr. Paddock has cerebral palsy. You read that right! His book One More Step details his, um, adventures. I had the honor of meeting Mr. Paddock at a speaking engagement in Honolulu many years ago (sponsored in part by UCPA Hawai’i) and found him to be as humble and genuine as he is amazing. He gave me an autographed copy of his book. He told Explore.com that: “As I write about in the book, “one more step” was a phrase that I used to push myself through these challenges I faced. But in truth, it’s not just limited to mountain climbing or races. CP, of course, is a condition in which muscles, the very building blocks of movement, aren’t communicating with the brain as they should be. As a result, every step that I take each day requires far more energy, focus, and control, than most people ever have to experience. Sure, I can think of the phrase “one more step” when I’m climbing a mountain or running a marathon, but on a daily basis, it’s something that I have to think of when I wake up in the morning and first get out of bed. To me, that’s what the words “one more step” are really about. They’re words that push me through the biggest of obstacles, along with the smallest.” His OM Foundation raises money for kids with special needs. Amazing.
4/14/25
I am genuinely surprised! I had planned to feature the incomparable Stevie Wonder (another Susan suggestion) for Amazing Monday this week, but happened to watch the Netflix miniseries All the Light We Cannot See, adapted from the novel by Anthony Doerr. Without playing spoiler, it is about a blind late teenager and a German soldier at the end of the Nazi occupation of France. Personally, I thought this was one of the best things I’ve seen on Netflix in years, but then I learned that it received generally bad reviews as I was researching the actresses for this post. Go figure.
At any rate, the series features a girl in her late teenage years along with flashbacks to when she was a 7-year-old girl. Aria Mia Loberti plays the older “Marie,” while Nell Sutton plays her younger self. Both actresses are legally blind. Loberti was: “Born with achromatopsia (a genetic condition that renders people unable to perceive colors), Loberti has minimal to no vision, based on the environment she’s in (https://thecinemaholic.com/all-the-light-we-cannot-see-aria-mia-loberti-blind/)”. Sutton was born with congenital glaucoma and is blind. This was Loberti’s acting debut and she was just phenomenal. The scenes of her reading braille and counting steps with her cane along with her facial reactions were simply incredible. However, as good as Loberti was, Sutton stole the show. Her father (Mark Ruffalo, proving to me that he is way more than a green bulked up “Hulk”) builds her a wooden model of the town they live in and shows her how to use her hands to learn the layout of the city. I don’t care what the critics said: that scene was pure magic. Thank you Ms. Loberti and young Ms. Sutton. Your performances and lives were and are, well, Amazing. Sorry Mr. Wonder, we will feature you next week!
4/28/25
It’s “Amazing Monday!” We all know the incredible story of Helen Keller. Keller was left deaf and blind at 19 months by what contemporary doctors believe may have been meningitis. She went on to graduate from Radcliffe College (part of Harvard University) and was an outspoken advocate for the rights of people with disabilities (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Keller). While her story is amazing in itself, how many people know that her famous teacher Anne Sullivan was partially blind herself and in fact attended the Perkins School for the Blind, the school that offered Keller her first formal education (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Sullivan). Sullivan contracted trachoma at age five and lost most of her sight. Several operations restored some of her vision, but she was totally blind at the time of her death. Sullivan taught finger spelling to a reportedly recalcitrant and stubborn Keller who was not catching on to what she was being taught until there was a major breakthrough (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Sullivan). Sullivan was reportedly finger spelling “W-A-T-E-R” while pouring water over Keller’s other hand. Keller finally realized that these strange sets of symbols represented things in her world and became an active and dedicated student. The rest, including an almost 50-year friendship between the ladies, is history. A history dictated by the amazing Anne Sullivan. Thanks again for the tip, Susan!
5/5/25
Let’s shift gears this week. Stephen Graham is a British actor whose name you might not recognize, but when you look at his film bio, you know that you have seen him. He just wasn’t a “household name actor”—until now. He co-created and starred in the very successful Netflix 4-part mini-series Adolescence. The premise is that his 13-year-old son is accused of murder. NO SPOILERS here, but DO NOT go to the restroom, get a snack or play with your cats during the last 10-minutes of episode one. I did and I only understood the social and deeply personal message of the series after doing some research and watching the show for a second time. The kid who plays Jamie, the teenager, was a first-time actor and was phenomenal. However, Mr. Graham’s performance was beyond description. His facial features say all you need to know. It is a “mature” show, but one parents of teenagers need to see. Oh! Why is Mr. Graham on this list? “Graham has dyslexia, (4), revealing in 2019 that Walters reads scripts for him and helps him decide whether to accept a role” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Graham). Walters is his wife. Amazing!
5/12/25
It is “Amazing Monday!” Nick Vujicic’s website (https://nickvujicic.com/), is still accepting speaking engagements, so it seems, thankfully, that reports of his death are a bit overstated! Wait, who is Nick Vujicic? Mr. Vujic is an Australian-American who was born in Melbourne, Australia, with terta-amelia syndrome, leaving him with no arms, very partial legs, including a partial foot with two fused toes. “An operation was performed to separate the toes so that he can use them as fingers. Vujicic refers to this foot as his “chicken drumstick (12, 10). This foot became his “universal limb”: he uses it to walk, jump, write, type, swim, surf and skateboard.”( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Vujicic). He was placed in special education despite his cognitive skills: “Initially, a Victoria state law prevented Nick from attending a mainstream school due to his physical disability in spite of a lack of mental impairment. However, Vujicic became one of the first physically disabled students integrated into a mainstream school once those laws changed” (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3607348/bio/). He was bullied in school and attempted to drown himself at age 10. Apparently his love for his parents changed his mind and he changed his life (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3607348/bio/). He has gone to serve his ministry and become a world-traveling speaker and best-selling author. I love this quote from Mr. Vujicic: “Often people ask how I manage to be happy despite having no arms and no legs. The quick answer is that I have a choice. I can be angry about not having limbs, or I can be thankful that I have a purpose. I chose gratitude” (https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1068789). Amazing attitude! Mr. Vujicic has been married for 13 years and has four children.
5/19/25
Sometimes the courage to speak up, share your struggles and inspire others makes you “infamous” rather than “famous.” Such is the case of the subject of this week’s “Amazing Monday” feature. Dr. Gregory Nelson he certainly has had an inspiring career and has had a positive impact on many lives. According to his bio on https://www.gregorypnelson.com: “Dr. Greg Nelson is a professional speaker, coach, professional musician, and author of “The Strategic Stop” – a guide to creating purposeful pauses for reflection and connection in our “always-on” society. He is recognized as an expert on leadership culture transformation innovatively illustrated with words and music and has an earned doctorate in personal and organizational effectiveness. He has worked with high-profile companies and organizations such as Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Fitbit, Amazon, Walmart, Lyft, American Express, Sutter Health, and Golden Gate University. He also consults with nonprofit organizations that are striving to stay relevant. He has delivered thousands of talks in his former career as a pastor and then as a full-time corporate keynote speaker and coach, to both small audiences and those in the thousands.” This portion of his life is certainly inspirational, but what comes next is…amazing!
I became acquainted with Dr. Nelson through my work with UCPA Hawai’i on LinkedIn. Dr. Nelson openly shared his recent diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. He has decided to publicly post his experiences and fears in order to raise awareness of the disease. This is part of one of his recent posts: “I know one thing for sure about leaders-the more courage they show, the more successful they are. And courage comes with vulnerability.
For example, I know a lot of people feel like they need to wait until they have a clear diagnosis of Alzheimer’s—or even once they do, they still hesitate to share it. Sometimes we’re afraid of burdening the people we love, adding stress to their lives, or being seen differently. I get all that.
But for me, staying silent didn’t feel like protection—it felt like disconnection.
And that’s not how I want to live.
So I made the choice to be open. Not just at the end of the journey, but right in the thick of it…
And most of all, I knew there’s no way to feel supported or loved… if no one knows what you’re going through.
Has it been easy? No. Vulnerability rarely is. But it’s been real. It’s been healing. And it’s made me feel more human, not less.”
Mahalo Dr. Nelson. Your openness, honesty, and message of hope are inspirational…and Amazing.
Follow his story here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorypnelson/recent-activity/all/
5/26/25
I would like to revisit a post from my “View From a Wheelchair” series to commemorate this very special Amazing Monday. The Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific is a beautiful tribute to those who fought for our freedom in many wars across the Pacific. There are other national cemeteries across the country: all reminding us that “freedom” is anything but free. The price is the lives of thousands of brave soldiers who either made the ultimate sacrifice and died for us or “came back” with wounds unimaginable to most of us. I personally have lived an amazing life so far…because of all of you and your families. Today, and every day, our thoughts, hearts, and thanks are with all of you. Aloha ‘Oe and mahalo.
6/4/25
Amazing Monday: The Amazing story of Bethany Hamilton is well-known in Hawai’i and in the surfing world but may not be as well known outside of these circles. Ms. Hamilton was born on Kauai in Hawai’i to parents that loved to surf. She was surfing by age 6 and entering competitions at 9-years-old. Then, the unthinkable happened: a 14-foot tiger shark attacked and took her left arm of at the shoulder when she was 13 years old! She was rushed to the hospital where her father was, scheduled for his own surgery. She was operated on in place of her father (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany_Hamilton). A shark taking your arm off would keep most people out of the water forever, but Ms. Hamiton was back on a surfboard…a month later! She went on to compete as a professional surfer, become a best-selling author, complete the surfing stunts in Soul Surfer, a movie based in her book, and an internationally sought speaker. She talks on her website about her faith got her through the most difficult times in her life and wants her site to be “a safe place for you to come and be encouraged. A place to get rad ideas on living a healthy life in faith, mind, body and spirit. I have seen more and more friends get messed up from social media and the junk content out there. My hope is this site can be a counter balance from all of that somewhat useless noise” (https://bethanyhamilton.com/) – the website seem to having intermittent issues loading. Wikipedia states that: “Hamilton is involved in numerous charitable efforts, including her own foundation, Friends of Bethany, [36] which reaches out to amputees and youth, encouraging them to overcome difficulties by offering hope through Jesus Christ. Using her platform as a professional athlete to promote living a fit and healthy lifestyle, Hamilton authored the book Body and Soul in 2014. In 2019, a surf documentary was made about her, Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable, [37] which was accompanied by a photo book and a children’s book.[38]
Within the Friends of Bethany Foundation, there are four different programs:
- Beautifully Flawed: retreat designed for young women ages 14–25 who have experienced traumatic limb loss. Six events hosted annually through this program which include: guests speakers, practical health and wellness tips which specifically account for limb loss, postural training, and surf lessons.[39]
- Shine Forth: Night filled with stories and inspiration to overcome, free community event to gather together and share comeback stories. Bethany also does a book signing at this event, which is hosted annually.[39]
- Anchored in Love: Conference for girls and young women ages 12 and up, one day event designed to help girls and young women discover their true beauty, purpose, and worth. Event is held annually in San Diego and features several guest speakers.[39]
- The Forge: Men’s retreat where young male amputees come and focus on faith, fitness, and healthy living. This program is run by Bethany, her husband, and friend/mentor Mike Coots.[39]”
There is a blog on her website that I was not able to access, but it talks about her experiences surfing 40-foot (Hawai’ian) at the famous Maui surf spot ironically called “Jaws!” Amazing.
6/9/25
Amazing Monday! Susan Boyle broke every mold that the entertainment business had when she appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009. She was 47 years of age when she appeared on a show that is typically geared for much younger talent. The almost pure disdain on the look of the judges when she came on stage was palpable. They clearly held no respect for a “middle-aged” woman working on making her dreams come true…and then, this happened… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS5Om47vsaA. She went on to become an international phenomenon selling millions of records worldwide. Her courage to show up on that stage is amazing enough, “but wait, there’s more!” Ms. Boyle has Asperger’s Syndrome!
Asperger’s Syndrome is now considered to be on the high functioning end of the Autism Spectrum Disorder. It was its own diagnosis prior to the release of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fifth Edition (DSM V). “Doctors used to consider Asperger’s and autism as separate conditions. But the 2013 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the standard book that mental health experts use, changed how the condition is classified.
Today, Asperger’s syndrome is technically no longer a diagnosis on its own. It’s part of the broader category of autism spectrum disorder(ASD). This group of related disorders shares some symptoms. Even so, lots of people still use the term Asperger’s. (https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/mental-health-aspergers-syndrome”) WebMD continues: Asperger’s Symptoms
Asperger’s symptoms start early in life. Most diagnoses happen between ages 5 and 9, although some people are adults before they get their diagnosis. No two people have the same symptoms. But they’re usually related to emotional, communication, and behavioral skills.
People with the disorder may:
- Have trouble making eye contact
- Feel and act awkward in social settings
- Have trouble responding to people in conversation
- Miss social cues that other people find obvious
- Struggle to read body language
- Don’t understand what facial expressions mean
- Show few emotions
- Speak in a flat, robotic tone
- Talk a lot about one topic such as rocks or football stats
- Repeat words, phrases, or movements
- Dislike change
- Keep the same schedule and habits, such as eating the same meals
Adult Asperger’s symptoms
No symptoms are specific to adults, though some are more common, including:
- Clumsiness
- Strong verbal skills
- Obsession with a topic
- Social difficulties
- Hypersensitivity
One of the diagnostic criteria for Asperger’s Syndrome prior to DSM V was average to above-average cognitive skills. Ms. Boyle was diagnosed with above average intelligence and Asperger’s Syndrome.
A 2014 People Magazine posts: ““I get depressed,” she explains. “I just go away, be myself. Then I come back to you. I always come back.”
Performing remains Boyle’s safest haven. “It never happens on stage,” she notes. “It seems to make me feel better When I’m up on stage, even if I’ve had a bad day, I can become a different person. I feel safe.” In the footlights, she says, “I don’t feel judged up there. I feel accepted.”
Boyle, who just wrapped up a U.S. tour, hopes she can bring some of the peace she feels on stage to her everyday life, but admits it’s a process. “I like to see myself as someone with a problem, but one I can solve,” she says. “It is definitely getting better. Since the diagnosis I’ve learned strategies for coping with it, and the best one is always to just walk away.”
The Grammy nominee, who has sold more than 19 million albums worldwide, also wants to use her unique position as an educational opportunity. “I want people to see how it is, to see that you shouldn’t judge.” She adds, “People with Asperger’s do put a barrier up because they don’t know how to trust people. I try not to. I want to let people in. https://people.com/celebrity/susan-boyle-confesses-aspergers-syndrome-makes-her-feel-like-king-kongs-mother/)”
Ms. Boyle told AP News: “she was glad she, and others, would now have a better understanding of the struggles she experiences.
“I would say I have relationship difficulties, communicative difficulties, which lead to a lot of frustration. If people were a bit more patient, that would help,” she told the newspaper.
“Asperger’s doesn’t define me. It’s a condition that I have to live with and work through, but I feel more relaxed about myself. People will have a much greater understanding of who I am and why I do the things I do. (https://apnews.com/article/4c85f48e20214a35ba39b1fd9fca231f)”
Ms. Boyle, your career, voice and courage are nothing short of AMAZING!
6/16/25
Amazing creative genius often comes with an equally dangerous and frightening dark side. Brian Wilson’s career, life and struggles are legendary for both. Mr. Wilson was a founding member of The Beach Boys. That might not be fair understatement: he is often credited a being the creative force behind the iconic band, writing, arranging and producing material for the group (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Wilson). The same article notes that he was adept at learning music “by ear” which is even more incredible given the fact that he was partially deaf. His deafness has been attributed to the physical abuse of his father, a claim that Mr. Wilson disputes: “My father hit me, but he didn’t hit my ear. I’ve never heard stereophonic sound ever in my life” (https://www.biography.com/musicians/brian-wilson).
The dark side of Mr. Wilson began just as The Beach Boys were reaching the pinnacle of their long career. “Wilson suffered from a major nervous breakdown five minutes into a flight to Houston for a concert dated December 23, 1964. According to Al Jardine: “We were really scared for him. He obviously had a breakdown. None of us had ever witnessed something like that.” The Houston press added that Brian had “started crying and making shrieking noises. He screamed into a pillow, spun out of his seat and sobbed on the cabin floor. https://iloveclassicrock.com/the-flight-that-changed-brian-wilsons-life/)” He stopped touring with the band and became more and more reclusive. He was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. He stated in 2006: “‘…for the past 40 years I’ve had auditory hallucinations in my head, all day every day, and I can’t get them out,” he told ABILITY Magazine. “Every few minutes the voices say something derogatory to me, which discourages me a little bit, but I have to be strong enough to say to them, “Hey, would you quit stalking me?… Don’t talk to me—leave me alone!” I have to say these types of things all day long. It’s like a fight.”
Hearing voices isn’t the only symptom Wilson said he experienced due to the mental health condition. “I get intense fear, too,” Wilson said. “It comes and goes. You get the feeling and it goes away.”
Wilson also shared that he struggled with depression. “Well my depression goes pretty low, pretty deep,” Wilson told ABILITY Magazine. “I get depressed to the point where I can’t do anything—I can’t even write songs, which is my passion.’” (https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/brian-wilsons-health-journey-and-dementia-diagnosis). Delusions coupled with mood disorders is not uncommon in schizoaffective disorder (explains Kenny Tello, PhD, psychologist at Orlando Health. https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/brian-wilsons-health-journey-and-dementia-diagnosis).
Unfortunately, Mr. Wilson’s downward spiral was aided by a well-chronicled addiction and abuse of many drugs. However, amazingly, he managed to recover, regain some musical notoriety and live again: “It is no secret that I have been living with mental illness for many decades,” Brian added. “There were times when it was unbearable, but with doctors and medications I have been able to live a wonderful, healthy and productive life with support from my family, friend and fans who have helped me through this journey” (https://www.biography.com/musicians/brian-wilson-mental-health-illness).
Where would we be without Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys? “God Only Knows!”
Thanks to my sister Susan for pushing me to write this piece!
6/23/25
Let’s stay with the very serious topic of mental health for today’s Amazing Monday. The name Billy Joel certainly conjures up amazing memories of incredible songs during “my” era of the mid-1970’s to 1980’s. He is known for many love ballads (“She’s Always a Woman to Me,” “You’re my home,”) and songs about introspection (“James” and even the song that gave him his moniker: “Piano Man.”) He also wrote many upbeat and catchy tunes like “Movin’ Out” and “Uptown Girl.” His music was not only pop, but courageously tackled issues like the Vietnam (“Goodnight Saigon”) and the decline of American industry (“Allentown”).
So, what has “The Piano Man” got to do with mental health issues? One need only to listen to, arguably, his most important song, “You’re Only Human (Second Wind) where he details his battle with depression and attempted suicide. In fact, he recently revealed that he attempted suicide on two occasions, winding up in a coma after his first attempt (https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-06-10/billy-joel-suicide-attempts-affair-coma). He “stated in a 1985 interview that he wrote the song as a way to help young people struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts [1] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You%27re_Only_Human_(Second_Wind)). “Joel donated all royalties from the song to the National Committee for Youth Suicide Prevention[3]” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You%27re_Only_Human_(Second_Wind)).
Mr. Joel speaks directly to his audience about feelings of depression and making a mess out of life. He also tackles suicidal ideation head-on and acknowledges that his audience probably doesn’t want to hear from him: “But I wouldn’t be telling you if I hadn’t been there myself” (https://genius.com/Billy-joel-youre-only-human-second-wind-lyrics).
You are not alone if you have these thoughts: “Suicidal ideation is common. One study reported that 10.6 million adults (people over age 18) in the United States, or 4.3% of the U.S. adult population, experienced suicidal thoughts. Among children (before age 18) in the United States, 18% thought about attempting suicide (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/suicidal-ideation). Remember Mr. Joel’s urging to: “Don’t forget your second wind
Sooner or later you’ll get your second wind” (https://genius.com/Billy-joel-youre-only-human-second-wind-lyrics). Dial 988 for help.
You CAN move on and have an Amazing life!
6/28/25
Amazing Monday: What do I want to do tonight? Maybe I will listen to an old Eagles or Kris Kristofferson record (remember those?!). Perhaps I will watch Phil eat on Netflix. Maybe I will call my sister in New York. Or do I want to hop in the car for a drive. No, maybe I will “simply turn the light on” and continue reading Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Wait, before I do that, it would probably be a good idea for me to make a copy of my “Amazing Monday” list.
These things are so routine and commonplace that we forget how truly Amazing they are. Incredibly, all of these options are available because of one person: Thomas Edison. Mr. Edison either invented or was instrumental in the advancement of all of these and many, many more. In fact, he had 1093 patented inventions at the end of his life (1). Let’s go back to my “things to do tonight list.” I will save the records for last. The “Kinetograph” (a working camera) and the “Kinescope” (a single person viewer) were the first iterations of motion pictures developed by Edison and William K.L. Dickson (2). While it is true that we have Alexander Graham Bell to thank for the telephone, Mr. Edison made significant improvements to the world-changing invention (3). My evening drive? Mr. Edison found a way to store energy in alkaline batteries and Henry Ford asked him to help with the Model T (2)! He also invented the “Electric Pen” which later became modern copiers. How often have we asked someone to “turn on the light?” You guessed it: Mr. Edison invented the first functional incandescent light bulb (1, 2, 3, 4).
Oh yeah! I can choose music tonight because Mr. Edison invented a small thing called the phonograph—the early record player! All of these things help make all of our lives amazing, but, and here is the point of this blog, Mr. Edison was completely deaf in one ear and partially deaf in the other ear! The cause of his deafness is debated, with some sources citing the effects of Scarlett Fever at age 12 and untreated middle ear infections due to mastoiditis (2, 4), or other causes (2). Absolutely incredible, or, simply “Amazing!”
7/7/25
Here is an Amazing Monday morning question for you: “What would you do if you were born with the ability to control only one of your limbs?” I know, that is a tough way to start the week, BUT, not if you were Christy Brown! Who? Mr. Brown was born in 1932 in Dublin, Ireland and passed in 1981 (1, 2, 3). He was born with severe cerebral palsy and was essentially paralyzed—with one notable exception. One of 12 surviving children (9 other siblings died in infancy—3), his parents refused to place him in an institution. Doctors at the time felt that he was also intellectually disabled, but his mother taught him to read and write (1). A social worker began to bring him books and painting materials when he was an adolescent, and he quickly developed into a serious artist (3). Some of his work is displayed here: https://christybrown.info/page5/index.html. He was also writing and learned to use a typewriter. A fellow author helped him to get some of his work published. He wrote several novels and books of poetry, however, his autobiography became a little movie known as My Left Foot! Amazing!