A Small Tribute To Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela was not disabled, as far as anyone knew. He was not a disability rights campaigner.
He was, first and foremost, a campaigner for racial equality.
However, he was a shining example of forgiveness, and of great strength. Anyone who truly believes in human rights has to have admired him.
I am not a world leader. Nor am I South African. I am just a young disabled adult.
However, I like to think of myself as a human rights campaigner. I certainly admired Nelson Mandela.
And so, in a small tribute to Nelson Mandela, I write this tiny little blog post.
This is one of Mandela’s many inspirational quotes- the most relevant one I have seen so far to disability:
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
Do you know any other Mandela quotes that are particularly relevant to disability? Please leave them in the comments below.
Rather appropriately, we are currently in Disability History Month. So I also ask you, in the comments below, to leave the names of people throughout history who have done for disability equality what Mandela has done for race equality.
Also, of course, please use this thread for general tributes to Mandela.
RIP Sir. May all disability campaigners rise every time we fall, in your memory and by your example.
Same Difference 
There are few misfortunes in this world that you cannot turn into a personal trimuph if you have the iron will and the neccessary skill.
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http://dkarma.wordpress.com/2013/12/05/rip-nelson-mandela/
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This quote was just sent in to me:
“It is not a question of patronizing philanthropy towards disabled people. They do not need the patronage of the non-disabled. It is not for them to adapt to the dominant and dominating world of the so-called non-disabled. It is for us to adapt our understanding of a common humanity; to learn of the richness of how human life is diverse; to recognize the presence of disability in our human midst as an enrichment of our diversity.” – Nelson Mandela
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