Inspiration Corner
ACCESS 1-to-1 encourages its participants to think outside the box, to dream big and to climb higher. This corner is designed to inspire those “who enter here” – whether student or staff – to achieve their dreams and to realize what may seem impossible.
Quotes To Live By:
"Most people take the limits of their vision to be the limits of the world. A few do not. Join them." ~Arthur Schopenhauer
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us." ~Helen Keller
"No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities - always see them, for they're always there." Norman Vincent Peale
"I believe life is a series of near misses... what we ascribe to luck is not luck at all. It's seizing the day and accepting responsibility for your future. It's seeing what other people don't see. And pursuing that vision." ~Howard Schultz
Famous People To Learn From:
http://www.accessabilitysolutions.net/famouspeople.html
Inspirational Person:
On May 25, 2001, Erik Weihenmayer became the first blind man in history to reach the top of Mount Everest. Just over a year later, he completed his seven-year quest to reach the world’s seven highest peaks on each of the continents. As a former teacher and wrestling coach, and having lost his vision at age 13, he has not allowed his impairment to impede his love of extreme sports like mountain climbing, skydiving and skiing. In his autobiography, Touch the Top of the World, he humorously recalls his struggles to defeat blindness with the help of his own personal determination and his family. Learn more about Erik by visiting the links below.
Check out Erik's personal website at: http://www.touchthetop.com
The trailer to his movie “Blindsight” tells how he led six blind Tibetan students and their fearless teacher on a trek up the Himalayan mountains. It explores community attitudes towards the visually impaired (who are mistakenly considered to be inhabited by demons) and the groups’ response to challenges during their trek: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BmytuMV4_Y
The trailer to another movie “As Far as the Eye Can See” summarizes the struggles Erik endured to realize his dream. Quoting from the Braille captions interspersed throughout the video, “Blind climber, Erik Weihenmayer, attempts the impossible… He cannot see the mountain’s dangerous weather… He cannot see the hollowing crevasses… What he can see is his dream to summit the world’s tallest peak… Many questioned his ability… Few believed in his vision… His courage… His will… To transform the image of blindness forever…”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnR2dpLnS14
Inspirational Video(s)/Audio:
If you’ve heard of Helen Keller, a well-known blind and deaf student, you’ll know that what you can’t see with your eyes you can see with your heart. Be inspired as you experience this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uBlIDp9CWY
Enter the world of John Bramblitt, a University of North Texas student whose blindness does not hinder him, but rather allows him to create - from his world of darkness - paintings of extraordinary light, color, and thus beauty for all to enjoy. His “studies in shape and form” produce real life renditions of people, animals and objects which to some are “amazing” or inspirational and to others “impossible”. But John has learned to turn what he too originally thought “impossible” into a gift to share with all. To learn more, access this video clip from Texas Country Reporter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P84bfFpVWE
OR visit John's website to hear an audio explanation of his creative painting process: http://www.bramblitt.net/
Finally, be amazed by all that this young African American does even though he lost both his eyes at age two: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/19/earlyshow/main1817689.shtml
Share Your Quote, Learning Tip or Comment:
To share your wisdom, knowledge on disabilities, an inspirational quote (please document the author), or your comment or suggestion for our website, e-mail us at: