JUST 4 KIDS: What Ability Means to Me

By Dwayne “DJ” Murray Jr.

Photo by Don Rose

What does ability mean to me? Ability is showing others what can be accomplished by accepting myself for who I am, not what I could be. I was born with spina bifida. I do not see myself as a person with a disability. I see my disability as a way to show others my abilities. I have the ability to overcome challenges in everyday life and sports.

When out in my community, I don’t allow people’s stares to bother me. I take this opportunity to explain that I am no different than them, although my body parts may not work the same as theirs. By sharing my disability with others, I educate my community and allow them to focus on my ability, not my disability. My wheelchair basketball team does this by going to high schools and allowing “normal” people to use a wheelchair to play basketball. We hear many comments about what great abilities we have!

I also have the ability to share my life experiences with others who have a disability by speaking at various events. Sharing my experiences may inspire someone else to use their abilities instead of focusing on their disabilities.

When I was born, my mother was told by doctors that I might never be able to do a lot of things “normal’ kids do. A social worker told her never to tell me “can’t.” The word “can’t,” to this day, is not a word I use often. I’ll try anything once. I can accomplish anything my mind and abilities allow me to do!

Dwayne “DJ” Murray, who will be 15 this month, lives in Shelby Township, Michigan. He has a yellow belt in karate, plays baseball and soccer, skis, water skis, and kayaks. For the past five years, he has played for the Sterling Heights Challengers wheelchair basketball team at both the prep and varsity levels. His goals are to attend college and play basketball at the national, international and Paralympic levels. DJ wrote this essay as part of a contest to attend the Paralympic Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was one of 30 student athletes chosen to attend the Academy in August 2005.

Happy Birthday, DJ! Thanks for sharing your essay with Action!