Disabled Meaning
Disabled Definition & Usage
Lacking the ability to perform certain activities due to a physical or mental impairment.
Examples
- "The disabled child received special education services to help with learning."
- "The building is wheelchair accessible, with ramps for the disabled."
- "She is disabled but still participates actively in her community."
- "Many public spaces are being designed to be more inclusive for the disabled."
- "The disabled athlete competed in the Paralympic Games."
To make something unable to work, operate, or function.
Examples
- "The power outage disabled the factory for several hours."
- "A virus disabled his computer, preventing him from finishing his work."
- "The explosion disabled the security system at the facility."
- "Her knee injury disabled her from participating in the marathon."
- "The hacker disabled the website temporarily before the IT team fixed it."
Cultural Context
The word 'disabled' has evolved over time and is closely tied to social attitudes toward individuals with impairments. Historically, the word was used in a more negative or limiting context, but contemporary usage emphasizes respect and inclusivity. The disability rights movement has led to a shift toward language that recognizes the dignity and abilities of disabled individuals.
The Power of Adaptation
Story
The Power of Adaptation
When the storm hit, nothing in the town was prepared for its ferocity. Buildings collapsed, and roads were flooded. In the midst of the chaos, Maria's life took a drastic turn. Once a marathon runner, she was now struggling with a disability caused by a severe knee injury. Doctors said she would never run again, but Maria refused to give up on her dreams. She found a new passion for wheelchair racing, an activity that offered her both independence and joy. One day, Maria found herself at a local community center, teaching others how to race in adaptive chairs. Her class was small but dedicated. One student, Thomas, a young man who had recently become disabled due to a car accident, felt lost and overwhelmed. His doctors had told him he might never walk again, and he believed that meant he had no future in sports. Maria approached him after class, encouraging him to try. 'It’s not about what you can’t do anymore, but about discovering what you can do,' she told him with a smile. Thomas was hesitant at first, but he trusted her. Over the next few months, with Maria’s support, he went from being completely unable to move on his own to competing in local adaptive races. His confidence soared, and for the first time since his accident, he felt like he had a purpose. By the end of the year, Maria and Thomas competed together in a major event. It wasn’t just about the race—it was about proving that being disabled didn’t mean being defeated. Their victory wasn’t defined by crossing the finish line, but by the strength they had gained by adapting to their new realities. They had both transformed what it meant to be disabled, showing the world that ability exists in many forms.
Related Words
