We Shall Overcome

Today is the 41st anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His messages of hope, peace, and equality for all human beings still ring loud through the years, and are as vital today as when he first spoke them so eloquently all those years ago.

No matter what your ethnicity, those of us who are disabled form a minority group still struggling for rights that the able-bodied take for granted. There are places we cannot go, and things we cannot do, simply because our towns and cities, and our neighbors and friends, have not made allowances for the difficulties we face.

Many of us in wheelchairs, or scooters, or who must use canes or braces, are also fighting dreadful diseases, most with a fierce courage and fortitude that those not afflicted too easily overlook. Heroes are not only those who perform feats of valor and bravery in a public way, but also those who quietly overcome pain and illness each day, simply doing their best to live their lives and remain a presence in the world.

It is to these unsung heroes, and those who love them, that I hold out a weakened hand and say "We Shall Overcome"...

Please enjoy the following video, and reflect on the life and death of the man who spoke these words, words that will continue to inspire courage and compassion as long as there are people willing to listen.