Did you know that nearly 1 in 4 Americans have a disability?—that’s according to the CDC. But, what’s often not talked about is how some of our beloved celebrities are also part of this statistic; and they’re using their platforms to raise awareness and change perceptions on disabilities. So, let me introduce you to three amazing celebs who’ve done just that: Selma Blair, RJ Mitte, and Marlee Matlin.
Selma Blair: The Fashion Icon Turned MS Warrior
Believe it or not, our very own Cruel Intentions star was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2018; but as wonderful as this detail is there are still some challenges to face. Instead of hiding from her diagnosis she decided that transparency was her #1priority! She took it upon herself—despite facing an obdurate illness—to attend red carpet events using a cane or even a custom-designed bike for mobility assistance. When you think about it; Selma has created quite the kerfuffle in Hollywood by owning her MS diagnosis so publicly. This augurs well for raising awareness on invisible disabilities henceforth; don’t you think?
RJ Mitte: Breaking Bad Stereotypes
Many still wonder just how on earth RJ Mitte—the young actor who played Walter White Jr. in Breaking Bad—managed to land such an iconic role despite having cerebral palsy since birth. What was a total surprise? He actually used his disability as an asset while auditioning for the role! As the saying goes “you can’t keep a good man down”; RJ has become quite the advocate for actors with disabilities; pushing for more representation in TV shows and movies.
Michael J. Fox: Parkinson’s Warrior and Advocate
Can you believe it’s been over 20 years since Michael J. Fox announced his Parkinson’s diagnosis to the world?—according to Biography.com; he was a mere 29 years old when he received the life-altering news. But as wonderful as this detail is there are still some challenges to face; so let me tell you how our favorite Marty McFly turned into a real-life hero! Believe it or not, Michael chose not to let his illness define him; instead, he made raising awareness and finding a cure for Parkinson’s his #1priority! He founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation—which has raised an astounding $2 billion (and counting) for research. This is why it’s true that even though he faced an obdurate disease—he didn’t back down from making a difference in the lives of others with Parkinson’s. When you think about it; that takes some serious courage and dedication.
Marlee Matlin: An Oscar-Winning Activist
Some were surprised when Marlee Matlin—an actress who’s been deaf since childhood—won an Academy Award at only 21 years old in 1987; but she didn’t stop there! She’s been a trailblazer for the deaf community ever since; both on and off-screen. Marlee has spoken out against ableism in Hollywood, ensuring that her voice is heard—despite not being able to hear herself. Flabbergasted? I was too!
Social Security and Disability Judge Approvals
Now, let’s talk about an area where celebs with disabilities can’t always make waves: social security. Like most things in life this too has imperfections, but it’s important to recognize that disability judge approvals can vary greatly depending on the region or even the individual judge. There was a sense of “too many cooks in the kitchen”; which led to inconsistencies regarding who gets approved for benefits and who doesn’t. According to a study by Social Security Administration; approval rates can range from 34% all the way up to 81%.
So as you can see – while our favorite celebrities are doing their part in raising awareness and breaking stigmas surrounding disabilities—there are still battles left for them—and us—to fight.
