Kiera Brinkley doesn't mind curious children, and mostly brushes off the stares of adults.
Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comNo limits for teen without limbs
Seeded on Thu May 6, 2010 9:38 AM EDT (msnbc.com)
— Filed under: health, music, kids-and-parenting, social-affairs, dance, performing-arts, school-curricula, bow-wow, babyface
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How wonderful to read a story of indomitable spirit, boundless hope, and unconditional love. Also, thank God for the Shriner Hospitals -- they provide completely free medical care for children who have many different kinds of ailments.
How lovely but what will she be able to do once in the real world? Will she get a job that allows her to shine or one that pays menial wages for people with disabilities?
She can teach!! What a wonderful spirit to teach the less disabled to portray what is in her mind. That, too, is a talent.
Without a doubt, one of the most inspiring life stories that I've ever read.
You go girl.
Entitled to my opinion said:
Have you ever heard of physicist Stephen Hawking? Or, how about Heather Whitestone, who in 1994 became the first deaf Miss America? There are a number of people with disabilities that have gone on to accomplish things that you and I, who are full-bodied, can only dream of. Just because they have a disability does not mean they have to accept medicrity, nor should you.
People overcome all kinds of things don't they? It amazes me sometimes. Success seems to depend more on your attitude than anything else.
Entitled- She can do anything she wants. Why wouldn't she be qualified for a career in any type of business of her choosing? It's ridiculous that you still think that way. All you need is your mind.
@Entitled: How dare you demean her like that? This girl has more spunk in her heart than most fully abled people! She can do anything she wants to because her upbringing has told her that there is no "can't" in her life. She does what is in her heart and does it well. She can teach, she can choreograph, and she can be a shining light for those who have to live life differently than most. Go for it, Kiera! You are so inspiring and will make more of a mark on this world than most human beings even dream of!
One gutsy young womwn. THREE CHEERS.
Hawking technically only became fully paralyzed by the early 90s.
OMG, Zach, and others;
I think entitled was just being a realist. It's hard, and the world isn't fair, but sometimes reality can be very harsh.
It's all well and good when we tell people with disabilities that "they can be and do anything they want". But it's all just words when it all boils down. The Stephen Hawking example is a huge exception to the rule. Not everyone has an IQ over 200...
You can tell the autistic kid that he can be an astronaut, but NASA won't even give him a glance, let alone let him go into space where there is absolutely no room for mistakes.
You can tell the epileptic person they can be a doctor, but would you want them performing a heart valve operation on a loved one? The girl in this article has a very touching story, but what if she wants to be a surgeon?
You can tell the person with dwarfism they can be whatever they want. But what if they want to be the starting point guard for the LA Lakers?
I don't think the US military will give an open application to the person with no limbs. In fact, I doubt the US military would enroll them at all.
The child with Down's Syndrome. What do you tell them when they say they want to be a commercial airline pilot? You can tell them that they "can be a pilot if they work hard" but when it comes down to it I don't think anyone would really want someone with a disability flying a plane 30,000 feet in the air with hundreds of lives in their care.
Would you want a manic depressive to be a nuclear engineer working with tactical armaments? I wouldn't.
I understand these are all hypothetical situations, but I have been in an airport and heard the mother of a special needs child tell him he could be a pilot if he wanted. Why lie to them? Yes, it makes them feel good, but what if they take what one says to heart and actually works toward an unattainable goal?
There are just some things people can't do. I'm 32 with a bad back, flat feet, a heart murmer, seriously messed up eyes after retinal re-attachment surgery and messed up knees. I can play hockey on the street or in a pick up game at a local rink, but I know there is absolutely no way I'm going to become a starting first line center for the Colorado Avalanche and break 25 out of 60 of Wayne Gretzky's records. It's not going to happen no matter how hard I work. I know my limitations and what I can and can't do.
I hate to be the cold voice of reason, but I feel it has to be done sometimes.
Exactly, LTKiwi.
The fact is, people with disabilities have a disproportionately higher unemployment rate than the general population and it may not even have anything to do at all with ability or competency to perform a job. More often than not an individual such as Kiera with a visually obvious disability will be rejected not on the basis of qualifications, but the potential employer will think of the expense of making the workplace ADA accessible to accommodate her needs and will opt for a less qualified but able bodied candidate. She may have better luck in academia where attitudes tend to be more inclusive and few modifications would be required to teach, but in the general workforce she will have great difficulty. But as she said, there are only barriers and I wish her luck!
I am being real nothing more. I know several people who have some sort of disability and while most graduated from universities many work menial jobs! Steven Hawkings happens to excel in his field and if he didn't he would not be doing what he does! This girl will need to excel at something other than dancing to make it. As a dancer she is simply an oddity! Sorry to be honest but thats the way it is.
I couldn't agree with you more. Good post! You show that in some respect, there may still be hope for humanity.
What a wonderful story for a change. Texan is right She can teach...Or maybe she could become a choreographer.... Needless to say contrary to some 'opinions', I doubt this girl will ever settle for a menial lowwage job.... And she shouldn't.....
Outstanding story. This young lady is an inspiration to all. I must also commend the Shriner Organization for their assistance in helping her with her medical problems.
Very brave young lady..
Thank you, Kiera....you have made my day!! Best wishes ! It's wonderful to see you grow into a young adult with so much promise and a love for life. I'm sure you'll be successful in whatever you choose for a career path. I admire your positive attitude...that of a champion!!!
What a gorgeous young lady! And brains/talent to boot!
Kiera will succeed at anything she wants. Beautiful girl with a warrior's spirit!
All I can say after reading this beautiful story is WOW!
Great start out the day bawling my head off....I guess I have nothing to complain about, eh? Great story, great family, I think whatever this girl puts her mind and determination to she will succeed.
And for the naysayers, she could be a dance instructor you know.......
BRAVO BRAVO!Greater things to come kid and by god you'll do it. hurry get out of school and into the world , because the world needs you.you are a gift and an inspiration to all.
again BRAVO! BRAVO!
What can this awe inspiring young woman do??? ANYTHING she can dream of! Honors English students can probably do more than "Entitled" with or without limbs. It is a shame people try to put limitations on the spirit and courage and abilities of those who are different from themselves. I would say that is "Entitled" that has the disability, not Kiera. Maybe Kiera could give a little counselling and teach "Entitled" a thing or three.
Kiera...the world is yours! God Bless you and your wonderful family.
One word sprang to mind INSPIRATIONAL!!!! Both Kiera & her awesome mother, who gave her daughter the right tools in life to be this wonderful person she is today & will continue to be! Way to go Mom!! Way to go Kiera!!
I love the line: "She doesn't have any boundaries, She just has hurdles, like we all have. Life for her wasn't going to be: 'You can't do that.'"
May we ALL think like that.
A truly uplifting story!! A breath of fresh air.. thanks!
What an amazing young woman. It's stories like this that remind the rest of us to quit our petty bitching and get on with life. It's out there - it is our responsibility to grab it and make of it what you will.
Kiera - I expect to hear great things of you in the future, and I have a strong feeling you won't disappoint. Don't you ever listen to people that say you "can't." You know you can, and that's all that matters.
Just when it seems the whole world is going to hell in a handbasket, comes the uplifting story of this amazing, beautiful young woman. God bless you, Kiera.
What a truly inspiring story!! She is such a remarkable young lady.
wow...
Dancing is one thing, but I saw a video of a Chinese woman who was born without any arms. She did not get aborted and grew up to be able to do anything a normal person can do. She was cooking, sewing, cleaning, anything you have to do around the house. And it is all done with her toes. She actually threaded a needle with her toes and knitted a sweater. She was making dim som, a Chinese appetizer. Anyone who has made dim som knows it takes lots of finger coordination. But threading the needle with her toes was the most amazing thing I have ever seen.
next time you feel sorry for yourself...............whew! i have to say that my job requires me to be a real s.o.b. with a cold heart and carry a big stick as the saying goes. i am not moved easily is my point. this story actually put a tear in my eye. If i was Shakespeare, i could think of better words to express the feeling i got reading this story. If Kiera sees these posts, let me wish you ALL the best in your future endeavors. YOU ROCK GIRL!!!! Also, kudos to the other kids for being mature and accepting Kiera as a friend and the special human being she is and what she has to deal with on a daily basis that most of us take for granted. She is TRULY inspirational. Should have her story on the world news. Need some good things in the news once in a while. Person of the week on ABC NEWS or whatever network does that on Fridays.
Now this is news. Nothing negative, depressing.....Just a good positive story. And to think I have problems....Look at her go!
she should be the poster kid for all the young in America that are blessed, healthy and are just wasting there lives with bad choices like gangs,drugs,crime, not getting educated and making babies etc etc.
You GO GIRL! This story made me cry, and for what, for all the people in this world with no reason to not suceed. This child has every reason not to succeed but that WILL NOT HAPPEN. Also remeber the Shriners when yoou can and St Judes as well . Great organizations! GO Kiera !
What a truely wonderful girl...and what a terrific mom she has to have supported her all this time and to let her know that she can be all she wants to be in her life...I wish them both the best in the years to come.
What a beautiful story, a true inspiration! I hope she inspires all teens to work hard no matter what life has dealt you and to never let anything stop you from achieving your dreams. "Can't" is not in her vocabulary!
this story tilted my boat. she can't do what she does, but she does it anyway.she was put on this earth to show the useless butt holes on thie earth that there is a God. there's many stories out there, each one tops the other, they are the ones i would gladly pay taxes to support. where are the good christian people that are making us pastors rich (yes i'm one ) our churches should adopt, and support folks like them, they dont whimper, they do notgive up, could i do the same.?
dance on sweetheart