The Gift of a Disability is a first-person narrative of the life of Richard Harris, a disabled individual born with a knobbed right hand with no fingers. The early life through manhood years of this author is chronicled in a compelling saga of his ability to cope with various vicissitudes of living with and triumphing over a physical disability, in a manner believed to be divinely inspired and commissioned as a gift to inspire himself and other disabled individuals toward lives of success and individual accomplishment. Beginning with his childhood in the small rural town of Griffin, Georgia, located approximately fifty miles south of the city of Atlanta, Georgia, the story of the success of this fraternal twin from a family of eight children is told in a manner capturing the emotional and psychological challenges of a disabled individual competing for success in life among the nondisabled American working populace of family members, friends, and compatriots. From a background of active involvement in the ministry and teachings of the legendary Griffin pastor, the late Reverend D. F. Fuller, the life experiences of this author are presented in a manner that inspires and motivates disabled individuals toward successful individual growth and development. The story seeks to foster increased awareness and recognition and respect of the general public of the success of millions of physically impaired Americans who overcome physical, mental, and other artificial barriers to successfully compete as productive employees in the nation’s workforce. The author’s thirty-year public service involvement and participation in disability causes and issues at the national, state, and regional levels offers unique views, perspectives, and insights on disability rehabilitation management and preparation of disabled individuals for successful participation in the nation’s world of work.
