If you're disabled, and you're trying to achieve your dreams

In the eternal pursuit of greatness, there lies a harsh truth that must be faced by those who wish to achieve their dreams: adversity is a constant companion, and to reach the heights of success, one must endure challenges that others may never understand. Maysoon Zayid’s words, “If you’re disabled, and you’re trying to achieve your dreams, accept the fact right now that you have to work 500 times more than the average bear next to you. Stop bucking for sympathy, put on your titanium legs, and run,” call upon the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of insurmountable odds. Zayid’s powerful metaphor of “titanium legs” suggests the need to fortify oneself—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally—against the trials of life, embracing them not as obstacles but as stepping stones to greatness.

To understand this truth, we need only look back to the ancient world, where the heroes of epic tales did not achieve greatness through ease or comfort, but through endurance and sacrifice. Consider the story of Hercules, the demigod of Greek mythology, whose twelve labors were not just feats of strength, but of perseverance and determination. Each task he faced seemed impossible, yet he did not falter. Hercules’ struggles were not just physical; they were tests of willpower, demanding more from him than the average mortal could give. In the same way, Zayid’s words urge us to recognize that those who are disabled—or who face any form of adversity—must often endure not just the physical barriers, but the mental and emotional hurdles that others may never have to face.

In ancient Rome, the philosophers understood that greatness was not a gift, but something earned through effort and resolve. The great Stoics, like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, wrote extensively on the importance of resilience in the face of hardship. They believed that suffering was inevitable, but how one responded to suffering determined one’s true character. Epictetus, who himself was born a slave, famously said, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” In this wisdom, we find a call to action similar to Zayid’s: instead of seeking sympathy or lamenting one’s circumstances, the wise choose to stand tall and continue moving forward, regardless of the obstacles in their path. Zayid’s emphasis on hard work over sympathy is not just a practical mindset but a philosophical stance that echoes through the ages.

The truth that Zayid speaks also finds resonance in the real-world stories of those who, despite facing tremendous physical and social barriers, have achieved extraordinary success. One such figure is Helen Keller, who, despite being both deaf and blind, became an influential writer and speaker. Keller’s life was not defined by the limitations of her disabilities but by the incredible strength of her spirit. Like Zayid’s message, Keller understood that achieving one’s dreams required not just a desire for success, but a willingness to work tenaciously and endure far beyond what others might expect. Her triumphs are a testament to the idea that determination and perseverance, rather than sympathy or pity, are what drive the most profound accomplishments.

The lesson that Zayid imparts is not only about working harder than others, but about changing the narrative around disability and adversity. Too often, society treats those with disabilities as though they are to be pitied or cared for. Zayid’s call to “put on your titanium legs and run” is a challenge to that narrative—it is an invitation to take control, to reclaim power, and to prove that strength can be found in the face of even the most difficult circumstances. Just as Achilles was not defined by his vulnerabilities but by his courage and bravery, those who face adversity must be seen not for their limitations, but for their ability to rise above them.

In embracing this lesson, we learn that success is not a matter of receiving handouts or sympathy, but of cultivating an inner strength that cannot be easily shaken. The titanium legs Zayid speaks of are a metaphor for the fortitude and resolve required to face life’s hardest challenges. To achieve one’s dreams, one must be prepared to push beyond the limits of what is expected, working relentlessly, embracing each failure as a lesson, and viewing every setback as an opportunity to grow stronger. Zayid’s message is one of empowerment—it is not about what others do for you, but about what you do for yourself, in the face of adversity.

Thus, we are called not to seek pity or sympathy in our struggles but to embrace them with the full force of courage and determination. Let us, like Hercules, confront each task, no matter how impossible, with a heart full of resolve. Let us wear our titanium legs proudly, knowing that every step forward, no matter how hard-earned, brings us closer to the fulfillment of our dreams. It is through our own strength and resilience that we will define who we are—not the obstacles that stand in our way.