The richness of life beyond physical disabilities

Imagine being told that your life has limited value because you are missing an arm or a leg. I was recently reminded of this when my mom told me a story about the daughter of a friend of hers who had an abortion because the child’s body failed to develop arms and legs.

While this is a tragedy and the child would certainly have had a very difficult life, the absence of limbs never makes a person any less worthy or valuable.

Three incredible people drive this truth home.

As an older adult, my grandfather lost a leg in an accident and lived the remainder of his life with a prosthetic leg. I never heard him complain, and our family seemed to accept it matter-of-factly and simply rallied around him, as families should.

Another example is the impressive 11-year-old Miles Platt, who has garnered quite a following on Instagram for his prowess in the kitchen. Miles was born without part of his left arm, but he hasn’t let that stop him from following his dream of excelling in the kitchen. He even competed on MasterChef Junior in 2024, finishing in eighth place.

But the most amazing example I have seen is the Cox family. Parents Tyler and Bonnie are raising a little boy named Bryson, who just turned one. Bryson was born with only half of both arms and both legs. Through uplifting Instagram videos, where they say they are “following Jesus, raising an awesome kid with a limb difference, [and] being hilarious,” Tyler and Bonnie chronicle his life and achievements. And yes, their videos are adorable, sweet, and inspirational. The love they feel for their son shines through each one.

No one is disputing that little Bryson has a difficult road ahead of him in life or that Miles struggles at times, but these two boys are blessed to have parents and extended family who love them and who will make their difficult road a little easier.

This is what we are called to do for everyone in our families, among our friends, and within our communities.

Regardless of the crosses we bear—whether visible or invisible—we all need help at some point in our lives. Some need more help than others, but the truth always remains: Our worth and dignity do not come from what we can do, it comes from who we are—beloved children of God.

And so we must treat everyone we encounter as we would like to be treated. In the Gospel of Matthew, Christ taught, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” How we treat others is how we treat our Lord.

Some erroneously think, and may even imply to those living with a disability, that they are a “burden” on the family, community, or the healthcare system. But people should never be viewed as a burden. That doesn’t mean that their care isn’t hard, that we may sometimes become weary and need a break or help, or that they aren’t suffering, sometimes greatly. It simply means that we see people for who they are rather than what their physical body is capable of.

Mother Teresa once said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

All of our actions cast stones and affect those around us, but if we are truly pro-life, we will first contemplate the ripple effect of the stones we throw.

Will those stones create good, foster love, help people feel valued, and bring them closer to God? Or will they sow seeds of anger, dissent, sadness, and disunity?

The actions we take have consequences, and part of our charge of evangelizing to others involves caring for them, valuing them, and helping them see that they matter—regardless of ability.

My grandfather, Miles, and little Bryson all had or have people to help them on their journey. We pray that, through the love and support of others, they see that life is a gift to cherish. Their lives should serve as reminders that we must never fail to be the hands of Christ here on earth, as we too ensure that people—regardless of their ability—come to understand their immense worth and never fail to feel loved and valued.