Celebs with Illnesses

There are many famous people who did not let their illnesses stop them from pursuing their dreams.

So, don’t let anything stop you from going after yours!

This list isn’t exhaustive but we hope it serves as an inspiration to you.

* Actress Lindsay Lohan was diagnosed with asthma as a child.

* Actress Halle Berry has type 1 diabetes. She gives herself daily insulin shots and watches what she eats.

* Actress Keira Knightley is dyslexic. Growing up, Keira’s classmates made fun of her for being dyslexic, so she would get books on tape and memorize them.

* Singer-songwriter Sinead O’Conner reportedly suffers from bipolar disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome.

* Best-selling author of Seabiscuit, Laura Hillenbrand, suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome.

* Michelle Akers, a former member of the USA Women’s Soccer Team and second all-time leading scorer (behind Mia Hamm), suffers from headaches and chronic fatigue syndrome.

* Actresses Sarah Michelle Gellar & Chloe Sevigny have scoliosis.

* Former Olympic sprinter and hurdler, Gail Devers, has Grave’s disease.

* NBA Superstar Magic Johnson became infected with HIV in 1991 and educates young people about how to avoid getting the virus.

* Miss America 1995, Heather Whitestone, is hearing impaired. She was the first woman with a disability to be given this crown.

* Television Star Nicolas Brendon has dealt with stuttering his whole life, and is now serving as honorary chairperson of the Stuttering Foundation of America.

Lessons from history

There are many leaders, teachers, entertainers and others with illnesses and disabilities who have made a difference in America’s history. Read on to find out who some of them are.

* Harriet Tubman, an anti-slavery crusader, had epilepsy.

* Walt Disney, cartoonist and founder of Walt Disney World ®, had a learning disability.

* Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt led the nation from a wheelchair, after he lost the use of his legs from the polio virus.

* Artist Leonardo Da Vinci, creator of the famous Mona Lisa painting, had epilepsy.

* Judy Garland, star of The Wizard of Oz, suffered from depression.

Key Takeaways:

Don’t let your illness steal your dreams. Be creative. There may be ways you can achieve your goals with support from friends, family and community. And you never know — you may be an inspiration to someone in the process. Pass it on.