Comments on: Disabled Therapist’s Tale of Reborn Compassion, Earns Fervent Global Love of Lives Medal

By: Betsy Goode

Betsy Goode — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:57:33 +0000

I was googling ‘disabled therapist’ and came upon this story. I am glad it contained lessons for other people, but I notice the stereotypes about living with disability that some posters express, I assume they do not have much experience with disability. Daniel is strong and smart, though having had to live through an exceptional amount of loss, and I send my deepest sympathy — but he is not “one of a kind.” Many thousands of people endure similar losses and disablements, and do not think for more than a few days about “giving up,” or “letting life pass them by,” as if becoming disabled might be a free ticket to retirement or a vacation of some kind. Non-disabled people assume living with a disability is a negative thing, even a ‘fate worse than death.’ Even EMT’s believe they would suicide rather than live with paralysis — but research shows that for people who do undergo such experiences, suicide is but a fleeting worry, and 99% return to about the same level of love-of-life they enjoyed (or didn’t) before becoming disabled. Daniel returned to the work he was trained to do, and loves doing — great! So do most people after such losses! He’s a good man but (no insult meant) *not exceptional* in that way — that is the reality of disability. There is nothing “inherently” negative about disablity, except that non-disabled fantasies about it are by far more burdensome to us than our daily lives are. We seem ‘inspirational’ because you assume we are _not_ as capable of using common human ingenuity and determination as you are. Roll on, Daniel!

By: Elizabeth R.

Elizabeth R. — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 03:03:33 +0000

I looked at his website and was struck by what he has on his business card. It simply says “Daniel Gottlieb. Human.” No airs and graces at all or enormous ego. What an inspiring, selfless man. Being able to draw on his inner strength to such an extent is admirable.

By: Kelli

Kelli — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:46:34 +0000

This motivates me this morning to be so happy for the life I live and to be even more thankful for those out there who face such challenges and still find the will and the meaning to move on.

By: Karla

Karla — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:06:09 +0000

This guy deserves all the credit he can get. He is one of a kind.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:31:58 +0000

When I get down or see other people having trouble with their PMI (positive mental attitude, this would be a great story to whip out and pass along. If you think you’ve got it tough, just imagine others out there who have it tougher.

By: Holly

Holly — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:52:56 +0000

The strength of certain people never ceases to amaze me and this is just one such story that has touched my heart in this way. What courage it must take to learn to live your life in a brand new way, and yet still be able to give so much back to so many others, even at a time when your own life must feel so horrid. I truly admire people who can face down adversity like this and still be able to find a way to do something positive and selfless with that.

By: Stella

Stella — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:14:11 +0000

Wouldn’t it be nice if we all used our inner strength as Daniel did, to fight our way out of such a depressed state and turn it around to our benefit.

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:10:19 +0000

A story like this is something that we should all read from time to time, maybe even on a daily basis for some of us. How easy it would have been for Daniel to just allow life to pass him by but he realized what an opportunity that he had to continue to make a difference in the lives of other people even when his own life was crumbling around him and he chose to do the positive instead of what most of the rest of us would have done, and that is to give up. Thank goodness there are still such inspiring stories today!

By: Kayla

Kayla — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:05:23 +0000

makes me so thankful for my life

By: manda

manda — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:51:49 +0000

I always get inspired when i hear of someone like this. Thanks for the upbeat article.

By: Trina

Trina — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:57:11 +0000

This was a wonderful piece on how someone who had went through so much was still passionate enough to help a nurse who was in distraught when he almost had his life taken away

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:39:22 +0000

This is such an amazing story. It really does help us all to put things into perspective. I know that there have been times in my own life when I have been so down on the things that I did not have, never taking the time to be thankful for what I do have. I look at this as such an inspiration and am happy to spread the word and share the menaing behind this message as I think this is something that could certainly help to give hope to many others who are experiencing trying and difficult times. Thanks for sharing this with the readers here.

By: Casey

Casey — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:30:10 +0000

Really loved this article. It just shows me that you no matter how hard something seems to be, if you really want it, it can be achieved.

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:24:17 +0000

Daniel is such an inspiration! Wish there were more therapist out there like him.

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:01:01 +0000

you can tell, if you visit this guys website, that Daniel is a humble, down-to-earth, and authentic human being… so many therapists operate from a know it all place and have such big egos..Daniel is a an example of big hearted compassion and humility, an example many therapists could learn from. thanks for your spirit and determination Daniel!