If one finds themselves with a disability, they may feel different than the rest of the population, however, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC): the percent of the adult population with hearing trouble is 15.3%, the number of adults with vision trouble is 22.9 million, and the percentage of adults with vision trouble is 9.4%. As well; the number of adults who find they are unable (or have great difficulty) to walk a quarter miles is 18.2 million, the percentage of adults unable (or have great difficulty) to walk a quarter mile is 7.5%, the number of adults with any physical functioning difficulty: 39.6 million, the percentage of adults with any physical functioning difficulty is 16.3%, and the number of adults aged 18 and over with at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation was 77.0 million (2015), and the percentage of adults aged 18 and over with at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation is 32.2% (2015). Concerning older individuals; the number of adults aged 65 and over with at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation was 26.5 million (2015) and the percentage of adults aged 65 and over with at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation was 59.8% (2015). Later statistics were derived from a study conducted in 2015.
These are all included in a broad spectrum from minor to debilitating. These individuals who suffer from such disabilities are often viewed as a drain on society and lesser than. I propose that these citizens are often extremely productive and viable members of society. As the population ages, these percentages increase. Not included is the drastic toll mental illness and addiction take on the population; from memory, these numbers elude me. It is apparent, however, that the number of individuals with physical disabilities (citizens in the United States )alone is staggering; I fail to list statistics derived from the world population.
If anyone is among the aging or in said population, these numbers should make you feel more a part of; you are amongst a large percentage of those in this country with issues which you may feel makes you different than your fellows. In the year 2015, 22% of the population was considered to have a disability , ranging from mild to severe impairments; this number has increased in the last three years. As someone included in these statistics, I have often felt different and alone. I have found, however, I am only different if I consider myself to be. Often, there is strength in numbers and I am happy to be amongst my fellows in society with congruent issues.We are not different or weird; rather, we are often capable of incredible things. Every day is a struggle, but life can be amazing despite these ailments.
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