While limitations may be placed on you throughout life, you don’t have to be limited by them.
This was an important message from speaker Wesley Hamilton who took to the stage at Albert Taylor Hall Thursday night for the annual Bonner and Bonner Lecture Series. Hamilton is the founder of Disabled But Not Really, a non-profit organization that seeks to help individuals develop a “limitless mindset” through empowerment and engagement.
Hamilton began the organization years after he was paralyzed in a shooting back in January 2012. While speaking with KVOE News Thursday, Hamilton says coming to terms with his new reality was a long and at times defeating process.
Hamilton says that throughout his life he felt as though he was stuck in a system that placed several “systemic” limitations on him based first on his skin color and later on his physical disability. Rather than simply settling into that system, however, Hamilton says he chose to be a “disrupter” and both accept and exceed the limitations thrust upon him.
When asked what inspired him to embrace this ideaology, Hamilton credited the unconditional love of his daughter.
Hamilton ended his interview with KVOE News saying we should all strive to be kind, empowering and inspirational to others as love and support are the building blocks for living a life with no limitations.
The Bonner and Bonner lecture series was developed in 1992 by Emporia State’s first and second African American faculty members, Doctors Thomas and Mary Bonner. It has been organized by Emporia State’s Honors College since 2015.
