Radio fans were in for a treat this Saturday as they met Bob Layton, who was in town to help locals recognize the International Day for Persons with Disabilities.
In a series of inspirational stories, Layton shone a spotlight on individual people and their successes, instead of their disabilities. As he said again and again through his speech, people should focus on what they can do, instead of what they can’t do. The results of such a single-minded determination could be astounding, as he illustrated.
Even here in St. Paul, there are several ways that people with disabilities are essential to our local community, whether it is through their work in areas such as catering or laundry services or other jobs, their volunteer efforts in the Community Council, in helping organize and participate in sporting events, in creating fine woodwork, in providing local weather reports, and so much more. Instead of letting their disabilities dictate what they can and can’t do, these men and women make meaningful contributions to our lives and community every day.
But while his speech focused on people with disabilities, who still found ways to excel and achieve immense goals, Layton was clear that his message was for everybody. Many people wonder how their life could be better, but Layton pointed the question right back, asking, “What are you doing with your time?” and “What could you learn to do?” After all, he noted, anything can be improved with extra effort and thought.
It is a message well worth repeating. There are many people who don’t have a single hour of downtime in a day, but there are several others who have more time than they know what to do with or how to use. Layton’s message was clear – with a little work and cultivating those extra hours, it is possible for each and every person to develop themselves and realize more of their potential by focusing on what they can do, rather than what they can’t do.
