This week, we’re bringing you five beautiful, moving stories from around the world, all around resilience, friendship, and untold journeys of persons with disabilities. How many have you watched?

Aria Mia Loberti, who plays Marie-Laure in All the Light We Cannot See (2023), is blind in real life. Born with achromatopsia, Aria had never acted before but beat thousands in a global audition to land the lead role. Director Shawn Levy and Aria designed novel blocking methods: she memorized steps, echolocated off finger snaps, and relied on muscle memory instead of visible markers, impressively avoiding tripping hazards. “She’s a unicorn of a discovery,” said Shawn and emphasized how vital her lived blindness was for authenticity, calling it “an X‑factor” that shaped every scene. A tender wartime story about Marie-Laure and her unexpected bond with a German soldier, All the light we cannot see is a gripping, visually stunning miniseries on hope amidst darkness.

Murlikant Petkar lost his right arm after being shot nine times during the 1965 Indo‑Pak war. Relearning life as a paraplegic, he turned to swimming for rehabilitation. In 1972 at the Heidelberg Paralympics, he became India’s first-ever individual gold medallist, shattering the world record in the 50 m freestyle (37.33s), and earning finalist spots in javelin, slalom, and precision throw. Awarded the Padma Shri in 2018, his legacy is that of a war hero and sporting icon. He didn’t let amputation define his worth. Instead, he excelled at multiple sports, earning 12 international, 34 national, and 40 state-level golds. “The agony of those nine searing bullets… all dissolved into air” the moment the national anthem played atop the Paralympic podium,” said Murlikant. Chandu Champion (2024) sheds light on societal barriers faced by disabled athletes in India, earning praise for its emotional honesty and Petkar's courageous portrayal.

Al Pacino plays Lt. Colonel Frank Slade, a blind, embittered, yet charismatic retired Army officer who reminds us that blindness isn’t just about loss, but adaptation. Through moments like tangoing flawlessly in a New York restaurant and driving a Ferrari (with directions), The Scent of a Woman (1992) challenges stereotypes about what blind individuals can or cannot do. Though not blind himself, Al Pacino portrayed Frank authentically: He consulted with visually impaired veterans to understand their mannerisms, frustrations, and daily routines. He simulated navigating unfamiliar spaces without relying on sight and his dedication paid off, earning him his first and only Academy Award for Best Actor. Pacino’s portrayal shows that while disability changes circumstances, it can’t dim spirit, charisma, or humanity.

“Different isn’t less. Different is just different.” Sam, a teenager on the autism spectrum navigating high school, relationships, and independence. The series highlights that autism is not a limitation but a different lens to experience the world. Sam’s journey to self-discovery reminds viewers that neurodivergent individuals can lead full, dynamic, emotionally rich lives, filled with humor, heartbreak, and resilience. From Season 2 onwards, Atypical (2017) made a meaningful shift by hiring actors on the autism spectrum to play recurring roles, offering authentic representation not just in story, but on set. A heartfelt, humorous, and sensitive portrayal that breaks stereotypes with every episode.

“Miracles happen when faith meets effort.” Played by Rani Mukerji, the character Michelle McNally is inspired by the life of Helen Keller, who, despite being deaf and blind from infancy, became an influential author, activist, and educator. To be true to her character, Rani trained extensively with deaf-blind students and learned Braille and sign language for authenticity. Black (2005) beautifully highlights that disability isn’t a barrier to education, self-expression, or dignity. It powerfully conveys that the right support system can turn disabilities into abilities. Rani once said, “Black had a profound impact on my life as an actor and as an individual. The challenges of using sign language for even the simplest tasks was a huge learning experience and a very humbling one too”. She acknowledged it as one of her most important films, not just career-wise but emotionally and spiritually.

A reimagined, heartwarming sports drama inspired by real stories of neurodiversity. With Aamir Khan in the lead, it blends the spirit of Taare Zameen Par with an inclusive, team-driven narrative. With this film, Gopi Krishnan Varma, has made history as India's first lead actor with Down Syndrome. He stars alongside Aamir Khan in the upcoming Hindi film Sitaare Zameen Par, a remake of the Spanish film Campeones. The film aims to highlight the challenges faced by individuals with Down Syndrome and promote inclusivity in society.

Atypical Advantage is India’s largest livelihood platform for Persons with Disabilities(PWD). Whether it is a singer looking for a show, a visual artist looking to sell their paintings, or job seekers with disabilities looking for career opportunities, it bridges the supply & demand side inefficiencies so that Persons with Disabilities can earn a dignified income. We have a large pool of 30,000+ talents with disabilities and have worked with 450+ corporates within a short span of 4 years. We were also featured on Shark Tank Season 2 and were declared the winner of the prestigious National Startup Award for Social Impact, and the National Award for Best Organization empowering persons with disabilities in 2024, conferred by the Union Government. For more information, visit our website here.