Disabled or gifted?

I am inspired by Ms. Lahmann's Jan. 2 column, "Pity is never appropriate". I would like to offer my opinion of "What really is a disability?"

Itzahk Perlman may be the greatest violinist of our time. He is also confined to a wheelchair. Is he disabled or gifted?

Andrea Bocelli makes me swoon with his beautiful operatic tenor. He is blind. Is he disabled or gifted?

Clay Walker is a sweet-toned country music star. He has multiple sclerosis. Disabled or gifted?

There are many more musicians out there - professional and amateur - all doing their musical thing. They have chronic, disabling conditions. Disabled people doing a hobby, or normal folks giving to the world of their gifts?

One more I'd like to mention: Linda Storey, of the sultry blues voice, is a disabled musician in Denver who has devoted her efforts to promoting disabled musicians as well as raising funds with her nonprofit, Case Against MS, with the fundraising series,, "Rocking Out MS." Disabled, or yet another human being doing what they can to make this world a better place?