Recently I had an accident where I fell off a ladder and dislocated my right wrist. Unfortunately, I am right-handed.

No one expects that they'll have a disability but then _ _ _ _ happens. Situations beyond our control sometimes limit our ability to do even ordinary things. While my temporary injury certainly can't compare to the ongoing disabilities of a wheel-chair bound or blind person, I have gained a new and profound respect for people with disabilities, especially physical disabilities.

Here are some lessons from my own fall that have made me think differently about the "abilities" of disabled people.

Creativity - I would argue that people with disabilities are in fact better equipped for acute problem-solving than their peers without disabilities. That's mainly because they're experts in finding creative ways to perform tasks that others may take for granted.

Self Reliance - I appreciate that people want to be helpful but I almost feel like sometimes I need to fight off the "helpers" so I can learn to do more things for myself. Being self-reliant gives you a sense of accomplishment and helps restore your dignity. The Roman philosopher Seneca wrote that "difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does for the body". Those daily obstacles aren't going to be overcome by self-pity or victimhood. As my son likes to say "Suck it up, buttercup" and disabled people suck it everyday.

Willingness to ask for help - OK. I know I just talked about self reliance but it is equally important to know when to ask for help. There are just some things we can't do ourselves and we need to put pride aside. To quote Dirty Harry "A man's got to know his limitations".

Patience - Let's face it, if you are disabled you better have patience! Patience is all about waiting. Not passively waiting. That is just plain laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is true patience. People with disabilities have to have a lot of patience.

Doing with less - When you suddenly only have access to two pockets in your pants instead of four, you better be judicious in what you carry. You learn to bring only what is absolutely essential. You have to learn how to lighten the load and enjoy the ride.

Planning - If you have a disability, planning is absolutely essential. You have to think ahead. How will I get from Point A to Point B? What obstacles will I face?

Just because some people look different and have limited mobility due to a disability does not mean that they aren't capable. A 2013 report by the National Governors Association show businesses can benefit by seeing disabled workers not as charity cases but employees with uncommon qualities that can enhance profits.

Walgreen is among employers including Hershey Co. and AMC Entertainment Inc. actively recruiting workers with disabilities as a way to gain a loyal workforce, tap overlooked talent and add diversity. Studies of Walgreens’s experience show disabled workers are more efficient and loyal than non-disabled workers. Absenteeism has gone down, turnover is less, and safety statistics are up.

You hear it all the time, don't judge a book by its cover. Stephen Hawking, a man in a wheelchair who can't speak is one of the smartest people in the world. Don't ever think that having a disability means that someone is not impressive or successful. You never know what someone with a disability is capable of. In fact they may just have some abilities that you don't.