Wasted Potential: How Society Fails Brilliant Minds with Disabilities

I want to share a story that’s been weighing on my mind.

I met a woman in her early 40s. She’s brilliant—an MBA, a Chartered Accountant, and a former corporate professional who once thrived in a high-paying job. But life had other plans.

In her 30s, she was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. The condition progressed until she became bedridden. She didn’t lose her intelligence or skills—just her mobility.

Today, she works as a receptionist for a man who manages Airbnb properties.

Her salary? Peanuts.

Her survival? It depends on her husband, who is loving, supportive, and able-bodied.

And here’s the hard truth: her story isn’t unique.

This is what happens when our systems, our workplaces, and yes, even our mindsets, don’t know how to value people with disabilities. Despite her qualifications and decades of experience, the opportunities available to her now are not just limited—they’re insulting.

I can’t help but wonder:

• How many brilliant minds are sitting on the sidelines because the world sees their disability before their ability?

• How many workplaces still don’t accommodate or actively seek out diverse talent?

• How much potential are we wasting because we’re unwilling to make space for everyone?

  
  

Disability doesn’t take away intelligence, ambition, or value. What takes that away is a society that refuses to include.

We need to do better. We need to stop defining people by what they can’t do and start creating opportunities that let them shine for what they can.

Because every time we don’t, we aren’t just failing them—we’re failing ourselves.