Question

Have you ever tried to do something 726 times before you got it right? You might not have, but Thomas Edison (pictured right) did. Edison tried 726 times to make the light bulb work before he got it right. Did you know that Edison had a learning disability? Other reports also indicated that he perseverated (focused attention/fixation on a task or event) and later in life, had a hearing impairment. But the fact remains that he attempted to make the light bulb work 726 times before it did.

What does that tell you about living with a disability, particularly a learning disability? Reflect on the number 726 and what it means about living with disability

Answer 1

Thomas Edison’s example of trying 726 times to make the light bulb work despite the fact that he had a learning disability tells us that people who have such disabilities should not consider themselves worthless. They should not withdraw from the mainstream but be part of the mainstream trying to do all the things of life and focusing on their signature strengths so that they can cultivate their strengths and do something remarkable like Thomas Edison. Thus each one of us should focus on our strengths rather than being worried about our weaknesses. Being consistent and determined pays in life.