My friend Diane was born without her arms and legs, and from the beginning she has set out to educate others on the truths about being disabled. She has devoted her life to improving the situation of people with disabilities.

As a child her parents, doctors and social workers believed she would accomplish nothing and live out her days in a nursing home. She knew better. As a very intelligent and determined person, she understood that when people saw her and said things like, "You are so brave," or "You are incredible," they were talking from their own fears. So, she set out to prove these people wrong about her limitations and to educate her society/culture about disability.

She knew the best way to start was to show that she could make friends with others without disabilities, attend and succeed in regular schools, and enjoy herself at play. Diane accomplished all this. She had many friends from both disabled and non-disabled cultures, and those friends and their parents have told her many times how much they learned from her.

After graduating from high school in Long Beach, Ca., she went on to live independently in her very first apartment. Later, she attended and graduated from UCLA. Then she went on to graduate school at USC where she got her Masters in Social Work. It was through this work that Diane could really bring about change in the lives of the disenfranchised, the hurting and dying, and the severely mentally ill.

As a disabled therapist, she found that her patients felt comfortable with her. She was most active in the fields of AIDS and mental illness. In addition, an anthropologist was very interested in Diane's life, and the fact that she saw the world of the disabled as a culture -- which was a first in this field. This anthropologist and Diane published a book called VENUS ON WHEELS.

When I first began working for Diane I, like everyone else, thought I had to do everything for her. I couldn't have been more wrong. While there are some things I must do for her, Diane can transfer herself to any surface she wishes, on her own. She designed a fork and spoon that enables herself to feed herself. She also designed a lap board that folds up to fit in her wheelchair backpack and a typing stick which she enables her to use the computer. She has a van, and can drive.

Today Diane has changed careers. Still working to better the quality of life for the disabled, she now is a grant writer for a non-profit organization called Canine Support Teams. They provide service dogs free of charge to anyone with a physical disability.

My friend Diane's energy puts me and most everyone I know to shame. She improves so many people's lives just by her presence, and of course her work. She has touched, inspired and transformed many people. She's known nurses, doctors, social workers, professors, students and children. She has gone to colleges and elementary school discussing disability. She has marched on Sacramento and been part of UCLA's unrest against the chancellor's fraudulent use of Federal Funds. She has never turned down an opportunity to fight for the rights of the disabled. She is awesome.

Read More Hero Stories >