How does one write a character where his/her disability doesn't "define" them?

I would take a slightly different approach to the other two examples, because I would say that all (interesting) characters are defined by their disabilities. What I mean is that what makes a character interesting is their flaws, biases, the things they can't do; whether they are blind to these, or accept them; whether they work around them or are ultimately constrained by them. Sherlock Holmes remains an interesting character more for his inability to relate to other human beings than for his deductive abilities (there are plenty of smart detectives). Shakespeare's tragic heroes are defined by their fatal flaws and their inability to overcome them. But what makes these characters work is the humanity and credibility of their struggle (or, in Holmes's case, his detached understanding of humanity but decision to stay apart from it). The mistake is to let it define them in boring or predictable ways. If it's just an inconvenience that they can always get around, then it's more an accessory than a believable aspect of the character. If they suffer stoicly and are saintly in all other regards, then they're either a cliche or not a character at all. It would be worth reading the biographies (or better, autobiographies) of real people with disabilities (including the one you want to write, but I wouldn't limit it to that). Some good questions to ask yourself before writing: - How did they come by the disability? - If they were born with it, how does that change the way they see the world? - If it happened to them in later life, how has it changed their personalities? How do they feel about the cause? Have they accepted it or do they still rage against it? - How do they define themselves? Do they refuse to let it define them (say, James Cracknell)? Is it now a part of who they are (Matt Hampson)? Do they try to ignore it as far as possible (Sir Frank Williams)? - What are their blind spots? What do they miss? - Are there things they are more perceptive about because of their disability? I assume you have a specific reason for writing a character with a disability. It may be essential to the plot, it may be just to add some colour. Whatever the reason, don't forget to write the character and not just the disability.

Well, obviously it depends on the disability. I guess the biggest mistake people would make is that of thinking disabled people must be sweet, boring targets of sympathy, defined by their limitations. They couldn't possible be an evil mastermind, a manipulative bitch, a remarkable lover, or a courageous hero. Why not? Someone who is blind could still be an evil bastard. A paraplegic could still be a fantastic guitarist. I would say forget about the disability, especially in the first draft. Well, don't forget about it, but don't let it stop you creating them as fully rounded characters.

Wow, maybe you need to actually talk to disabled people because able bodied writers are relatively clueless about the reality of our lives. There is a plethora of stereotypes and stigma that pervades unconscious perceptions about us.Able bodied writers unwittingly use this in character development and end up producing a caricature of what they think we are rather than, showing us as the rich, diverse individuals that we actually represent. Movies created about our lives become feel good able bodied productions rather than reflecting the true depth and heart of a genuine human being.Please stop seeking guidance from people who are not integrally aware of who we are. It is time for the superficial to be replaced by a genuine story of struggle and triumph.No, not the typical story of a person gets ill and kills himself or lives tormented but rather, a person lives and pursues life, love and success but happens to live as a wheelchair enabled person.No more tragic plotlines but instead, stories of people who live and prosper but who learn through struggle and adversity the real secret to happiness and fulfillment in life. That the quality of life is not determined by your personal challenges but are determined by your beliefs about yourself and the world.The able bodied world can learn alot from the wisdom and innovative thinking that are so much a part of the disabled experience. But you can't learn that from the imagination of the able bodied. This must come from a person who has experienced it first hand over a period of time. An able bodied person cannot understand or imagine anything about our lives. It must come from us and until it does, the quality of stories will always be superficial and redundant.

Develop your character. Put everything in him required for him to be sympathetic and interesting, and for him to grow over the course of the workThen put the disability in, tweak what you have to, and add anything special details that disability might offer you, in addition to the other stuff.“Do not define him by his disability” means “do not have his disability be the reason he is in the story.” It means you make him as well rounded and real a person as you would make a non-disabled character. It means we need a reason to give a damn about him that is not just sympathy for his disability.