'I Hear 'Disabled' ... It Makes Me Kind of Mad'

Dec. 29, 2006 — -- "World News" profiled a range of individuals during 2006 who are finding ways to benefit others in the United States and abroad. We caught up with a few of those featured and have these updates as they are named "Persons of the Year."

Thomas Ellenson

Thomas Ellenson has cerebral palsy. He's very bright, but speaking and expressing himself is almost impossible for him.

"There's so much going on in his head," says his father, Richard Ellenson. "Thomas sees everything. He observes everything. He's aware of everything."

Thomas was trained to use a robotic-sounding speaking device, but it was frustrating tapping out whole thoughts letter by letter.

So his father invented a kid-friendly form of speech technology named Tango. The gadget pre-records sentences expressing a variety of commonly used actions, questions, even emotions.

A touch of a button with a colorful symbol and the little computer will speak Thomas's thoughts out loud -- in a voice much like his own.

"We've already added, 'Dad, you're bugging me,' which is one that he loves to hit," says Thomas' mother, Lora Ellenson. "You would love to delete all those, but you would love to delete them on your typical kids, too. And you don't have that choice."

Since our story aired, "Tango" has come on the market. Hundreds of orders are coming in from all over the world -- unlocking the thoughts and feelings of so many.

Anthony Robles

These stories made us question the very meaning of the word "disabled" -- especially Phoenix teenager Anthony Robles' story.

"When I hear 'disabled,' when it's mentioned around me or about me, you know it makes me kind of mad," Robles says. "I pretty much do whatever I set my mind to."

Robles became a high-school sports star, despite being born with just one leg.

"Starting out wrestling, I didn't really, you know, I didn't go into it to prove anything or, you know, to be an inspiration to anybody," he says. "I just, I love the sport."

Anthony knows his strengths and plays to them.

"And I'm a little bit lighter," he says, "so you know, that's definitely to my advantage."

Anthony had an undefeated season, and he won both a state and national championship this spring.

"Got really excited," he says. "I saw the score, 9-1."

Anthony's now a freshman at Arizona State -- a Division I school -- wrestling on a full scholarship.

"Now people come up to me and say I'm an inspiration," he says. "That's pretty cool."

Patrick Henry Hughes

Eighteen-year-old Patrick Henry Hughes has never been able to walk, never been able to see.

But his father, Patrick John Hughes, says, "Don't tell us we can't do something, right?"

"Mm-hmm," says the younger Hughes. "I'm kind of a person that's always gonna fight till I win."

Patrick Henry Hughes is a student at the University of Louisville, playing the trumpet in the marching band. His father has his back -- attending every practice, learning the routines, wheeling Patrick through them all.

"Well, if he's willing to give it a try, then I am, too," says his father.

It isn't easy. The elder Hughes works the overnight shift at UPS so he can be his son's eyes in class.

We've learned in the last few weeks just how well this system works. Patrick just received his first semester freshman grades -- one B plus, the rest straight A's.

And the father-son team is heading to the Orange Bowl on Tuesday. Louisville faces Wake Forest. You can watch the band at halftime.

"God made me blind and didn't give me the ability to walk," the younger Hughes says. "I mean, big deal. He gave me the talent to be able to play piano and trumpet, and all that good stuff."