Ryals likes to focus on the positive. "As my experiences grow, I keep wanting to rephrase and change the word disability to a new word, 'diff-ability.' Throughout my life, most people noticed my deformities and looked at my disability, while my friends and family focused on my different abilities," he said.

I sometimes use the word 'diffability' because it says different abilities and people do have different abilities. We all do. But some are especially different and — and deserve some special attention.