MANILA, Philippines — Their stories tell of courage over adversity, positivity over disability, resourcefulness out of nothing at all. Their stories disprove misconceptions.

Most of all, their life stories have been a source of inspiration for others in the year that was.

Here is the Students and Campuses’ special education (Monday) issue’s list of the most inspiring stories of 2010.

1. Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza
She can’t walk. She can’t hear and talk clearly. Maria Kathrina or Kcat suffers from a rare disorder called Nuerofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), a genetically-inherited disorder that causes nerve tissues to grow tumors,
resulting to numerous bumps under the skin, colored spots, skeletal problems, pressure on spinal nerve roots, and other neurological problems.

But despite her seemingly numerous disabilities, she remains positive in life. In fact, this very happy girl was hailed as one of the finalists of last year’s Cebuana Lhuillier’s Happiest Pinoy for her positive outlook in life. Since being featured in this section, Kcat’s story has been re-told in several television shows. She now writes as a columnist in this section.

2. Regie Dumahog
She may not be physically disabled, but being part of an indigenous tribe can sometimes be considered a social disability, especially in the field of education. Not everyone in Regie’s Subanon tribe gets to have proper education. Living in the outskirts of the town of Calamba in Misamis Occidental, Northern
Mindanao, the Subanons thrive and live only on farming.

But Regie chose to dream beyond geographical boundaries and social discrimination, becoming more than just a farmer but someone that the whole tribe is now proud of. Last year, with the help of World Vision Philippines’ Child Sponsorship Program, Regie overcame the stigma that indigenous people are mostly under-educated, if not illiterate, by being the first Nursing graduate of the Subanon tribe.

3. Angie
Born with Congenital Amelia, Angie has no arms. Still, she can paint using her feet, and is quite good at it. Her disability didn’t stop her from doing what she loves to do.

Currently residing in Hospicio San Jose orphanage in Manila, Angie paints mostly flowers and angels, things that inspire her and make her very happy. The nuns at Hospicio and some generous individuals continue to support Angie’s gift in the arts.

4. Norberto Rayray
HeHe is not your typical band member because Nor has no left arm, while his right arm and hand are underdeveloped due to unknown causes. Yet, Nor pushed himself to do something he really loves – music. He learned to play the keyboard in church, while playing for the gospel band. His amazing talent and courage was highlighted around the country as their band, Ezra, became one of the finalists of last year’s Pilipinas Got Talent.

5. Mark Steven Gaspar
At five years old, Mark’s ear was infected, causing him hearing loss. From then on, his world became silent.

But his love for education pushed him to move forward. He graduated at the top of his class in high school at the Southeast Asian Institute for the Deaf. He continues to excel, and is now mainstreamed at Miriam College with regular students as a BS Psychology major.

6. Minnie Aveline Juan
Currentlybased in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, Minnie is a special education teacher whose love for educating children with special needs came from her own disability. She is blind.

But Minnie proved that her blindness is not a hindrance. She graduated valedictorian from elementary and high school, and then magna cum laude at Trinity University of Asia, finishing AB English.

7. Fr. Luke Moortgat, CICM
This priest is an advocate for the poor and the disabled. He currently heads the Handicapped Center Lourdes (HCL) which caters to abandoned children with special needs. The foundation operates under the Episcopal Commission on Health Care of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

This Belgian-American priest is also the founder and president of St. Luke Reach Out Foundation, Inc., which caters to the homeless people of Metro Manila. Their group finds and helps homeless people to help themselves, believing only in one thing – love and respect for the least, the last, and the lost.

8. Denisse Limcuando
A scholar of Ballet Manila, Denisse’s love for ballet began at an early age. Surprisingly, she dances with total grace even if she can’t hear the music! Denisse is deaf.

Aside from dancing, this senior high school student also excels in academics, graduating with honors from elementary at the Philippine Institute for the Deaf. Her latest feat was her inclusion in the cast of the recent ballet production “The Nutcracker.” She now trains to become a professional ballerina, and at the same time, trains her sights onto becoming a superb baker.

9. SEM Fighters All-Deaf Basketball Team
The Philippine Institute for the Deaf (PID)-Integrated School of the Philippines (ISISP)’s SEM Fighters all-deaf basketball team is one group that is always ready to fight, whether against similarly deaf teams, or a hearing team.

The team proved that communication on the court is possible even among hearing-impaired people. They have already won several games against hearing teams. Each member of the teams plans on continuing basketball in college, and hopefully become varsity members.

10. Victor Francisco Chem
Victor or Vico is the 19-year-old person with autism (PWA) who loves to draw. He sketches on paper and also draws digitally using the computer. He is the first Filipino PWA to have a one-man exhibit and has been featured in a TV show as well. Because of his talent for the visual arts, Vico is now one of the famous PWAs in the autism community.