My friend Claudius

"Senator: There are those who say you cannot hear properly, you cannot speak properly, and that you've got no experience of government.

Claudius: And that I am besides half-witted. Senators, it is true that I am hard of hearing, but you will find it is not for want of listening. As for speaking, again, it's true I have an impediment. But isn't what a man says more important than how long he takes to say it? It's true again I have little experience of government. But then, have you more? I at least have lived with the imperial family who has ruled this empire ever since you so spinelessly handed it over to us. I've observed it working more closely than any of you. Is your experience better than that? As for being half-witted, well, what can I say -- except that I have survived to middle age with half my wits, while thousands have died with all of theirs intact." -- I, Claudius

One of my favorite historical figures is Claudius. Most people are unaware of Claudius since classical education was removed from school curriculums many years ago.

What stands out about Claudius was his ability to survive. Claudius lived during the early years of the Roman Empire and was the grandson of Mark Anthony and great-nephew of Julius Caesar. He was born into wealth and prosperity, but what sets him apart from his relatives was that he had a disability. In all likelihood, Claudius had cerebral palsy or polio. The historian Suetonius noted that he had weak knees, his head shook, he stammered and his speech was confusing. When he got excited, he slobbered and his nose ran. Other historians claim he walked with a limp and had only partial use of one of his hands.

Growing up, he was mocked by his grandmother, his cousins, nephews, nieces and the general public. In fact, for most of his life he was hidden behind closed doors because his family was embarrassed about him. He spent most of his time reading and studying and talking to the household slaves. Due to the fact that most people considered him an "idiot," he survived the political purges of emperors Tiberius and his nephew Caligula. He was not even considered a threat or one with political aspirations. When his nephew Caligula was murdered in 41 A.D., the Praetorian Guard proclaimed Claudius leader of the Roman Empire.

At first, Claudius refused the position because he did not feel he was prepared, especially for the military aspect of the job, but he was eventually persuaded to accept the position after he was threatened by death if he did not.

As the leader of the Empire, Claudius showed that a disability was in fact an ability. It not only protected him from being eliminated by opponents, but also gave him the time necessary to study Roman history, religion, philosophy, bureaucracy and other topics that an emperor would typically ignore. He was able to learn from previous leaders mistakes. In fact, Claudius was probably one of the best leaders Rome ever had. He participated in court proceedings and rendered verdicts based upon the law and not from bribery or political influence. He flushed out corruption from the civil service. He had an ambitious building program that included new aqueducts, roads, buildings, etc. He expanded the empire to include Britain, Thrace, Lycia, Judea and other territories. In his spare time he wrote several works including his own autobiography, a biography of Augustus, a book on the history of Carthage and a book on the history of the Etruscans. It is also said that he was the last man who could read Etruscan. All of this from a man everyone considered a buffoon.

Appearances can be deceiving, and in Claudius's case, very deceiving. This is the same type of stereotypes that people with disabilities live with every day.

All we see is the outside and the disability; we don't see the ability in them. We could all learn a valuable lesson from Claudius and get to know people prior to making decisions about them.