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Just about everyone knows somebody with a disability, although it may not be obvious, and probably not often talked about.

Being disabled doesn’t mean that you can’t contribute to society, it just means you do it in a different way.

Justine Fedak is a marketing executive with the Bank of Montreal. In 2001 her life changed forever.

“I was on a business trip with my now CEO when I started to get numb in the left side of my body. I just thought it was the support hose I was wearing, wow they’re really sucking in my body.”

Within the next 24 hours she lost all the feeling in her left leg and back, and started feeling numb in her shoulders. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

She didn’t tell many people about her condition right away, but she did tell her boss.

“Everything you were able to do before you were diagnosed, you still can do. You feel different, but you can still have the exact same career.”

Three years later she became an executive at BMO, working on high end contracts with the Chicago Bulls, and the Toronto Raptors. Her “ability” is inspiring to her co-workers.

“Yes she has a disability, she has MS, but she doesn’t let it slow her down, she takes full ownership and delivers amazing performance.” said Connie Stefankiewicz.

“I’m inspired by someone who gets up everyday, and may not be feeling their best but their going to go ahead and take care of business and be a positive light in everyone they meet.” said Paul Gammal

This Saturday is the International Day of Person’s with Disabilities.

A physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities is a disability, and 1 in 7 people are diagnosed with one in their lifetime.

Justine says talking about her issues with others helps.

“The more I talked about the diagnosis and my struggles, the more I’ve gained strength from their stories.”

She says the key to her positive attitude is to focus on what she can do, instead of what she can’t.