LANGE Dorthea, 1895-1965, (polio),
Dorothea made her home in Northern California and owned her own photography studio. Some of the most prominent families in San Francisco paid her to do their portraits. She was hired in the 1930's to document the condition of the California farm-workers in photographs.
{43}

LANIER Hal, 1942-present, (epilepsy),
Baseball player and manager, Houston, 1986-1988, Infielder 1964-1973.
{4,76,80}

LEADBELLY [Huddie Ledbetter], 1885-1949, (physical impairment)
Known to the world as "Lead Belly" he survived a life that included extreme poverty and long stretches in prison to become an emblematic folk singer and musician. He is best remembered for his songs Rock Island Line, Goodnight Irene, The Midnight Special and Cotton Fields. The latter part of his life included the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease).

LEAR Edward, 1812-1888, (epilepsy),
English artist and author of Nonsense Verse. He reportedly had complex partial seizures everyday or two throughout adulthood. Limerick writer and known for Owl and the Pussycat 1891.
{12,27}

LEIGH Vivien, 1913-1967, (mental disorder),
Stage and screen actor who starred in Gone with the Wind.
{21}

LENNON John, 1940-1980, (learning disability),
Founding member of the Beatles, most popular group in the history of rock music. Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote most of the Beatles music. He played rhythm guitar, piano and sang.
{11,14,20}

LERNER Alan Jay, 1918-1986, (visual impairment),
American dramatist, lyricist and composer. Known for collaboration with Loewe, won two Tony's, two Oscars and a Grammy, including film/play Gigi 1958, 1974. He was blind in one eye.
{4}

LEWIS Carl, 1961-present, (learning disability),
American athlete ranks among the greatest sprinters and long jumps in track and field history. He twice set a world record in the 100 meter dash and ran the final leg on eight world record relay teams. Competed in Olympic Games in 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1996. Won 9 gold medals which tied for highest total Olympic track and field history.
17,36,85}

LINCOLN Abraham, 1809-1865, (mental disease),
16th President suffered from severe, incapacitating, and occasional suicidal depression.
{55,85}

LINDSAY Vachel, 1879-1931, (epilepsy),
American poet. Believed poetry should be performed rather than simply read. Some of his poems, such as The Congo 1914 included stage directions. His poems feature strong rhythm and vivid images.
{14}

LLOYD Harold, 1893-1971, (physical impairment),
American comedian and actor. Highest paid film star of 1920's, noted for thrill-comedy scenes, won Special Oscar in 1952. He was missing two fingers from his right hand.
{4}

LORDE Audre, 1934-1992, (visual impairment)
She was very nearsighted and loved to write poetry as a child. In 1960 she received her master's degree in Library Science. Her first book of poetry was published in 1968 The First Cities. In 1978 she published The Black Unicorn. Following a mastectomy Andre examined many issues in American health care. In her book, The Cancer Journals, she explores both the emotional and political aspects of having cancer.
{43}

LOUGANIS Greg, 1960-present, (learning disability),
Olympic diver has dyslexia and AIDS. Considered the greatest diver in history.
{85,86}

LOW Juliette Gordon, 1860-1927, (hearing impairment),
Founder of the Girl Scouts. Due to childhood illness that left her susceptible to infections she became hearing impaired.
{43}