MADISON James, 1751-1836, (epilepsy),
4th US President 1809-1817, drafted the Bill of Rights. Often referred to as the Father of the Constitution. Played a leading role in the Constitutional Convention of 1787 where he helped design the checks and balances system that equalizes the roles of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. He also created the federal system.
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MANKILLER Wilma, 1945-present, (muscular dystrophy),
Her family was ordered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to move from Oklahoma to San Francisco. In 1969 while in college she did fundraising for 18 months to assist Native American students who protested the government on poor treatment of Native Americans programs with the Oakland California School System. In 1977 Wilma took the position of Economic Stimulus Coordinator for the Cherokee Nations. In 1981 she became Director of Cherokee Nation's Community Development Department. In 1979 following a car accident doctors became concerned about a strange muscular weakness. After a series of tests it was discovered that she had a strange form of muscular dystrophy. In 1983, Russ O. Swimmer ran for office of Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation and selected Wilma as his running mate. She became the Cherokee Nation's first female Deputy Chief. She was sworn in December 15 1985 as principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.
{43}

MANLEY Dexter, 1959-present, (learning disability),
American football player-defensive end, Washington, 1981-1989, defensive lineman of year, 1986, banned from NFL for life for drug abuse, 1989, currently with Ottawa, Canadian Football League.
{74}

MARSH Curt, 1959-present, (amputee)
First round draft choice of the Oakland Raiders in the 1981 National Football League Draft. His seven year NFL career high point was his membership on the 1983 Raider Super Bowl Champion team. Forced to retire in 1987 with a severe ankle injury which eventually led to a below the knee amputation in 1994. Now competes in events for amputee athletes and is a gold medal power lifter in addition to pursuing a successful motivational speaking career.

MATLIN Marlee, 1965-present, (hearing impairment),
At eight she began to perform with a children's theater group at the Center for Deafness in DesPlaines IL. Displayed remarkable talent in her first major role as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Enrolled in Harper College at Palatine, IL where she planned to major in criminal justice. She wanted to be a police officer but realized her deafness would be an obstacle so she dropped out. Before she left Harper College she learned that auditions were being held for a Chicago production of the play Children of a Lesser God. She tried out and was awarded the role of Lydia. While the play was going on, Paramount began work on a film version and she got the role for this as well. Won Oscar as Best Actress in March 1987 for her role. In 1991 she played a deaf lawyer in a series called Reasonable Doubt.
{43}

MAUPASSANT Guy de, 1850-1893, (epilepsy),
French author. Was student of Flaubert. It is believed that his epilepsy was caused by brain damage resulted from contracting syphilis as a youth. Recognized as master of short stories and wrote Pierre et Jean 1888.
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MCNICHOL Kristy, 1962-present, (bipolar),
American actress who played Buddy Lawrence on television series Family 1976-1980, won Emmys 1977, 1979, played Barbara Weston on television comedy Empty Nest, 1988.
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MCQUEEN Steve, 1930-1980, (learning disability),
American actor who was a superstar in the true sense of the word. Probably the most emulated movie actor ever. His peers called him one of the best actors in film history and his films are considered classics. The Great Escape 1963 and Sand Pebbles 1966 to name two films.
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MEHTA Ved, 1934-present, (visual impairment),
Blind writer/journalist for New Yorker and wrote several books about his life.
{56}

MERRILL Robert, 1919-present, (speech impairment),
American baritone, became one of the world's leading opera stars. Gained recognition for his powerful and resonant voice, which he combined with great warmth and superb technique despite his stuttering while speaking. First to sing 500 performances at New York Met., 1973.
{4,11}

MICHAELANGELO, 1475-1564, (mental disorder) (epilepsy),
One of the world's greatest artists. He suffered with mental illness. After 1546 he devoted much of his time to architecture and poetry. Pope Paul III appointed him supervising architect of St. Peter's Basilica which was one of Pope Julius II's unfinished projects.
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MIHALAS Dimitri, 1939-present, (bipolar),
Astronomer and educator. He has taught at Princeton University, 1964-1967, University of Colorado, 1967-1968, University of Chicago, 1968-70 and in 1972-80 at the University of Colorado. He was the senior scientist at the High Altitude Observatory, National Center Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, 1971-1979 and 1982-1985. From there he went to Sacramento Peak Observatory, Sunspot, New Mexico, 1979-1982. Los Alamos National Laboratory 1981. He is the author of several books.
{5}

MILLER Kathy, 1962-present, (traumatic brain injury),
On March 14 1977 due to an accident one of her legs was crushed and her brain was badly injured. She was a marathon runner. In 1978 she won the International Valor in Sports Award.
{33}

MILSAP Ronnie, 1944-present, (visual impairment),
Country singer who is blind. His hits include Any Day Now 1982. As a child he learned to play the violin and the guitar. While in high school he formed his own rock band but turned to country music and went to Nashville TN. In 1976 he became a regular on Grand Ole Opry.
{11}

MILTON John, 1608-1674, (visual impairment),
English poet who wrote in four different languages. Known for his masterpiece written after losing his eyesight, Paradise Lost 1667. He wrote one of the greatest eulogies ever Lycidas.
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MOHAMMED [Mahomet Muhammad], 570-632, (epilepsy),
Arab prophet and founder of Islam, 1622. Prophet of Allah. Wrote The Koran. Considered by most Muslims to have been sinless.
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MOLIERE Jean [Jean Baptiste Poquelin], 1622-1673, (epilepsy),
French playwright, wrote The School for Wives 1662. The Imaginary Invalid 1673. Moliere was his stage name. Considered to be one of the greatest French writers of comedy.
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MONROE Marilyn [Norma Jean Mortenson], 1926-1962, (speech impairment),
American actress. Ultimate pin-up girl and cult figure. Starred in Some Like It Hot 1959, Bus Stop 1956. She also stuttered.
{4}

MOORE Dudley [Dudley Stuart John Moore], 1935-present, (physical impairment),
English actor and musician. Starred in 10, 1979, Arthur 1981. Won Grammy 1974, Special Tony 1969 and 1974.
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