Use What You Have: Lessons from Batman for Disability Services, Education and More
Of all the superheroes I grew up watching, Batman always stood out to me. Unlike Superman, Spider-Man, or Wonder Woman, Batman doesn’t have supernatural powers. He can’t fly, doesn’t possess superhuman strength, and doesn’t shoot webs.
What he does have is resourcefulness, grit, and an unshakable drive to use what he already has—his mind, tools, and courage—to make a difference.
That’s why I find him so relatable. Batman reminds us that we don’t have to focus on what we lack. Instead, our greatest power comes from using what we already have.
Why Do We Fall?
In Batman Begins, Bruce Wayne watches everything he loves—the Wayne family legacy, his home, and his sense of identity—burn to the ground. He’s crushed, disillusioned, and ready to give up.
It’s Alfred, his trusted friend and mentor, who asks one of the most thought-provoking questions I’ve ever heard:
“Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.”
That line resonates deeply with me because falling has been a literal part of my life. Living with cerebral palsy, I used to fall often—sometimes multiple times a day.
A Fall I’ll Never Forget
One of the scariest moments happened on a winter night when I was making my way from the bus stop to my apartment.
The snow was nearly a foot deep, and ice covered the sidewalks. A few hundred feet from safety, I slipped. My phone flew out of reach. I couldn’t get traction on the ice. Panic surged through me.
I was freezing, hurt, and scared. Nobody was around to help.
At that moment, the only choice was to use what I had left. My legs weren’t working. My lower body was frozen. So I used my arms, my elbows, my determination. I crawled through the snow and ice, inch by inch, until I reached my door and pulled myself to safety.
I didn’t get there by focusing on what I didn’t have. I got there by using what I did.
That night changed me. It showed me that sometimes grit and resourcefulness matter more than strength or perfection. It reminded me that falling doesn’t have to define us—it can teach us how to rise.
What This Means for Disability Services and Education
Often in disability programs, schools, and nonprofits, the focus understandably falls on deficits—on what someone cannot do.
But people thrive when they discover what they already have and learn how to use it.
Batman never wasted time wishing he had Superman’s powers. Instead, he leaned into his detective skills, tools, and persistence.
The same principle applies to the individuals we serve.
Instead of asking “What’s wrong?” try asking:
What skills, talents, or passions does this person already have?
Where have they shown resilience before?
How can we create environments that highlight those strengths?
The Power of Perspective: Grit as a Survival Tool
That icy night taught me something else: survival often depends on perspective.
When I fell, my mind raced with fear. But once I shifted my focus to what I could do, I found the strength to keep going.
The same is true for organizations and individuals:
The shift isn’t about ignoring challenges—it’s about reframing them so the story doesn’t end there.
Breaking the Cycle of “Just Getting By”
Too many people, especially those with disabilities, feel stuck in survival mode. They fill their days with tasks that keep them afloat but don’t spark joy or growth.
But survival is not enough.
When we help people use what they already have—creativity, humor, problem-solving, grit—they begin to thrive.
And when organizations model this mindset, they create programs that don’t just support people—they transform lives.
Reflection Prompts
Here are a few reflective questions you can use personally, in team meetings, or with program participants:
When you feel like giving up, who or what inspires you to keep going?
Can you think of a time when your grit and determination made all the difference?
What’s one strength you already have that you can use more effectively?
What cycle or habit in your organization could be redefined from “surviving” to “thriving”?
What new habit can you start this week to build momentum?
A Final Word: Be the Batman in Your World
I don’t know your exact challenges right now. Maybe your organization is underfunded, your staff is stretched thin, or your participants are struggling with setbacks.
But I do know this: Focusing on what you do have opens the door to resilience, creativity, and transformation.
Batman teaches us that we don’t need superpowers to make a difference. We just need to use what’s already in our hands.
And sometimes, like Alfred reminded Bruce Wayne, the falls we experience aren’t the end of the story—they’re the beginning of a stronger one.
So ask yourself today: What do I already have that can make a difference?
The answer may just change everything.
This blog was adapted from a chapter in my book:
📘 I'MPOSSIBLE: Life Lessons on Thriving with a Disability
If this message resonates, I invite you to explore more of my story—and consider sharing it with someone navigating a similar path.
Sam Miller is the founder of Dreaming Made Simple. Born with cerebral palsy, he helps individuals and organizations reframe limits, find purpose, and unlock new possibilities through coaching, speaking, and workshops.
📬 Want More Resources Like This?
Subscribe to the I'MPOSSIBLE Community Newsletter for stories, tools, and mindset shifts that inspire action in your life and leadership.