Disabilities in HP?

[pegruppel]

No: HPFGUIDX 60160

Shanna wrote:
> > I'm coming out of lurkdom for a moment with a random 
> question I just thought of.  I'm curious what would happen if for 
> some reason a disabled person were to attend Hogwarts or 
> another similar magical institution.  I realize this is completely 
> hypothetical and not likely to ever be included in canon, but as 
> someone with a visual disability, I have to wonder.<<

Pippin:
> It is in canon! Mad Eye Moody is has a magical prosthetic eye 
> and a wooden limb. He (or rather, Crouch in his shape) 
> managed just fine at Hogwarts, so I suppose a student could get 
> along too. We also have Remus Lupin, whose werewolf curse is 
> a disability. Then there's Wormtail with his artificial hand, and 
> Harry with his occasionally disabling curse scar. I also got the 
> impression that Ernie Prang, the driver of the Knight Bus, is 
> nearly blind.
> 
Me:

I think that Squibs, by the standards of the WW, might be considered 
disabled.  As Pippin wrote, physical disabilities seem to be less of 
a problem for the WW, since wizards and witches seem to be able to 
enchant objects to help them out.  I don't think that's just any old 
table leg that Moody's got.  Squibs, on the other hand, are 
outsiders.  They can't ever do what all their friends and family do 
quite as a matter of course.

And even then, there's a place for Squibs at Hogwarts--consider 
Filch.  He's grown up knowing he'd never fit in.  Still, Hogwarts has 
a place for him.  No, he's not fun to be around, but at the very 
least Dumbledore wants him to have a place in the magical world.

I do *not* consider Neville a Squib, or almost a Squib, or even 
inept!  Like most people on this list, I think he's been injured by a 
bad memory charm.

Peg