Interviews with six disabled individuals from the Center for Independent Living in Berkeley, California are presented to explore myths and misunderstandings about handicapped persons. The individuals, who are partially sighted, physically disabled, and cerebral palsied, discuss their experiences growing up with a disability, attending school, coping with family and friends' reactions, and adjusting to social attitudes. Suggestions are made for helping to demystify disability for young nonhandicapped children. (CL)