Lowry demonstrates a sensitivity to people with handicaps and the way they are often resented by "normal" people in the world, either because they are seen "not to contribute" or because they are shown special consideration for their handicaps that others are not. Kira has been taught to be ashamed of her deformity, but she refuses to let it make her less of a person. Like many other people with handicaps, her physical weakness is compensated by her mental resolve and her extraordinary talents.

Gathering Blue also demonstrates that there are many people in the world who see past a person's handicap. In this story, Thomas never seems to notice that Kira has a crippled leg; and Kira's friend Matt seems determined to find ways to help her compensate for her infirmity. Often in the narrative, Kira or someone else mentions that it is doubtful that...