What does Judy Heumann mean when she says, "the barriers we're facing, in many ways, are external to us"?

What Heumann mean is that the barriers they face (due to the disability) are just external (outward) -- this means that internally, there are no barriers. What they can do and achieve as a result of inherent potentials cannot be hindered by their external barriers.

Explanation:

Heumann reveals that disability does not mean that they are disadvantaged as people may think. She said that people will think that those of them with disabilities will rather choose not to have it. Even though they face barriers; those barriers are just outward and does not bar their internal potentials and talents.

Dear sister

I am writing this letter to tell you the news of my stay in this place so new to me.

I met a very interesting and intelligent little girl, who reminds me a lot of you and allows me to kill a little homesickness and our moments together. Her name is Maggie and she plays the piano, I always ask her to play for me, like you did, but she doesn't seem very confident in playing and I never get a chance to listen to her.

Maggie's family is very friendly and they treat me well, although they have several superstitions about India and some kind of crazy mysticism that may exist. I find this very funny, because it shows me the view that other cultures have of us. As they are very sympathetic I never say that they are not sure about Indian mysticism, I just say that I do not know such concepts, or I do not see any revelation through the artifacts that they show me.

I hope you are all well and look forward to seeing you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Your brother, Gupta.