Yup. There is a big difference between the lack of interest in learning something and the ability to do it. But when the need arises, many can do it.
Kind of like I guy I used to work with. He owned a hammer, a pliers and 2 screwdrivers. And avoided doing anything with them if at all possible. He had never even changed a tire on a car. But, when he got a leaky roof and didn't have the money to hire a new one put on he managed to roof his own house.