Our daughter is a teacher.

A Special teacher!

And she is one of the many thousands who are called to a vocation of teaching

Special individuals

who deal with Intellectual Disabilities.

But she (and others like her) remind us they are more appropriately considered:

Special ABILITIES.

Abilities that demand our RESPECT!

The Special Olympics community has a beautiful campaign which reminds the world of this Special gift & have developed a campaign to better educate us all!

“The R-Word Campaign” is one our family, and thousands of others like us, are happy to support!

Each year we have the opportunity to recommit when we travel to Fairfax, Virginia to witness a wonderful event our daughter orchestrated for her high-school community.

Fan Quest is a beautiful program which affords Special-needs students the opportunity to compete in the athletic realm with their peers. We have proudly watched from when our daughter first took this fledgling program to her high-school in Virginia, until just recently…..

and oh my, has it grown!! 

Not only in size, (both in participation & attendance,) but in the acceptance of each individual’s ABILITIES!  

As by-standers, we have humbly witnessed an entire change in the culture of a school!

 

Last year; however, our daughter & son-in-law moved back to our hometown and although we celebrated this return with great glee; leaving this high-school, her administrators, colleagues, and especially her Special students was a painful feat.  When Fan Quest rolled around this past February they invited her back for a Special tribute to honor the work she began for them – while Cuppycake & I watched from afar with abounding hearts.

 

Since moving back home a local high-school was fortunate enough to bring her on staff.  She has done a marvelous job laying the foundation for another new program, which I am certain will bring about the same wonderful awareness which occurred in her former teaching position.  I cannot tell you how excited I am for this school, because I already know the gift that awaits them!

A Special gift…for ALL who partake.

Whether athlete,

or in assistance,

or peer.

Because,

we are all Special fans!

And partakers in the one great cause…

of “Spreading the word to end The Word!”

For the reason that language affects the attitude

and attitude affects the action!

So no matter where you reside, please won’t you join in!

Make your pledge to only use Respectful, people-first language!

hugs n’ blessings to all the POSITIVE teachers who teach us the POSITIVE in life!