There are many things that I want to change to make the world a more caring place, but the main thing I want to change is the negative mindset held towards those with disabilities. In order for the world to be a more caring place, we must work towards inclusion. The unfortunate reality is that there is a major stigma behind those with, both intellectual and physical, disabilities, and this is a major problem.
Fostering a community of friendship and understanding are of the utmost importance. The first step to this is understanding that our differences make us special, not less worthy. I believe that the best way to understand each other is through the power of words. At my school, I noticed that students in special education classes were isolated from the other students at my school. This made me very upset and I wanted to find a way to connect with them more. In the attempt to unify all students at my school, the first ever Unified Club was created during my junior year. I knew that this was a movement that I wanted to be a part of and had to join. This club gives students with and without disabilities the opportunity to connect and develop strong relationships in fun environments. As a student leader for Unified Club, I help plan and promote our outings, holiday parties, game days and fundraisers for the Spread the Word campaign. From these experiences, I have formed relationships that I will forever cherish. These deeper friendships would not have been formed without the power of words and the desire to learn from different perspectives.
I think that words play a significant role in the feeling that can be brought to someone. Words can tear people down; however, words also have the power to spark change, resolve problems, and make someone smile. I vowed to use my words to lift people up, rather than to bring them down. No matter the race, gender, sexual orientation or intellectual ability of a person, we must take the time to understand what makes them them.
The Unified Program taught me the importance of remembering that each one of us is different, but that does not make us less. My fantastic friends in this club have showed me the necessity for cultivating love and showcasing our unique qualities. There are various different factors that make up a person, not just one. Understanding this is key in being more caring, which will help people see beyond the disability. Taking the time to understand people with various perspectives will help contribute to growth. I think that inclusion is very important and nobody should feel like they do not belong. When we choose to include, we are able to connect with others and genuinely care for them. Caring for one another creates powerful bonds, which will, in turn, spark more happiness in our lives. Listening to someone else’s viewpoint can change a life; it can make someone know that they belong, change a person’s outlook on life and foster a true, caring community.