Tori Amos once said "Some of the most wonderful people are the ones who don't fit into boxes," and that statement could not be more true. During my senior year of high school, I became a teacher's aide for the special education class and that is a decision I will cherish for the rest of my life. Working with those kids, I discovered much more than students. I discovered rays of light full of endless love, radiant joy, and constant laughter. While I may have helped them with homework for their inclusion classes or arts and crafts projects, nothing will ever compare to the things they taught me about life, love, and friendship.

All too often, people are quick to assume that the label "special needs" is a reason to pity or feel sorry for an individual. I'm here to tell you that that is wrong. The kids of Mrs. Dzuirlik's class are so much more than their IEP files or their disabilities. They laugh in the face of obstacles, always look on the bright side, and lift each other up constantly. They don't harbor hate and they don't know prejudice. Their hearts are open and their hands are helping, with their words kind and their smiles big.

They have unique personalities and hopes and dreams.

They have best friends.

They have crushes.

They love Halloween and trick or treating.

And puppet shows and Christmas presents.

They dress up for prom.

And they can out dance anyone I know.

They hit home runs.

And love hunting for Easter eggs.

They enjoy field trips to the zoo...

and chicken fingers at Zaxby's even more.

They love Snapchat selfies.

And going to pep rallies, too. But above all...

They love each other and everyone around them.

My buddies have a passion for life that many only dream of. They live, and love, and laugh bigger than any group of kids I've ever met, and they comprehend more than you can imagine. And so the next time you look at someone and see their disabilities, look again. Maybe you'll see a person full of love and life. Maybe you'll see a kind soul and a caring heart. And maybe you'll see so much more than meets the eye.

I've yet to encounter a group of kids like my buddies and I'm doubtful that I ever will. They have changed my life and opened my heart in ways I never knew were possible and I'll always be grateful to have been a part of their out-of-the-box lives.