I'm very thankful for a lot of things. One of those many things is the decision my mom made to become a special needs teachers aid. That decision changed my life entirely. Because of my moms job, I have met numerous amazing children. One of my favorite things is being able to go spend time with the kids in her classroom. When my mom started working with special needs children it gave me a new respect for them. I used to see someone with a disability and I'd feel bad for them and be sad for them, but why? Because they weren't "normal"? They are just a good as everyone else, and I'm so glad I realized that when I did. Some of the most amazing people I know have disabilities. You don't realize it right away, but they teach you things. They give you a new perspective. Like Tom*.

Tom* was a boy with autism that was transferred into my gym class one year because the kids in his other class bullied him. He was shy at first, but he opened up eventually. I would smile at him and say "hi" and he would nod his head. smiling at him and saying "hello" everyday when he transferred in turned into long conversations about dogs and batman by the end of the year. All he wanted was to be included. He taught me that a smile can go a long way. Kate* and Kylie* were my moms students but in different years. Kate* was her student 4 years ago, and Kylie* is her student now, both are non-verbal autistic. They are some of the sweetest girls I have ever met. If they don't want to do something, they'll make it known. Hugs are rare for them, but when needed they give them to you.They decided that, but it always felt as if I needed it more. They taught me that sometimes all you need is a hug. My best friend Ellie and I sat next to each other in chorus one year and there was a class of 6-7 amazing special needs girls that would come in and sing with us. I was more than willing to help one of the girls out, so when I was told I would be helping Carly* I was ecstatic. Carly* was non-verbal, but she was the happiest girl I've ever seen. She loved hearing the piano and the cello and she would get so excited when she would recognize some songs we sang. Sometimes she'd fall asleep on my shoulder but it was heartwarming so it was okay. She would come in the classroom with the biggest smile on her face everyday. She would hold mine and Ellie's hand and we would sing to her and she would laugh and try and sing with us too. Even on my worst days she would come in smiling and grab my hand and everything would be fine. My teacher had an idea that we should have an in-class concert since the girls usually couldn't make it to the concerts, so that's what we did. We went to the auditorium and some other classes came to watch and cheer us on. Ellie and I were on either side of Carly*, hand in hand. One of the songs I had a solo in, so when it came time, I told Ellie that I wanted all of us to go up to the front of the stage and sing it together. Carly* loved it. She was so happy. I am truly blessed with that memory. She taught me to find happiness in small things. She taught me that sometimes it's just nice to have someone next to you, holding your hand.

Joking about disabilities is inhumane. I always question people who say the R word, or people who can say that someone without a disability looks like they have one. I always want to know how they'd feel saying stuff like that in front of someone with a disability. A disability doesn't define someone. You have to look past what's on the outside and really think about what's on the inside. They are people that have changed people's lives. They are different, but they're beautifully different. They're here to help us realize that we don't need a lot of things to be happy. They're here to help us not take things for granted. They're here to live and love and take in the world, like us. My life was and is heavily impacted because of them. The world is better because of them.

* All names are changed