Working with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities is not for everyone, I get that, but that does not mean that I have some special ability to care more than others. When I say I want to be a special education teacher, or that I love spending time with children with special needs, I cringe at the responses like:

"You're an amazing person for spending so much time with those kids."

"Oh you're so special for wanting to teach kids like that."

Or my least favorite: "Those kids are lucky to have you in their life."

I am not the special party in this situation. I spend my time with children with special needs because they are the most enthusiastic, loving, and all around positive people I know, and I love seeing their smiles light up a room full of people. I want to become a special education teacher not because I feel like children with disabilities need me, but because I love to watch them grow, learn, and accomplish new things, and I hope to be a part of their learning process one day. And, contrary to what most people think, they are not the lucky ones; I am.

Over the last few years - between volunteering with, nannying, and observing children with special needs - I have seen more love, more kindness, and more curiosity about the world than most people may see in a lifetime. I do not feel accomplishment for myself when I spend a day volunteering with Special Olympics or observing in a special education classroom, but I feel pride and happiness for every achievement someone makes.

Sure, being patient and calm in situations that may be difficult, or caring for someone who has an intellectual, developmental, or physical disability full-time are qualities that you do not see in everyone. However, the ability to care for others and be happy with any company is not a sixth sense that only special education teachers have.

Everyone is too caught up in their own lives to recognize that it does not take a special person to strike up a conversation with someone at the grocery store, or to include everyone in a social event, or to simply slow down and enjoy the people around them, all people.

This separation, this overwhelming idea that people with disabilities need someone to bring purpose to their life, is the reason behind the disapproval shown towards others. If everyone showed the smallest amount of love or kindness each day, then they would better understand each other.

I am not a special person for showing care towards others. I did not choose this particular career path to better myself. Every day I have the opportunity to watch as someone accomplishes something new, and the smiles that follow are the brightest sight to see. I am nothing special, but I am constantly reminded that there are special, beautiful, and loving people all around me.

Please, do not tell me that I am an example of what is special in the world. I am simply a person who enjoys life and all the amazing people I meet along the way.