Day of Acceptance

​Yesterday, I spoke to students and staff at Yorkville High School as part of the International Day of Acceptance. All my life I've had to work hard to show people what I am capable of, that I'm more than my limitations, but sometimes I still feel like that's all society sees. True acceptance is something that I want to see in this world and it's something that's needed. When I talked to the students about acceptance I shared some of what I share in my book on the topic:
Self-Acceptance
"If you have ever felt different like you do not fit in or belong, you are not alone. I, too, have felt this way, and sometimes I still do. However, if you’re dealing with feeling different, you need to know that being different is what makes you unique. Don’t worry about trying to fit in or be normal. You are perfect just the way you are. As Maya Angelou said, “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be” (Angelou 2015). Realize that no one is normal. Everyone has challenges or differences that should be embraced, not seen as a mistake or something that needs to change. I believe we are all exactly who we’re meant to be. There are no mistakes. I shared how I try to never let fear or a perceived lack of inability keep me from trying something new, like cheerleading, waterskiing or writing my book. I talked about how I wouldn't change anything about my life except maybe my inability to drive. I also showed them how my service dog helps me be more independent.
Acceptance from Others
When I talked about acceptance from others, I shared how having meaningful friendships was difficult and how at times I didn’t want to go to school. I shared how it seemed like sometimes peers were too concerned with what others might think. But in college that all changed, especially when my service dog (Yazzen) came into my life.
I hope I made an impact yesterday, and I hope the students learned that people who are dealing with differences are not much different from them. I hope that when they see others who are different from them, they won't be mean, they won't ignore them or exclude them. Instead, I hope they'll say hi to them, include them in activities, talk to them, and get to know them. I hope that they won't be afraid to ask questions, even if their questions are about what makes the person different. Being friends with someone who's different, could be the best thing they do, not only for them but for the person they're befriending too.
Excerpts from my book "Making Independence Happen, © Amy Chally, 2016