That we all bring something to the table, we all have abilities and disabilities. I never understood how people treated people with disabilities as a “tragedy” until my husband and I had a daughter with Downs syndrome. A neighbor once came to my house after quite a few beers and told me she cried for me each night. I was surprised and asked her why? She said because my daughter was born with a disability. We do not see our daughters disability as a tragedy. We see it as a difference, she has some disabilities but quite a few abilities. I have tried to spend my life since my daughter was born (she is 25 now) spreading the word especially to children that it is okay to be different. I did not understand that as a kid and tried so hard to fit in with everyone. Not realizing that someday I would have a child that is different, she looks different, acts different and is different. Maybe that is okay and we have strengths in our difference. Maybe the world would be super boring if we were all the same.

If we could get this message to children at an early age – I think we would have less bullying and less stress to be like everyone else. It is time to embrace our differences we all have abilities and disabilities. It is okay to think and look different.

– Debra Ruh, Managing Director, Ruh Global