When I wrote this blog, Brian was starting his freshman year. Today was the first day of his senior year and I thought I’d recirculate this letter one last time. I wish for all students and teachers a happy and healthy school year.

Dear students,

You have an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.  Don’t be afraid to take that opportunity and step out of your comfort zone. Don’t let a classmate with exceptional needs give you pause. Understand that these 4 years in high school might just be the best 4 years of my child’s life and I invite you to be a part of that. He thrives on routine and in school buildings with teachers and aides. He would be happy going to school 365 days a year. These 4 years are not the springboard to higher education like they are yours. He’s not thinking of colleges or Greek life or turning 21. He’s not thinking of the homecoming dance next month or getting his driver’s license or having a girlfriend.  He doesn’t care if he is wearing cool clothes or the hippest shoes or if he will sit in the student section at the football game. His thoughts are simple, pure, innocent, and above all nonjudgmental.

He is thinking of you. Yes, you.

You students are a critically important part of his world.

He is relying on you to acknowledge him, to smile at him and to greet him. Even though in so many ways he is different, he is relying on you to treat him like a peer.  He is trying to figure out a world that seems to come at him at 100 miles per hour, and your understanding and support will go a long way to helping him succeed.  He probably will not be able to reciprocate your friendship and support in any typical way, but it will mean the world to him.  And it is not just Brian who needs your support.  It is every kid in every school struggling to get through the day the best that they can.  I know it seems I am asking a lot.  Navigating life as a high school student is challenging for every kid.  It is not easy to make the effort to view the world from a perspective outside yourself. I, too, went to high school so I know this, but in reality, I am just asking that when you have the opportunity to treat Brian or any student with a disability with kindness and respect, do it. You will make their day and you will benefit in ways that can’t be measured except by the internal knowledge that you did the right thing for no other reason than it was the right thing to do.

I hope you know that I know many of you are already doing this and for that I am beyond
thankful! I’m trying to reach those that are unsure and for any reason reluctant. You may be too young to understand this, but true happiness and fulfillment comes from within and reaching out to others just may fill your heart more than you can even imagine. As you struggle through the daily grind of high school, remember that the best way to change the trajectory of a bad day is to do something selfless for someone else.  It costs nothing but the return is priceless.

I have faith in you. 🙂