As the year comes to a close.....

As the year comes to a close, I intentionally take time to reflect on both my professional and personal growth. Did I achieve the goals I set? Did I overcome the challenges I embraced? This annual review has proven to be valuable, providing insights that will guide my planning and aspirations for the year ahead.

I saw a commercial of a gentleman wearing a Tux shipped by Amazon and singing in a beautiful auditorium and had a flash of memory I wanted to share.

I lived in NE Ohio for most of my life and often took my kids to Panera on weekends. At the one we frequently visited there was a program that integrated persons with disabilities into their stellar workforce. Every Fri and Sat night there was a brief show of a young man who came to a mic to sing Opera. I believe his name was Walter and he navigated a developmental disability with such grace. Walter put on a Tux after dinner and while he got ready every employee and person in the restaurant wished him good luck for his show. He sang three beautiful Arias every weekend night. Everyone cheered for him and frankly it was a weekly highlight for me.

I left NE Ohio and don’t know how long it lasted. Inasmuch as life is difficult for those of us who are disabled, this was a beautiful butterfly. Kindness, understanding, accommodation, patience, and GRACE! I got teary thinking about Walter’s family and how proud they must have been and how grateful for the kindness.

I spend my life advocating for my community and as we move into 2025, I will again challenge myself and my people to be loud and articulate about the changes needed to make the world more accessible.

Every one of us will age, navigate health issues and have bodies and brains that don’t do what we want. Let us all try to be kinder, more helpful, more accepting and most of all try to be the butterflies that make the world a better more beautiful place.

Happy Holidays to you and your families.