This past weekend I had a chance to watch the paralympic games for the first time in my life.  It was amazing for me to watch these athletes.  They moved with such grace and determination.  Such dignity, confidence and respect for themselves.  With and without prostheses.  In wheelchair and without.  All with one goal in mind, to accomplish the un-accomplishable! To prove to themselves first, and to the world second, that they could stand up before the world and shine with glory! To show the world that they were no different-

There is so much we as disable people can do.  But we need the world to soften.  We need the world to accept us more.  we need the world to look at us the same way we look at ourselves-  And, most importantly we need to be given chances and opportunities-

We need the world to not look at us with pity, disgrace, or contempt-  or as though we are leopards, in a leopards colony. We need society to respect us- we need society to allow us to try and to pick ourselves up and try, try again.  And, we need the gift and blessing of the world to help us climb every mountain and to help us reach every dream!