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• Defying expectations
• Putting things into perspective
• A full scholarship to college
• I'll find a way to do it, disability or not

Defying expectations

I’ve always been optimistic because I grew up in not the greatest household in the world. I grew up with, “You’re not going to do this. You can’t do that. You can’t do this. You can’t do this. You can’t do that.”  I got told at eight years old that I was never going to graduate--ever. Once I heard people tell me I’m not going to graduate, my Irishness kicked in and I was like, “Tell me I won’t again!!” If you tell me I won’t get my high school diploma, I’m going to do it just to aggravate you. I could have finished high school one year early, but I stayed an extra year because if I left early they would have given me a coded transcript.  I didn’t want my transcript coded because if I could do it the normal way, I’m going to do it the normal way. Whatever that is…

-Robert, 21 years old

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Putting things into perspective

It seems kind of crazy, but I want to play women’s football. And I know that will be tricky because you have to use your balance for everything. And so maybe I’ll be a back up dancer for a pop star, or something like that. I don’t know which one, but I know I have to put it in perspective.

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A full scholarship to college

The most rewarding thing is to be able to set challenges before you and surpass them, even with my weakness.  My greatest accomplishment was being awarded a full college scholarship.

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I'll find a way to do it, disability or not

Fortunately, I don’t plan on doing extreme sports or anything that would be significantly affected by my disability. I plan on being a writer. I think if I find something I am really passionate about, I’ll find a way to do it, disability or not.

-Stephanie, 14 years old

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