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Do you have a good values-based story to tell? It doesn’t have to be perfect to make a difference in someone else’s life.

Dream Big

Abusive childhoods are known to send messages to kids. Entering my 1974 high school graduation year, my father’s messages convinced me that I was not smart enough for college. My only goal was to marry a man who would love me as much as I loved him. When that goal failed, my focus turned to being the best mom I could be, excelling at my waitress job, and serving people with respect and kindness, traits my mother taught me. Fifteen years of prompt service and daily repetition sprouted a seed of desire for something more. I wondered about my capabilities to achieve, to learn. Salvation appeared through a work-related upper back injury, a painful, and yet beautiful daily reminder of the decision I was forced to make at age 38. I’m not smart, so what could I learn? Could everyone attending college be that much smarter than me? In 2010, with three years teaching experience behind me, and my Master’s degree in special education achieved with a 4.0 GPA, I now understand that intelligence is mainly a matter of how hard a person is willing to work, learning within their ability, and believing in themselves. My goal today? Inspire teen students to believe in themselves and their dreams, even with a diagnosed disability, maybe even without family support. In the face of physical, emotional, and mental limitations, still dream. Dream big.

Submitted by Diane Strong