Years ago when I first began my journey as a Pre Kindergarten teacher, I met a little girl named Alli. She was not in my classroom, but the room next door. Most of the day she spent going to a special needs school to help her deal with her cerebral palsy. Still, when she was with us she made all of us feel a little better with her sweet smile and personality.
One of my favorite games to play with four year olds is to tell them they are not allowed to smile. In true reverse psychology fashion, the vast majority of children enjoy playing along, willingly smiling in order to "upset" me. Alli was always one of the best at making sure I knew she was smiling!!!
A couple of years later, her younger sister was in my classroom. I got to know Alli and her family even better as I interacted with them all on a daily basis.
I no longer work as a Pre K teacher, but I do still work with the public. As a sales associate in a department store, I still manage to see Alli every once in a while when her mom or grandma bring her in to do a little shopping. Alli always has a smile and a hug waiting for me when she sees me.
Recently, a positive story on Alli appeared in the local paper on her participation in her high school soccer team. Although she worked hard at tryouts, her disability did not allow her to make a slot on the team. However, she was such an inspiration to them all they asked her to be one of the team managers. The video that follows was her team's way of thanking her for being such an inspiration to them.
The thing about Alli is, she never lets her disability get in the way of who she allows herself to BE. She goes for her goals, and even when life's little upsets happen, Alli continues on with a smile on her face. How many of us can say that?
Alli is definitely a wonderful example of BEing a light. If we were all a little more like her, the world would indeed be a much brighter place.
Alli, you are definitely my hero!!!
~CSE
One of my favorite games to play with four year olds is to tell them they are not allowed to smile. In true reverse psychology fashion, the vast majority of children enjoy playing along, willingly smiling in order to "upset" me. Alli was always one of the best at making sure I knew she was smiling!!!
A couple of years later, her younger sister was in my classroom. I got to know Alli and her family even better as I interacted with them all on a daily basis.
I no longer work as a Pre K teacher, but I do still work with the public. As a sales associate in a department store, I still manage to see Alli every once in a while when her mom or grandma bring her in to do a little shopping. Alli always has a smile and a hug waiting for me when she sees me.
Recently, a positive story on Alli appeared in the local paper on her participation in her high school soccer team. Although she worked hard at tryouts, her disability did not allow her to make a slot on the team. However, she was such an inspiration to them all they asked her to be one of the team managers. The video that follows was her team's way of thanking her for being such an inspiration to them.
Alli is definitely a wonderful example of BEing a light. If we were all a little more like her, the world would indeed be a much brighter place.
Alli, you are definitely my hero!!!
~CSE
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