“I’ve always been a rule follower. When they said not to chew gum, I didn’t chew gum. When they said not to use your cellphone, I didn’t use my cellphone. But today, in the spirit of defying expectations, and for perhaps the last time at this podium, I say..."
"He walked into a mess. My son, Sailor, is three years old. He was born with two rare brain defects and he is blind. He is unable to communicate his needs, and today has been rough for him. He has been crying all morning."
"I know what it’s like to see parents and children stare at your child, laugh at them or worse…walk away from them. People would understand if your child looked different, if you were pushing them in a wheelchair or if they had a walking frame. I see your child’s disability even when they don’t look disabled."
"I see you running your child to therapy when your friends are running their kids to Little League. I see you slipping out the of conversation when your friends are all chiming in about milestones and test grades."
"You can tell me to screw off BUT it’s pouring, my daughter was supposed to have senior pictures outside. She is in a wheelchair...There were serious tears from all after taking in everything."
