On October 15, 2010, I attended the International Women’s Forum Gala in Montreal, QC. Four dynamic women were inducted into the International Hall of Fame, including Montreal’s own, Julie Payette, an engineer and Canadian Space Agency astronaut, and an officer of the Order of Canada. She is the first Canadian to participate in an International Space Station (ISS) assembly mission and to board the ISS.
Julie talked about how so many young girls before her had dreams of doing great things; but, of course, they were told to stay home, have babies and take care of the family or to choose a “feminine” role, if they must work. She asked, “How many of those girls had other dreams?” … Wow, this really hit me hard.
As I heard this great woman speak, I thought about children with disabilities and their dreams. I’m sure so many of them had dreams of greatness and were told they could not do it. How many of those children had the bar lowered, and told, “It just can’t be done. You just cannot do it.”
We know better though. We know that people with disabilities can do great things and that many have accomplished greatness in life. We know that President Roosevelt used a wheelchair and lived with polio and yet is known as one of the greatest President’s of all time.
When you are talking to a young person with a disability, I have a favor to ask of you. Do not focus on what that young person cannot do. Focus on what he or she can do.
Julie Payette knew better. She knew that even the sky was not the limit.
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