60 Lessons I Have Learned From My Brother With Special Needs | The Odyssey Online
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Health and Wellness

60 Lessons I Have Learned From My Brother With Special Needs

Those with disabilities teach us way more than we think.

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60 Lessons I Have Learned From My Brother With Special Needs
Haley Parramore
  1. Always think the best of people.
  2. Don’t know a word? Just make one up.
  3. Love with everything in you.
  4. Don’t care what others think.
  5. Sunroofs are better when you stick your hands out of them and yell.
  6. Lady Gaga is always a good idea.
  7. Always go for the dress with glitter/sequins covering the entire thing.
  8. In fact, anything with glitter or rainbow colors is always better.
  9. Don’t bottle your emotions up.
  10. You’re never too old to cry.
  11. There are mean people in this world.
  12. Life is precious.
  13. Individuality is a beautiful thing.
  14. Say what is on your mind.
  15. Ask why.
  16. Color sorting M&Ms makes them taste better.
  17. Following a schedule is important.
  18. Sometimes you need to tell yourself “make good decisions.”
  19. Struggles I have are trivial to those of my brother.
  20. Be kind to everyone and never judge.
  21. It’s our responsibility to advocate for those who can’t.
  22. Do what you do with passion.
  23. Include everyone.
  24. Messes can always be cleaned up.
  25. Express yourself.
  26. Sometimes there just aren’t answers.
  27. There is more than one way to do things.
  28. Know what you can do and what you can’t.
  29. Not everyone understands sarcasm.
  30. In life, you must try new things.
  31. You are never too old to color.
  32. Know that you are awesome.
  33. Sleepovers in the living room are super fun.
  34. It’s okay to be picky about your pizza.
  35. You can’t force someone to understand what you are talking about.
  36. Parents of those with disabilities are real-world superheroes.
  37. Laying out your outfit before bed is always a good idea.
  38. We can't get mad at people for not understanding.
  39. We can, however, seek to help them understand.
  40. It can't be really hard to hold yourself together at family functions.
  41. Family is always there for you.
  42. Accept people for who they are.
  43. Life is black, white, and all the shades and tints of grey.
  44. If you don’t want to play baseball, sit and fill your hat up with dirt.
  45. Some of us struggle physically, some of us struggle mentally, and some of us just struggle.
  46. Everyone’s struggles are different.
  47. Don’t cuss going through airport security.
  48. You meet some of the friendliest people in the grocery store.
  49. When we die we go and “live with god in his house — he has a big house.”
  50. The future is scary.
  51. Being patient is really hard.
  52. People we love more than life itself can frustrate the hell out of you.
  53. Dance like no one is watching.
  54. You are more than enough.
  55. Disabilities result in abilities others do not have.
  56. Be proud of where you are in life at this current moment.
  57. When you don’t understand why someone is upset just give them chocolate.
  58. Everyone has their kryptonite.
  59. God made each thing about you just the way he wanted to.
  60. Treat people the way you want to be treated.
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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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