The Potential of Human Will

  The Ted video that inspired me for my iSearch project is one called, Aimee Mullins: The opportunity of Adversity". It heavily relays the point that adults in power have the key to children's potential happiness and faith in themselves. I agree one hundred and ten percent with that idea. Listening to her speak on the importance of preparing children for adversity rather than trying to shield them from it, or "to overcome adversity" made my skin quiver. I have always had the same beliefs! To hear someone who grew up as an amputee say that she is not normal, not common, but who she is... was the breaking point for me. I appreciated her optimism about her life and the life of others. She is correct; there are no normal people in the world. What is normal anyways? Everyone has their own struggles and problems whether it is physical or emotions. The only normal thing in society is the discouragement cast upon those who seem to be. or to have a less than common lifestyle. 

          Where this video will take me in doing my iSearch is how as a culture, we disable the disabled with the power of words. Specifically, how a childhood diagnosis can embed a stigma and brand a child for the rest of their lives. They then go on to believe that they are for example, mentally retarded and cannot do what other children of the common mindset can do. However, studies have been done that proved that not only could they actually excel and overcome their handicap but they could meet it head on and become someone better than anyone ever could have expected! A child will achieve unless they have been made to believe that they could not. I believe and hope to be able to prove through my iSearch Project that the power of educating the "disabled" with positive words will do more than give them a common frame of mind, but it will bring out their inner potential.