“Here’s what I think: the only reason I’m not ordinary is that no one else sees me that way.” This quote from R.J. Palacio’s “Wonder” is one of the many that changed my life’s perspective. When I was younger and saw someone with a disability, my mother would whisper, “Don’t stare.” I always obeyed, looking down out of politeness, not realizing I was internalizing a dangerous message. I began to associate disability with shame, guilt, and worst of all, pity. I believed people with disabilities were fragile, different in a way that made them unreachable. But over time, I learned something that shifted everything: nobody wants to be pitied for something beyond their control. I didn’t have much exposure to disability in my early life, but literature taught me what life’s experiences had not. Through books like Wonder and Out of My Mind, I realized people with disabilities weren’t asking to be treated as “special.” They just wanted to be seen as ordinary. In fifth grade, I began volunteering in the Special Education classroom, where I learned about Autism, Down syndrome, and many other conditions I hadn’t known existed. In high school, I joined Best Buddies and later became president of my chapter before moving schools. Along the way, I found an unexpected passion: inclusion. I made it my mission to challenge misconceptions, like the idea that people needed to be spoken to like children or that using assistive devices meant they were somehow “less.” I realized that the discomfort surrounding disability stems from the same feelings that once silenced me at the store: guilt and pity. We convince ourselves that avoiding the topic is respectful. In reality, doing so only creates more distance. Though society has come a long way since the days of the offensive “Ugly Laws,” which once barred people with visible disabilities from public spaces, we still have far to go. Inclusion is not about silence. It is about visibility, accessibility, and equity. That is why my biggest goal is to work in ADA law. My goal is to help ensure that everyone receives the accommodations they need to thrive. I believe that everyone deserves a level playing field. Sometimes workplaces, schools, and public spaces need a little help with understanding and accommodating disabilities. Working in ADA law would help me have a bigger part in creating the change my soul needs to see. I know I can’t change the whole world, but I can make a difference in the spaces I am a part of. I want to keep showing up, speaking up, and doing what I can to make sure no one feels excluded or overlooked. The truth is, disability isn’t something that only happens to “other” people. One day, it could be any of us. That’s a harsh reality most people don’t think about until it affects them directly. This societal issue impacts many people, their loved ones, and those who hear about it. If I can inspire a flame, or even a spark of true inclusion in the hearts of people I meet, I will be happy with my life.