Tiffany

One of the most important jobs we have as parents is to recognize, celebrate, and help develop the unique set of traits, gifts, and strengths that each of our children has. But what we lose sight of sometimes is how our kids can flip the script on us and help make us better people. After just a few minutes with our friend Tiffany, you can tell that she is going to have a much greater impact on your life than you’d ever expect to have on hers. Despite her physical limitations – Tiffany has cerebral palsy and currently requires the use of a wheelchair to get around easily – she has an aura about her that is practically impossible to describe without experiencing it yourself. She is incredibly intelligent, eternally optimistic and excited about her future, and committed to working hard to reach her goals, including shedding that wheelchair and walking across the stage to receive her high school diploma. And friends, have no doubt – she will do it, with that huge smile of hers shining and her eyes excitedly scanning the room for you. In that moment that your tear-filled eyes meet, it will be difficult to tell who is the proudest, you or Tiffany, but you’ll both know that you are different people – better people – because of each other. All because you saw a photo, read a bio, watched a video, and took a chance. Take that chance, folks. She’s worth it, and so are you.

Age: 16