I think being “normal” is just plainly overrated! There are so many people in this country that want to fit in with everyone else that they lose sight of the fact that being different is something to truly take pride in. Now, to be fair in this day and age where bullying has become even more of an issue whether in the school yard or in cyberspace it makes trying to fit in and be part of the ‘in crowd’ even more important. But let me be a contrarian for a moment and offer my take on why it’s good to be a little different. For people with disabilities being a little different comes with territory- whether looking different physically or even behaving a bit differently.  

Kids with disabilities have had to develop a thick skin to deal with the taunts and in many cases the outright meanness of others.  Yet it is that thick skin and feeling a bit of an outsider that made me come to realize that being a little different is a good thing and should be embraced.  

In doing my own research I found that those kids that were thought of as a little odd and not exactly the ‘norm’ often grew up to be truly extraordinary. Take for example technology scions Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg. Both of these men were not part of the ‘in crowd’ and really were never accepted into the social circles were the jocks ruled. While I maybe simplifying this somewhat it was that feeling of being different that drove them in new ways and sparked their creativity that launched a revolution.

I think parents should embrace their child’s eccentricities. Particularly for kids with disabilities, it are these quirks that will not only make them interesting but also galvanize them to see the world in new ways and in many cases offer the world something original that can impact many. As the President said in his State of the Union we must be a country of innovation to compete and in my humble estimation being normal doesn’t cut the mustard.

Jonathan J. Kaufman, PhD, is President of DisabilityWorks, inc. (www.disabilityworks.com), a strategy/consulting firm based in New York City focusing on issues of disability and aging with corporations, governments, educational institutions and non-profits. Born with Cerebral Palsy, Jonathan's disability has been a profound part of his personal, academic and professional life. Follow on twitter @disabilityworks