Starting a new school can be challenging for any child, but it can be especially hard for a child with a disability. This was the case for Lucy Cook, a 15-year-old with cerebral palsy, who felt anxious all summer about transitioning to a new high school, as reported by NBC News 12 in Arizona.
After spending six years in a small private school, Lucy prepared to attend a high school with over 2,000 students. “She was stressed about it,” her mother, Stephanie Cook, shared with NBC 12. “She was worried about whether the kids would like her, if they would tease her, or if the teachers would know how to help her if she encountered any problems.”
Stephanie shared her thoughts on Facebook about the importance of “intentional kindness” before Lucy's first day at the new school. In her post, she emphasized that all students, regardless of their abilities, feel anxious about how they will be treated and that simple acts of kindness can significantly alleviate these fears.
Here’s an excerpt from her post:
“Lucy fears other kids might tease her because of her cerebral palsy. She worries they might mock her smaller right hand that doesn’t fully open, the way she walks, her body not looking how she thinks it should, and her inability to do everything other kids can. She’s concerned that they might not like her or that she won’t make friends. She’s also worried about navigating her new school and handling her classes. She’s scared that if she has a seizure, her new teachers won’t know how to help. And she fears being lonely and missing me while she’s away.
These worries are somewhat unique to Lucy but similar to many kids and teens' concerns. When people are made aware of these issues, they often step up. Please consider talking to your children about kids like Lucy.
Teach them that Lucy faces challenges daily that may seem overwhelming, but like everyone else, she wants to be loved, valued, and accepted.
Teach them that they have the power to lift others or bring them down and that their actions can make a big difference. Encourage them to be brave and reach out to those who seem lonely.
Teach them to avoid becoming so absorbed in climbing the social ladder that they forget how it feels to be at the bottom. Sharing kindness doesn’t diminish our own; it’s a magical thing.
Teach them that everyone is fighting their own battles, often unseen and that a smile, wave, or kind word can change someone’s day for the better.
Stephanie also highlighted the importance of not using the “R-word,” explaining that it is derogatory and offensive to people with intellectual disabilities. She urged parents to teach their children to understand this, comparing it to using racial slurs.
Stephanie’s post received positive responses from her community and people online. Reading these messages boosted Lucy's confidence as she faced her first day at the new school.
“My first day was great, amazing, awesome,” Lucy shared with News 12.
Stephanie emphasized the importance of kindness when speaking with Good Morning America. She suggested that all kids think about two critical questions daily: “I ask my kids after school,” she said. “Were your friends nice to you today? And were you nice to your friends?”
Stephanie’s message reminds us that we all have the power to be kind and never know who might need a little support.
“We should make it a habit to look for people who might need our friendship or give people the benefit of the doubt because everyone is struggling with something,” Stephanie told Good Morning America. “When kids understand this, they do better and support each other.”