Alyson spent an afternoon with a great bunch of children at Heritage Christian School sharing with them about her disability, why she is Ms. Wheelchair California, and why it's important that we treat everyone kindly, no matter if they are the same or different from us. The children (especially the girls) were so intrigued with her crown and sash and quickly asked if Alyson was a princess!
Alyson read one of her favorite stories, "Madeline" to everyone. In this story, it talks about poor Madeline having to go to the hospital to get her appendix out and how all her friends missed her while she was in the hospital. It was a great lead-in to talking to the children about what happened to Alyson when she was in a car accident almost 9 years ago and had to stay at the hospital.
Many questions were asked like, "How do you get up stairs?" and "How do you put on your clothes?" The simple questions that children ask are always so precious. Alyson posed the question, "What are ways you can tell I'm Ms. Wheelchair California?" They immediately answered "because you have a crown." Eventually, they said, "the sash," but then they were leaving the most important qualifier out! Alyson asked, "Can
anyone be Ms.
Wheelchair California?" Some said "yes" and some said "no." Eventually (through some probing), they understood that someone with this title had to use a wheelchair! It was precious!
One last group picture at the end. Thank you, Heritage Christian School, for a fantastic afternoon spending time with some of your students talking to them about the importance of accepting people with differences and allowing the children to ask inquisitive questions to further educate their young minds about people with disabilities.
Alyson read one of her favorite stories, "Madeline" to everyone. In this story, it talks about poor Madeline having to go to the hospital to get her appendix out and how all her friends missed her while she was in the hospital. It was a great lead-in to talking to the children about what happened to Alyson when she was in a car accident almost 9 years ago and had to stay at the hospital.
Many questions were asked like, "How do you get up stairs?" and "How do you put on your clothes?" The simple questions that children ask are always so precious. Alyson posed the question, "What are ways you can tell I'm Ms. Wheelchair California?" They immediately answered "because you have a crown." Eventually, they said, "the sash," but then they were leaving the most important qualifier out! Alyson asked, "Can anyone be Ms. Wheelchair California?" Some said "yes" and some said "no." Eventually (through some probing), they understood that someone with this title had to use a wheelchair! It was precious!
One last group picture at the end. Thank you, Heritage Christian School, for a fantastic afternoon spending time with some of your students talking to them about the importance of accepting people with differences and allowing the children to ask inquisitive questions to further educate their young minds about people with disabilities. 
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