When a society misunderstands and underestimates the capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities, opportunities are lost. Jobs that might be done go undone. Chances for friendships that might be sparked pass by. And respect that might be won is lost. For years, athletes like Hanako, Haseeb and Brina have fought the battle of misconceptions while paving the way for other people with intellectual disabilities. It’s time we stand next to them in this fight and help them reach the finish line.
The journey that started with stories of #MyNormal is coming towards a new ending with #BreakMyNorm. We shared stories of our athletes and the normal that they’ve known all their lives. We asked, and you came forward to help. Now, It’s time to help them break out of the boxes they were put in, it’s time to remove all the labels and recognize them for their true potential.
All their lives, people with intellectual disabilities have been told things they couldn’t do. They have been told – ‘You can’t get a job’, ‘You can’t be a leader’, or ‘You can’t have fun’ but our athletes and many other people with intellectual disabilities have overcome these barriers and have shattered these stereotypes, one smile at a time.
When the world changed this year, we all unlearnt the things we had known all our lives & embraced a new normal. A lot of people were feeling isolated. They experienced the normal our athletes have known all their lives.
We started our journey familiarizing people with the normal of our athletes through #MyNormal, and moved towards the next phase of our campaign with #1000CranesForInclusion – conceived by youths with and without intellectual disabilities built on hope for an inclusive world. What started off just as a mini afternoon-tea activation to engage a legion of 50-plus youth trapped indoors with boundless creativity and time on their hands took flight and we saw the global community rallying together to take part helping us hit our target many times over.
Today, we ask you to join our mission to celebrate their triumphs of overcoming all odds and breaking the limits society has placed on them. For years we have brought people with and without intellectual disabilities together to see and take part in the transformative power of sports.
Now, as the year draws to a close, and we celebrate the festivities amidst this new normal, you may be thinking of a Secret Santa gift for your year-end parties or wondering what to get your loved ones. Gift something meaningful instead personally or in their name. We hope you will step forward and support our work to help people with ID, like Hanako, Brina and Haseeb #BreakMyNorm and be a blessing to them.
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” — Carl Bard.
Take the first step by donating. The amount does not matter, your support does. https://bit.ly/BreakMyNormDonate
