Today I watched one of the most powerful movies I have ever seen. Including Samuel, a documentary film, examines the educational and social inclusion people with disabilities as a civil rights issue. I connected with the film on so many levels, but I want to share two quotes from the film that struck home for me.

Samuel's Mom says, " Now that I am so close to a person with a disability, I can't believe that I was so blind to what people with disabilities deal with everyday. There was this huge civil rights issue, this huge amount of prejudice going on and I never noticed it before."

Now, unlike before Garrett was in a wheelchair, I notice when a place is not accessible to all people. Now, I notice how people treat other people that are different. I marvel at Garrett's ability to be friendly to everyone he meets and how he makes all people comfortable around him whether he is walking or "rolling."

Samuel's dad has this to say in the movie, “Samuel has changed the way I look at everyone around me. He has taught me not to prejudge anyone by how they talk, or how they move or see or hear. He has taught me not to make assumptions.”

Garrett has taught me so much as well. Dystonia never defined Garrett (although I had a real fear it would in the minds of those that did not take the time to know him.)

Hopefully Including Samuel, will help the people that see the film recognize that we all have so much more to us than meets the eye - and we have to look past the color of our skins, the shapes of our bodies, the kind of car we drive, even look past the way we move or talk to discover the people we are inside.

Check out the film at www.includingsamuel.com