This week, we started our new read aloud: Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling. This realistic fiction/humour/mystery novel follows Aven, a 13-year-old girl who was born without arms. So far, we’ve learned that Aven has a very strange sense of humour (like telling people she lost her arms wrestling alligators) and has worked her whole life to be self-sufficient. But when she moves to a new school, her classmates either try to help her, avoid her, or stare at her because she is different.
Many people are born with disabilities (and different abilities), just like Aven. Feel free to watch the video below of Sophi, a girl who was also born without arms. She is an amazing, independent, and confident person!
Please remember: not every person who has a disability is the same, and not every disability is one that you can ‘see’. We should treat everyone with respect, understanding, and empathy.