What would the world look like if we all accepted each other? What would it look like if people were appreciated for what’s on the inside rather than the outside? Would the world be a happier place? Absolutely!

My so-called “handicapped” body (seeing as how I don’t have arms) allows me to watch how society acts around people with special needs. As an Inspirational Speaker, I often get to tell my audiences that society sees me as handicapped way before it sees me as a person.

My 18 month old daughter recently learned that she could hold my left foot while I drive my powered wheelchair with my right foot. She does this when told and sometimes just for fun. She can hold on to me so that she stays save in crowded areas.

What is amazing to me is my daughter’s complete and total acceptance of me as her dad despite not having arms. She views me with admiration and unconditional love. She doesn’t see me as handicapped or disabled. She sees me as her daddy.

When I speak, one of my favorite topics is how to see people instead of labels. Our labels hinder our societal growth so much so that in order to be politically correct, we’ve come up with additional labels to replace the old ones as the old labels are now seen as inappropriate. While that is a good step to take, I believe we are treating a symptom of a bigger problem.

Call me crazy, but I think we have the potential to see the true potential in others before we label them. Think about it…without labels, everyone would be on equal ground. No more hatred or bigotry could exist if we all saw people as human beings instead of limiting them with labels.

Want a world with no war? See the “enemy” as a human being. Want to abolish poverty? See the “homeless” as people. We CAN change the world simply by how we view it. The task is yours, and it begins with changing the way you see the people around you. You can change the world one person at a time.