The UNICEF luncheon I attended last week with Joyce Rey was very profound and inspiring when thinking about all of the people in our world that overcome obstacles and make life better for everyone around them. One of these people is Lucy Meyer. She spoke at the luncheon focused on children with disabilities and described her heartwarming journey with cerebral palsy. She is on quite the mission to help the world’s children with disabilities and provide them an environment in which they can play, learn, participate, and have fun.
Hi Everyone!
My name is Lucy Meyer and I really want to help UNICEF’s children with disabilities. I have cerebral palsy because I didn’t receive oxygen for five minutes at birth. It was a mess and very scary for my parents. (When I was just a few days old, the doctors said that I would most likely never sit up or swallow.)
I am now 13-years-old. My cerebral palsy affects my eyes and spoke a little. My right-hand doesn’t work as well as my left one, and my right heel won’t touch the ground–so I am a “toe walker.” School subjects are a little tougher for me than most kids and I can’t button my pants!
BUT . . .with a little help I play soccer, softball, handball, basketball, tennis . . oh and I love to surf, swim, bike ride, and skateboard! I am in the Special Olympics this year! I am having so much fun just being me!!
I attend a public elementary school. My school practices what UNICEF is doing to help the UNICEF kids–they include kids with special needs! The school makes accommodations for my learning and physical disabilities and, most importantly, lets me contribute to making the school a better place! Last year I was voted Assistant Secretary of my school and this year I was voted Vice President. I am having a total blast!!
I know some people see my disabilities, but for me, most of the time because of the environment that I am in, I forget that I have cerebral palsy!
It’s not “big medical breakthroughs” or the latest and greatest medical treatment that are making such a difference in my life. Rather, it’s people!! I wish I could tell you how great I feel at just being included and how special I feel that everyone (even people I don’t know) finds ways to help me so I can participate.
I love being with everyone–you are all so supportive–thank you!!!
My Goal: Help UNICEF’s Kids with Disabilities
I want to help UNICEF’s kids with disabilities. UNICEF is making a huge difference by teaching others how to include kids with special needs. It makes me sad when kids cannot go to school, cannot play sports, and cannot do things that kids like to do. I want UNICEF to make it so that kids with disabilities can play, learn and have fun just like kids without disabilities.
What You Can Do To Help UNICEF and Me
I have created a fund for UNICEF to use to help kids with disabilities in developing countries go to school, play, and have a better life. To start this fund, I have to raise at least $50,000. Once that amount is reached, UNICEF will start using these funds to help kids with disabilities—so I really want to reach this amount as soon as possible!
I was the honorary host at UNICEF’s luncheon to help kids with disabilities in developing countries on January 30th. I spoke about UNICEF and I LOVED it!!! If you want to see my speech, you can google “Lucy Meyer Unicef” or please go to YouTube [copy and paste in the browser if the link doesn't work].
Cara Yar Khan, UNICEF’s specialist for kids with disabilities spoke about what UNICEF is doing to help the kids—she was amazing! If you want to know more about Cara, you can see what she is doing on YouTube here [copy and paste in the browser if the link doesn't work]. I have added pictures of the luncheon on this website page. It feels so good knowing that we can make a difference for these kids. I want them all to be included and for their parents to not be ashamed of them—every kid should feel special—it feels sooo good!
PLEASE join me in helping UNICEF make a better world for kids with disabilities.
Thank you!
Love,
Lucy