children with disabilities

Profiles five young people from around the world who have overcome personal challenges, and discusses their projects that make the world a better place and what they have inspired others to do.

Relates the author's personal experiences with bullying, describing how she was harassed as a child because of her degenerative muscle disease and eventually appeared with her similarly disabled dog, Izzy, on Animal Planet before launching a public speaking career.

Arlene leads a student movement to reduce the carbon footprint of her classmates and finds opposition from the school principal.

Seventeen-year-old Marek feels alienated from the disabled kids in the support group he attends because of the physical disfigurement he suffered from an encounter with a dog, except for a beautiful girl in a wheelchair named Janne.

The author of the popular blog Enjoying the Small Things interweaves lyrical prose and stunning four-color photography as she recounts the story of the first year of her daughter Nella--who has Down syndrome--and celebrates the beauty found in the unexpected, the strength of a mother's love, and, ultimately, the amazing power of perspective.

Eighteen-year-old Jarra, one of the unlucky few born with an immune system that cannot survive on other planets, derided as an "ape" and a "throwback" by the rest of the universe, is on a mission to prove that Earth Girls are just as good as anyone else, except now the planet she loves is under threat by what could be humanity's first ever alien contact, not only is her specialist knowledge and bravery challenged, but she must discover if the rest of the universe considers Earth worth fighting for.

Provides information for parents of disabled children about the process of special education, from preschool through college, covering a variety of topics that include screening procedures, counseling and therapy services, and medication information.