"Yes" and "No". Two of the simplest, shortest, but most powerful words. One has the power to lift a person up; to motivate them to achieve their dreams, to push them to never give up. The other has the power to tear a person down, to fill them with doubt, to influence them to stop trying. "Yes" and "No".

As adults, it is up to us to encourage our children to never stop dreaming. It is up to us to inspire our children to plant seeds and wish on stars. It is up to us to remind them that it is not about what they see or hear. It is not about how they get around. It is not about what they look like. It is about what they do with the life they have been given.

As an author, educator, and advocate, I am committed to this task. I am committed to being a supporter of those who need support. I am committed to being a cheerleader for the dreamer. I am committed to being a Gardner for the next generation. And I hope you will join me. A part of fulfilling that mission means ensuring that this story, my story, a story for anyone who has ever had a dream, can be accessed by all readers.

When I was a little girl, I had many wonderful dreams. I dreamt of dancing across glorious stages for crowds of people. I dreamt of traveling the world. I dreamt of becoming a teacher, sharing my experiences with the next generation of dreamers. When I was a little girl, after a night of dreaming, I would spring from my bed excited to share my dreams with anyone who would listen. But as I shared my dreams, I noticed something that made my heart sink. People began to frown. People exchanged worried glances. People told me, "no". And then I met someone who told me, 'Yes, you can do anything!" and my life was changed forever.