Wow! These inspiring kids are changing how the world views special needs

A passionate and inspiring special education teacher has gone above and beyond for his beloved students – as well as children with special needs all around the world.

Florida teacher Chris Ulmer started website Special Books by Special Kids with the goal to help people better understand students with special needs. He wanted to world to see what he saw – that even though these children are ‘different’ they are amazing in their own way, they are just as worthy as other students and they add a precious value to the world.

On the site Chris shares the journey himself and the students he’s had for the past three years have been on together through stories, videos and pictures in order to “show the true nature of [his] amazing students”, as well as stories from children with special needs all around the world.

The site is the result of Chris reaching “boiling point” a number of months ago at the way society stigmatises children with special needs. He knew he had to do something.

In an open letter he posted on the Special Books by Special Kids Facebook page he said simply (and beautifully): “As a special education teacher I have students with a variety of conditions but they all share one common element; they are pure. They represent love and everything that is right in this world. But yet, it seemed as if 99% of society could not see this.”

“I knew I had to do something. I called together the parents of my students and proposed the idea of starting a class blog that openly discussed each diagnosis with access to the children. I fully was aware that this was unheard of and could cause complications for my career. I did not care. These children deserve to be heard, loved and appreciated. The world needs to understand that in many ways, the children have it right. We need to learn from them.”

Chris first came to the global media’s attention when a video of him complimenting his students in class went viral. The idea behind the ‘daily compliment’ was to build the children’s self-esteem and foster self-belief that they were worthy and precious.

Thanks to Chris’ approach he says the children are now more confident than ever before and they participate in activities they previously would have shied away from before,

“They aren’t afraid to be themselves anymore,” Chris told Popsugar.

We think this in particular is amazing. To truly be yourself is sometimes the most difficult thing in the world and these children are up against challenges many of us couldn't begin to imagine.

We are in awe of Chris' passionate commitment and brave innovation in his work with these kids and inspired by the gift he and his precious friends are giving the world: both to those with special needs and those who need a little help understanding them.

Chris is never patronising or impatient with his students and the respect and appreciation he has for them shines through. In fact, the impression we get is that he is learning more from them than they are from him. 

If you would like to get involved with the wonderful project and share your story you can do so here.