A few days ago, I had the opportunity to meet and attend a lecture being given by Jonathan Mooney, author of a recently published book called “The Short Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal.” In his book, Jon uses the setting of an epic road trip to recount his childhood of growing up with severe dyslexia/ADHD. He purchases a short bus (yes, the big yellow kind that they use to take the “special” kids to school) and drives it across the U.S., along the way meeting and interviewing youth who, due to learning disability, have been misunderstood as being abnormal, stupid, lazy, etc.

Do you remember that stretch of 10 days, about 3 years ago in September 2004, when Athens was electric with the excitement and athleticism of the Paralympic Games? These three years have zoomed by, and we again find ourselves a little over a year out from the Beijing Paralympics. It's amazing how much life has passed before our eyes over these last three years, how much we've all changed, and how much potential lies within the next 12 months.