My siblings and I got into Dad’s truck and made our way to the city of Montgomery, AL. Momma says that the schools in Montgomery would give us a better chance. My fifth-grade teacher told my parents that the schools where we live could not accommodate someone like me. Although the small town where we are from had limited resources for the all-students, they had even less for a girl like me.

You see I was born with CP and now that I’m going to middle school Momma says it’s important that I get all the help I need. The sixth grade is a lot tougher than elementary school. I am a bit nervous about going to a new school. I’ve lived in the country my whole life. All my close friends are my family members. My older brothers will make sure that no one makes fun of me because I walk and talk differently.

I’m worried that I won’t be able to make friends with the kid at school. What will the kids at school and I have in common?

Do they wear their hair like I do?

Do they go to church like I do?

Do their dads build houses like mine does?

Do they have older sisters and brothers like I do?

Are they all rich and live in big houses?

On the first day of school, my brother John walked with me to the bus stop. On the bus, I hear all the other kids talking about the places they went to over the summer. John and I sat in the front of the bus and gazed out of the window. The entire city seemed like a summer destination for us all of the people, the tall building, and clean cars were new and exciting.

When we got to school John helped me off the bus. I found my way to my classroom and as usual everyone got quieter when I came in the room. The teacher gave me a welcoming smile and pointed me in the direction of my seat. The teacher and I had already met during the previous week to discuss my cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a condition marked by impaired muscle coordination (spastic paralysis) and/or other disabilities, typically caused by damage to the brain before or at birth.

Before we began our first lesson the teacher asks us to say our name and tell the class one thing that we did over the summer. I was amazed at some of the things that the other kids did over the summer. I knew that I had to make the most of this opportunity. I wanted to show them that I’m no different than anyone else.

When it was my turn I said, “my name is Quince and this summer I learned how to drive a tracker.” I made sure to speak loud, clear, and tried my best not to stumble over my words. The kids in the classroom were shocked.