0 Special needs kids push to become authors

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A group of local students are embracing their differences and writing about it.

Mainspring Academy teacher Chris Ulmer is working with a group of special needs children to write a book about what it’s like to be them.

Special needs children are often targeted by other children who may not realize that words can hurt.

It's not your everyday classroom exercise:

Chris: “You’re weird.” Kevin: “Thank you.” Chris: “Sam, you’re weird.” Sam: “Thank you.” Chris: “You’re weird.” Emma: “Thank you.”

The pain of being picked on is serving as the inspiration for a book.

“People are going to call them weird. They need to embrace that and they need to celebrate it," said Ulmer. "And we need to find ways to embrace their intelligence as well."

Each student gets a chapter in the book, which begins with a biography from mom and dad before the real storytelling begins.

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“And then I started a new career, being a garbage man. It was way better than being an engineer. The end,” said Samuel Julius while describing his story of career exploration in the book.

While some kids dream about the future, others chose to write about their disability.

“If I give them tips to help, then that will make them more like me,” said 12-year-old Kevin Mager.

“They’re here, they’re yelling at you, ‘This is who I am. This is why.’ We need to embrace this, celebrate it and find ways to integrate them into society,” said Ulmer.

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“Special Books by Special Kids” is still in the writing process. The book is expected to be published in a few months, and Ulmer hopes the stories will inspire both kids and adults to understand and accept kids who are just a little different.

“They need to learn that being different is a good thing and if you see someone laughing or pointing at you, they’re the one that needs to change – not you,” said Ulmer.

“Would you rather be plain and boring or exciting and weird?” Ulmer asked the students. They kids all replied, “Exciting.”

Half of the book’s profits will go to the kids and the other half will go toward expanding the project.