What Susan Boyle Taught The World

By now, you have probably received the Susan Boyle YouTube clip, an email forwarding the news story, a Facebook posting or a tweet. Susan Boyle, who recently performed on the U.K. television show “Britain’s Got Talent.” is a 47-year-old unemployed charity worker who lives with her cat in a small village in Scotland.

As soon as she walked on stage, you could hear snickers and see the reaction of the audience. She was awkward and unpolished and we expected it to be a major disaster. We all waited for her to fail. And we never saw it happen. Her voice gave me chills and I was moved because I too expected it to be a joke. The judges apologized and one judge said she had the voice of an angel. She taught us all a very important lesson that night. She responded with dignity and grace, proud to achieve the recognition she deserved for so long.

I would like to think that this viral clip, this story, will change people’s behavior on a permanent basis. That in the case of Owen, we won’t get stares from people at the park, that kids at school won’t bully him and his life will be happy and safe. I know that for some Susan Boyle fans, no longer will a person be judged by their appearance. For this, I thank you and hope you will remember this lesson beyond tomorrow. For those of you who did not see or did not feel moved, you are missing a beautiful moment. Something so rare to touch so many people.

In the past three years, my perspective has changed completely. I used to look at people with physical disabilities and not give it much thought. I may have felt sorry for them but I probably had the expectation they could not do much as I could do. Since I started doing the documentary interviews and raising Owen for the past three years, I have changed and learned so much. A wheelchair gives independence to someone with limited mobility as do braces and walkers. I used to let the equipment get in the way of really understanding the person, now I don’t even see it. How would I like you to see Owen? As a happy, imaginative, bright 3 year old with a smile that could melt your heart. Don’t let my child’s locked or twisted limbs stop you. Please do not let the disability define Owen. See Owen for who he is and who he will become.

Rather than stare, ask if you can ask questions. It’s okay, I am happy to tell you about AMC. Don’t feel pity for us, we are a happy close knit family and often times, we forget that Owen is “different.” Just as a doctor often needs to become a patient to gain compassion, many people need to walk one day in my child’s place to change their mind.

So Susan Boyle thank you for standing up and having the courage to be you. To be confident and radiant in your audition, never letting the judges take away your moment. You have become a hero for me. A hero I hope that will reach many people and help them truly open their eyes. From the moment you opened your mouth to sing, you taught us all an important lesson. Susan, you are an amazing woman and someone I will always remember.