The Friends are currently reading WONDER in Book Club. Here is one Friend’s inspirational reflection on the book. Every Friend has a story and we are honored when a Friend entrusts us to share it with the world.

Life is a Journey, by Allan B.

“Auggie, a character in the book, WONDER, that we’re reading in book club, kind of reminds me of myself, because I’ve had to face some adversity and challenges in my life similar to Auggie. But through my life with the adversity I’ve faced, I’ve decided to just trust God and my family, and just be myself because the Lord has blessed me and made me the person I am for a reason, and I have a purpose, and God has good plans for my life.

I use my disability to the best of my abilities and to inspire people to chase after their dreams or ambitions. Being yourself is a really great thing and showing love to others is probably one of the greatest gifts in life. I’m all about inclusion and trying to inspire or encourage people, and I advocate for people with disabilities.

Everyone deserves to be loved and to live an amazing life filled with positivity and joy. Everyone has a passion and goals in life and everything you go through in life is for a reason! God’s grace is amazing and he loves us, and his grace is amazing. Through everything in life God’s plan is greater than our plan!!! Everyone has a purpose!

Take every opportunity as it comes and be happy and blessed!!!! I thank God every day I am living out my dream. Every day I am living out on my own and enjoying every day, I have an amazing support system, and I am happy living in Nashville.

Keep working hard and success will come – but also try to be an inspiration to people and touch people’s lives and make an impact and having faith is everything! Be a blessing in someone’s life! Reach higher in life! God will pull you through everything in life, you just have to believe in him! Live a great life!!!

Everyone has a voice! 7p Deletion Syndrome is my story which makes me the person I am! I love my life and I’m doing great things and work for an amazing company and professional sports team!!! I live my life to inspire and motivate people to chase their dreams and don’t give up. I’m making my dream a reality and I’m grateful and I’ve had a lot of success, but it took me a while to see where my journey led me to the job I have now and to be the person I am today. Everyone just needs the right opportunity and to be given a chance. Life is a journey and you just have to have motivation and drive and the right attitude, and you just got to be yourself and be surrounded by the right people in your life family and friends etc. who encourage you to be the best you can be in everything you do. Every challenge we go through in life is an opportunity to overcome and succeed in life. Wanting to be normal, I never quite understood why I felt that way. What’s the point of being normal? That sounds average to me, and I never felt like I was created to be average.” 

“Let your disability be your story.” – Isaiah Austin